Little River Preserve, Gorham

This 28-acre preserve, protected by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, is wonderful place to walk along a river through cool, shady woods. Little River flows slow and languid in some stretches, and speeds up bit in others, creating small rapids around stones.

There are two nice spots to stop and rest by the river, marked with red icons on my map. The one off the big loop has a small, sandy beach, while the spot along the shorter loop brings you to moderately high sandy banks above the river. You might be tempted to dunk! These sandy areas could be affected by the river’s water level.

The big loop is a bit under a mile (for a total of a ~1.2-mile walk, including the first leg), and the shorter loop is about 0.5 miles. This little loop, along the white trail, contains some steep, short pitches up and down along the river. The land trust has added a few ropes to steady walkers but doesn’t maintain the white trail regularly.

From the trailhead, the trail begins in a thicket, opens onto a field and then meets Aspen Lane. Turn right on the road and look for the trail starting again in about 100 yards, on the other side of the road. 

Directions: From Gorham, take Rte. 202 north approximately 2.25 miles out of Gorham where you’ll see Little River Drive. Pass by the first and second sign for Little River Dr., and go just beyond the second sign. There is a pull-off on the left with a kiosk. You can park here. Follow the trail from here, across the field onto Aspen Lane, and then into the woods and along the Little River.