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Bayside Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Running trail in Portland, Maine · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface: Paved
Distance: 100 mi
Shape: Not reported
Shade: Not reported
Access: Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Bayside Trail'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.

Bayside Trail — running trail in Portland, ME, photo 1

Bayside Trail — running trail in Portland, ME, photo 2

Bayside Trail — running trail in Portland, ME, photo 3

Bayside Trail — running trail in Portland, ME, photo 4

Bayside Trail — running trail in Portland, ME, photo 5

Paved100 miOpen 24hLit at nightScenicDog-friendly

What runners say about Bayside Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (81 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

✨ well-maintained 3 mentions

“With A little help, we can have it clean in NO time!”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Portland is a beautiful city and the state is gorgeous for whatever you like doing.”

One of Portland's most beautiful places to walk or ride. We like to ride around Back Cove, under Tukey's Bridge and continue down the Eastern Promenade to downtown Portland.

★★★★★ — Scott , Jun 2021

For many years I've enjoyed the beauty of Maines parks, trails, beaches and mountains. I love living here on munjoy hill. Portland is a beautiful city and the state is gorgeous for whatever you like doing. Let's have fun...

★★★★★ — Harrison , Feb 2019

Great day for a walk around the back bay here in Portland. Not many days in mid-January to find in so comfortable for a 31/2 mile walk. Then we went to Harmon's for their Great hamburgers!!!

★★★★★ — Robert , Jan 2021

Parking is limited at this end of the trail, I parked at the water treatment plant. So many trail options, there's something for everyone.

★★★★★ — Will , Aug 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 81 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

 🏞️ Scenic views 11 mentions 
“Portland is a beautiful city and the state is gorgeous for whatever you like doing.”
More trails like this →
 🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)  
“Altogether it is about an 8 mile ride for us.”
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 🛣️ Paved surface  
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 💡 Lit for night running  
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 🐕 Dog-friendly  
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Plan your run at Bayside Trail

The practical stuff

AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
Distance100 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.
LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Trail mapOfficial trail map
Websitetrails.org
Phone+1 207-775-2411
Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday	Open 24 hours
Tuesday	Open 24 hours
Wednesday	Open 24 hours
Thursday	Open 24 hours
Friday	Open 24 hours
Saturday	Open 24 hours
Sunday	Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Back Cove Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 169 reviews

Portland, ME

100 miLoopPavedScenic

Large park featuring a 3.5-mile, waterfront loop trail for jogging & biking, plus open green space.

under a mile away

Fort Allen Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,019 reviews

Portland, ME

ScenicDog-friendly

This grassy spot with water views features seating areas, a gazebo & many historical monuments.

1.0 miles away

All running trails in Portland, ME →

Nearby towns

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Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.