Mackworth Island Trail, Falmouth

The state park on Mackworth Island is a place to walk for scenic views, yes, 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 circumference 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. Additionally, there are all-access side paths close to the parking area down to the beautiful beach.

The island was once owned by Governor Percival Baxter, who must have been quite an animal lover because he created a pet cemetery for his many Irish setters. Walkers can visit the cemetery by departing from the main path just a short ways. 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, barks 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.

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 some parking spots before the causeway and a parking lot for about 20 cars on the island itself at the trailhead.