Piney Knoll Conservation Area

This property is owned and managed by the Orono Land Trust and has a nice network of trails, not far from downtown. The trail network is rather complex, and there are also unmarked trails not shown on the map. However, it is still pretty easy to navigate, thanks to trail markings and a a detailed map of the official trails. There are multiple trailheads to choose from, and I found that the ones with the best parking were the trailheads on Marsh Avenue, Colburn Drive, and Hillside Road.

The trails mostly wind through forested uplands with a high point on a small knoll covered in large pines giving the area its name. Two of the trails end at the railroad tracks, and it seems like there are some unofficial trails on the other side of the tracks, which I didn’t explore. I found the section of the Long Trail between Colburn Drive and Peter’s Field to be the most enjoyable section of trail to walk in the network. The trails were relatively busy, with a variety of bikes, hikers, and dog walkers out and about. It is a nice little trail network, and it is easily accessible from the University of Maine at Orono and the many surrounding apartment complexes.

Here’s a great map of all the trails in the region.

By Sam Shirley

Directions: There are quite a few different trailheads for this conservation area! The ones with the best parking are on Marsh Avenue, Colburn Drive, and Hillside Road. All three of these are easily reached off of Route 2 and have trailheads marked on the map.