A companion beach town to Ogunquit, Wells has a few wonderful and unique running options. There are beaches, quiet roads, and the particularly gorgeous running at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm.
Wells Reserve at Laudholm. This National Estuarine Research Reserve is a treat for running. There are more than 7 miles of trails through open grasslands and marshes, with great colors and wonderful water views. The trails are generally flat, with good footing. It’s easy path & trail running. We haven’t designated a specific route but here’s a Trail Map. The Muskie Trail & Barrier Beach/Laird-Norton trails are favorites. Add with more miles along the beach. Good access and a large parking lot. Note: Entrance fee required, in season.
Wells Reserve. Great Runs
Run the Beach. The beaches in Wells and Ogunquit are among the best for running in New England. Flat, wide, with consistent firm sand. There are two good sections, with a break in between: From Ocean Ave. south to Ogunquit, 2.4 miles. Or, north of the break, from the Wells Beach Lobster Pound at Crescent Beach, north to the break at Wells Harbor, 2.0 miles. At low tide you can do the whole 4.4 miles seamlessly, although a short section is more rocky than sandy. MAP
Ocean Ave./Webhannet Dr./Atlantic Ave. One can run on quiet roads along the water for 4.5 miles between Moody and Wells Harbor. This area is a mix of waterfront cottages, inns, motels, beach access points, and occasional ocean views. From Rt. 1, it’s 0.4 miles on Ocean St. to the pedestrian bridge, and then another 2 miles along Ocean Ave. along the beach, to Moody Point. Continue north on Webhannet Dr. and Atlantic Ave. to the end at Wells Harbor. Run as much as you want here. MAP
A companion beach town to Ogunquit, Wells has a few wonderful and unique running options. There are beaches, quiet roads, and the particularly gorgeous running at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm.
Wells Reserve at Laudholm. This National Estuarine Research Reserve is a treat for running. There are more than 7 miles of trails through open grasslands and marshes, with great colors and wonderful water views. The trails are generally flat, with good footing. It’s easy path & trail running. We haven’t designated a specific route but here’s a Trail Map. The Muskie Trail & Barrier Beach/Laird-Norton trails are favorites. Add with more miles along the beach. Good access and a large parking lot. Note: Entrance fee required, in season.
Wells Reserve. Great Runs
Run the Beach. The beaches in Wells and Ogunquit are among the best for running in New England. Flat, wide, with consistent firm sand. There are two good sections, with a break in between: From Ocean Ave. south to Ogunquit, 2.4 miles. Or, north of the break, from the Wells Beach Lobster Pound at Crescent Beach, north to the break at Wells Harbor, 2.0 miles. At low tide you can do the whole 4.4 miles seamlessly, although a short section is more rocky than sandy. MAP
Ocean Ave./Webhannet Dr./Atlantic Ave. One can run on quiet roads along the water for 4.5 miles between Moody and Wells Harbor. This area is a mix of waterfront cottages, inns, motels, beach access points, and occasional ocean views. From Rt. 1, it’s 0.4 miles on Ocean St. to the pedestrian bridge, and then another 2 miles along Ocean Ave. along the beach, to Moody Point. Continue north on Webhannet Dr. and Atlantic Ave. to the end at Wells Harbor. Run as much as you want here. MAP
A really fun run with great water views and a variety of sights and terrain. It includes a tour of Peirce Island, and then the Memorial Bridge over to Kittery, ME. For a longer run, explore the streets of Portsmouth or do a section of our New Castle route.
There's more to Kittery than outlet stores! We've put together a route map that mainly follows Rt. 103 and then Chauncy Creek Rd north toward York. This is the best spot in the area for water views. Up to 3.4 miles one-way.
One of our favorite runs in southern Maine. Scenic beachfront running, gorgeous homes with ocean views, and a historic lighthouse -- all one run! Run these separately or combine for a 10k loop. The beach is also runnable.
This is a lovely run incorporating the best of historic York Village and the seaport town of York Harbor. Much of the route is along waterside roads, including Wiggly Bridge over the York River, Fishermans's Walk, and the Cliff Walk in York Harbor.
One of our favorite beach runs in New England. The 2.4 miles on the beach between Ogunquit and Wells are wide, flat, open, and offer consistently good “beach running” conditions. Numerous access points.
Fantastic ocean views along the 1-mile shoreline path between Ogunquit and Perkins Cove. 2.2 mile loop with a run back along Shore Rd. For a longer run, enjoy the side streets off Shore Rd. or a section along Ogunquit Beach.
Wonderful waterside running in this popular summer report area. In Kennebunk, run for nearly 2 miles along Beach Rd., paralleling Kennebunk Beach. In Kennebunkport, the run along Ocean Ave. is one of our favorites in Maine.
A fantastic beach for running. It’s nearly 7 miles from the southern end at Camp Ellis to the northern end at Pine Point, with great views of Saco Bay and Prouts Beck. Flat and wide, with firm sand.
Wonderful rail-trail between Kennebunk and Portland. Mainly inland, through woods, marshes, & farms. Completed section is 28 miles (15% on-road). A 37-mile on-road section from Kittery to Kennebunk is also marked & mainly on low-trafficked roads.
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!
Run the Beach. The beaches in Wells and Ogunquit are among the best for running in New England. Flat, wide, with consistent firm sand. There are two good sections, with a break in between: From Ocean Ave. south to Ogunquit, 2.4 miles. Or, north of the break, from the Wells Beach Lobster Pound at Crescent Beach, north to the break at Wells Harbor, 2.0 miles. At low tide you can do the whole 4.4 miles seamlessly, although a short section is more rocky than sandy. MAP
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!