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Bangor City Forest
4.8 ★★★★★ 856 Google reviews · Running trail in Bangor, Maine · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- 9 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Bangor City Forest's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
650-acre recreational area featuring hiking & cross-country ski trails & a bog boardwalk.
What runners say about Bangor City Forest
“The Bog walk boardwalk is also super nice, well maintained with lots of informational plaques about the environment and wildlife/birds who call the bog home.”
“The forest and the crunchy gravel paths, then the bog walk is a boardwalk through various areas of a wetland, including a wide open space with great views.”
“Great trail system with well-marked checkpoints and maps, which made it easy to navigate.”
“Even though the parking lot was full, the trails didn’t feel crowded at all, only passed a few people, so it was still a peaceful nature walk.”
“They are well-kept, easy walks and certainly worth an afternoon or even just an hour to go explore.”
Lots of nice trails. Well maintained and not too crowded. Bring bug spray or wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, because there are mosquitoes and biting flies in places. Still, a nice place to walk. Update - we have been here 4 times now and it's always a great experience.
Upon arriving at the park, we found the parking lot full and proceeded to park along the entry road. The entry to the park was clean. We head to the bog walk. It has been upgraded with trex like material and was very clean. We enjoyed our stroll and met other folks either walking or sitting during their journey.
It's always so nice and peaceful. There are multiple trails including the board walk. Trails are well marked and mapped. When you do run into others in the trail everyone is friendly and nice. There are places to sit, bike trails, a porter potty, and different types of terrain to walk on which is nice.
With an unusually beautiful 70-degree day in November, the trails were rightfully busy. They are well-kept, easy walks and certainly worth an afternoon or even just an hour to go explore.
Trail conditions & character
“The Bog walk boardwalk is also super nice, well maintained with lots of informational plaques about the environment and wildlife/birds who call the bog home.”
“Even though the parking lot was full, the trails didn’t feel crowded at all, only passed a few people, so it was still a peaceful nature walk.”
“The forest and the crunchy gravel paths, then the bog walk is a boardwalk through various areas of a wetland, including a wide open space with great views.”
“Even though the parking lot was full, the trails didn’t feel crowded at all, only passed a few people, so it was still a peaceful nature walk.”
“Great trail system with well-marked checkpoints and maps, which made it easy to navigate.”
“Bonus points for having restrooms available and being dog-friendly.”
“Bonus points for having restrooms available and being dog-friendly.”
“Over 600 acres of forest and almost 10 miles of trails.”
Plan your run at Bangor City Forest
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- Distance9 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitecityforest.bangorinfo.com
- Phone(207) 992-4490
Running trails near Bangor
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 55 reviews
80.5 acres of forested wetlands with hiking/biking trails, scenic views & wildlife sightings.
Orono Bog Boardwalk
4.9 ★★★★★ 305 reviews
Scenic place featuring a boardwalk that traverses a bog habitat, plus trails and benches.
Walden-Parke Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 74 reviews
Nature conservation is a focus at this 410-acre area with many habitats including beaver wetlands.
Central Penjajawoc Preserve
4.2 ★★★★☆ 50 reviews
Vast, 182-acre preserve of forests & fields offering a narrow walking trail in a tranquil setting.
