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Cascade Falls Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 176 Google reviews · Running trail in Saco, Maine · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 25 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Cascade Falls 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.
Little wooded attraction featuring the titular falls plus trails and a fairy village.
What runners say about Cascade Falls Trail
“Beautiful waterfall where you walk from bottom to top, good hiking trails (longest is about 30 minutes), and a Riverwalk full of children created "fairy" villages.”
“Other than potentially slipping, the trail is easy to follow and not physically demanding.”
“-fairy village -dog friendly -river -bridge -waterfall -big rocks to climb if you wish -beginner friendly -kid friendly Very charming trail.”
What a beautiful spot! The waterfall is about a 1 minute walk from the parking lot. Grab a coffee from Aroma Joes down the street and go check out a waterfall. Great for kids.
It's amazing to find that a rocky water fall exists only two miles from the ocean. This might be the closest waterfall to the ocean in the lower 48 states. The water and the rocks reminded me of waterfalls that you would expect to see in the Rocky Mountains.
A really sweet experience, especially for kids, but as an adult it just warmed my heart. The place included a colorful rock area, fairy homes, hopscotch, and of course the waterfall! I will say hiking was very moderate, not a ton of room for galavanting, still absolutely perfect!
Pretty decent trail, with multiple loops, nice river and falls. It’s a pretty easy trail with several different elevations. This place has a sturdy bridge over the river, several quirky/kitschy sights and artifacts and also benches along the way. It’s relatively small. It would be good for families.
Trail conditions & character
“Pretty views all around and a must see Fairy Village, children of all ages are welcome to help in maintaining and constructing houses for the Fairys that live there.”
“The parking lot is very icy right now (Dec 2025), as is some of the trail.”
“It's amazing to find that a rocky water fall exists only two miles from the ocean.”
“Loop trails that feature a fairy village where you are welcomed to build your own fairy house out of natural materials that have fallen.”
“-fairy village -dog friendly -river -bridge -waterfall -big rocks to climb if you wish -beginner friendly -kid friendly Very charming trail.”
“-fairy village -dog friendly -river -bridge -waterfall -big rocks to climb if you wish -beginner friendly -kid friendly Very charming trail.”
“Several hiking trails and the trails are well marked and maintained by volunteers.”
Plan your run at Cascade Falls Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance25 mi back to where you parked. 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.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitesacobaytrails.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Saco
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Milliken Mills Trails Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 21 reviews
The Middle Goosefare Trail
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Eastern Trail
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Popular area with off-road and on-road sections for running, walking, and biking, plus birding.
