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Saco Heath Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 379 Google reviews · Running trail in Saco, Maine · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Saco Heath Preserve'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.
Wetland featuring a woodland trail with a boardwalk where visitors can look out for pitcher plants.
What runners say about Saco Heath Preserve
“It’s a gorgeous walk but just be aware that the dirt paths before the boardwalk may be quite muddy this time of year after the thaw.”
“One of the more peaceful locations I’ve visited.”
“A few boards need fixing and easy walk for most but very sunny.”
Great place to walk its only one trail pretty much the whole way. It feels like a never ending boardwalk through a bog to an island where there is a short loop trail. The bog seemed to be all dried up for the most part during my visit. There was blueberries all over the bushes everywhere you looked.
Incredible little hike through the woods!!! Absolutely recommend for a tranquil place to take a quick hike. So beautiful and peaceful.
The Saco Heath is an amazing little Microcosm! It's both a Blueberry and Cranberry Bog. The trail is easy and well groomed with a lot of wooden walkways. It varies from a nice darker Forest to an open Bog. When you get to the Bog walkway there are two benches you can sit on to enjoy the surreal environment.
It's a 15 to 20 min walk from the parking lot to the beginning of the boardwalk through the bog. 20 min or so to the "island". There are benches on the boardwalk in places. The vegetation is very varied, wild blueberries, purple flowers, ferns etc. I used my bird call identifying app and learned what birds were around.
Trail conditions & character
“It’s a gorgeous walk but just be aware that the dirt paths before the boardwalk may be quite muddy this time of year after the thaw.”
“It’s a gorgeous walk but just be aware that the dirt paths before the boardwalk may be quite muddy this time of year after the thaw.”
“We had a hard time finding parking on a Sunday afternoon but by the time we got back to our car half the lot was empty.”
“We brought a fairly rugged stroller that had difficulty getting over some roots, especially at the loop trail on the opposite side from where you begin.”
“The beginning can get muddy & hard to navigate with a stroller in the spring, but the entire boardwalk part was perfect!”
“We brought a fairly rugged stroller that had difficulty getting over some roots, especially at the loop trail on the opposite side from where you begin.”
“One of the more peaceful locations I’ve visited.”
Plan your run at Saco Heath Preserve
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 distance1 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenature.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–7 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.
Horton Woods
4.8 ★★★★★ 67 reviews
Kid-friendly, dog-friendly hiking area featuring scenic trails through wetlands and woods.
The Middle Goosefare Trail
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Eastern Trail Alliance
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Cascade Falls Trail
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Little wooded attraction featuring the titular falls plus trails and a fairy village.