HomeMaineGorham › Hawkes Preserve Trailhead

Hawkes Preserve Trailhead

4.4 ★★★★☆ 39 Google reviews · Running trail in Gorham, Maine · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
28 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Hawkes Preserve Trailhead'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.

Natural surface28 miScenicDog-friendlyTrailhead parkingQuiet

What runners say about Hawkes Preserve Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (39 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Beautiful and peaceful place to launch a canoe with parking lot and stairs beside a canoe slide into the river.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Beautiful and peaceful place to launch a canoe with parking lot and stairs beside a canoe slide into the river.”

For more experienced hikers this is a simple stroll through the woods. Great option for young kids or folks who may be looking too get into nature hiking. Pleasant scenery and good chances to see water fowl or small game. We parked at the school and stated at the trailhead there.

★★★★☆ — Thom , Jul 2019

Very pretty; relatively flat. However, if you have mobility issues, be aware that the trail has many exposed roots and muddy spots. There is one unbridged swale. The entrance to the parking area is bumpy.

★★★★☆ — Nancy , Jul 2021

This is easily accessible and so serene and peaceful. The perfect place to ride your bike or walk a dog. Right by the river. Very well maintained trail.

★★★★★ — Kate , Nov 2019

Love walking the dog here. It's a great easy walk with the family. The views of the water are beautiful!

★★★★★ — Scott , Oct 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 39 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.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Beautiful and peaceful place to launch a canoe with parking lot and stairs beside a canoe slide into the river.”

More trails like this →

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“Beautiful and peaceful place to launch a canoe with parking lot and stairs beside a canoe slide into the river.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“Amazing trail, great place to walk with kids and dog”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“However, if you have mobility issues, be aware that the trail has many exposed roots and muddy spots.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Beautiful and peaceful place to launch a canoe with parking lot and stairs beside a canoe slide into the river.”

More trails like this →

🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Hawkes Preserve Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • Distance28 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 — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteprlt.org
  • Phone+1 207-844-0114
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Hawkes Preserve Trailhead

54 Tow Path Rd, Gorham, ME 04038

Get directions

Running trails near Gorham

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Hawkes-Towpath Preserve

4.9 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

Gorham, ME

under a mile away

Sebago to the Sea Trail Section 4

4.4 ★★★★☆ 21 reviews

Windham, ME

under a mile away

Gambo Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 20 reviews

Windham, ME

Scenic

under a mile away

Shaw Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 222 reviews

Gorham, ME

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Country park with a ball field, playground, trails, swimming, canoe and kayak launch, and fishing.

1.3 miles away

Little River Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

Gorham, ME

1.6 miles away

Tannery Brook Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Gorham, ME

3.1 miles away

All running trails in Gorham, ME →

Nearby towns

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.