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Writer's pictureJill McMahon

Cliff Trail, Harpswell


View of Long Reach Reserve Island from the Cliff Trail in Harpswell.

This rugged trail includes 150-ft cliffs overlooking Long Reach Reserve's unnamed island, a fairy house village, a short walk along Strawberry Creek, and preserved stretches of mossy forest filled with the sounds of birds calling. It is dog-friendly (allowed off-leash before 10 am and after 4 pm) and the first 0.4 miles is accessible.


Dog on the Cliff Trail near Strawberry Creek in Harpswell.

This trail has ample parking in a large, paved lot behind the Harpswell Town Office at 263 Mountain Road. There is also a large, clean portapotty at the trailhead. The 2.3-mile loop, marked by white blazes, begins on a stretch of trail that is inclusive and accessible to individuals with limited mobility. According to Maine Trail Finder, the hard-packed gravel surface is 4 feet wide with a maximum slope of under 8%. These updates happened in 2021 and I was pleasantly surprised to see how much improvement this trail has undergone since our last visit many years ago.



Beyond the accessible section, the trail becomes more rooty and hilly. Winding through dense forest filled with a symphony of birdsong, eventually leading up to the high cliff overlooking Long Reach Reserve. The island here, which is unnamed, is straight out of a Chris Van Dusen book. If he hasn't illustrated this UFO-shaped beauty, maybe he will someday.


Dog resting on the Cliff Trail overlooking Long Reach Reserve in Harpswell.

From the cliff overlook, the trail winds along the edge for a short distance before returning to the woods. This trail is shady but offers few water access points, so pack plenty of water on a hot day!


One last treasure to look for - at about 1 mile in, you will see a short spur leading to the water, just before reaching the blue sign for the Cut-Off Trail. Take this short detour, then look towards the right at the water's edge. You'll see a very cool, dome-shaped cave that can be accessed at low tide. Our kids loved exploring this when we came here many years ago. Enjoy!


Waterside cave on the Cliff Trail in Harpswell.


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