Mackworth Island Trail

The state park on Mackworth Island is a place to walk for scenic views, but there’s so much more here (including people and their dogs — it’s a very popular walk). The island is about 100 acres, and the path around its perimeter is about 1.5 miles. There are two places where walkers can leave the main path for the shore via short flights of steps, on the east and west sides of the island, to access beautiful beaches. Additionally, there are side paths close to the parking area to the beautiful sandy beach.

The mostly flat path is packed gravel the entire way, and you’re never out of sight of the ocean. There are occasional roots. Benches are set up along the path, including a couple of swinging benches. You can walk out on a granite pier built during the Civil War for the Union soldiers who were stationed at an army camp on the island.

The island was once owned by Governor Percival Baxter, who must have been a huge animal lover because he created a pet cemetery for his many Irish setters. Walkers can visit the graveyard by departing from the main path down a short side path. Also at some point fairy lovers took over parts of the trail, and now at the base of dozens of trees you can find creative fairy homes made of sticks, bark, moss and stones. The state park also shares the island with a school that serves deaf children.

Because this is a state park, you have to pay a small fee to visit, and the parking lot fills up fast on weekends and nice summer days.

Directions: From Rt. 295 headed out of Portland, take your first exit to Falmouth onto Route one. Shortly after crossing the bridge, take a right onto Andrews Ave. There are three parking spots right before the causeway and a parking lot for about 20 cars on the island, at the trailhead.