TRAILS
Spring Point
Shoreway Trail
The Spring Point Shoreway passes two sandy beaches on its way to Bug Light Park, where Liberty Ships were constructed during WWII.
Managed by the City of South Portland
Trail Heads
Spring Point Shoreway HAS TWO PRIMARY ACCESS POINTS:
The most common access to the trails is from either Willow Street (via Willard Beach) or The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) campus.
SMCC Campus: Reach SMCC's campus by following Broadway to its northern end and turning right.
Willow Street: Willow Street is off Preble Street in South Portland; a parking lot will be about 300 yards from Preble Street on the right.
About the Trail
The Spring Point Shoreway runs 1.6 miles from Fisherman’s Point to Bug Light Park. Along the way, your walk will take you back in history. Fort Preble, (seen above), was built in 1808 and manned during the War of 1812. The fort also saw action during the Civil War. Twenty-three Confederate Army soldiers who raided Portland Harbor in 1863 and commandeered a ship were taken prisoner and held at the fort. Nearby Spring Point Light was built in 1867. The impressive 900 foot granite breakwater, added in 1951, creates a popular walk which command stunning views of Portland Harbor to the west and Portland Head Light, the historic and picturesque beacon commissioned by George Washington in 1787.
The Shoreway then passes two sandy beaches on its way to Bug Light Park, where Liberty Ships were constructed during WWII. The nearly 8-acre park boasts plenty of open space and its own magnificent views of Portland Harbor. Nearby you can also access the Greenbelt Walkway.
A walk along the Spring Point Shoreway includes a beautiful, sandy Maine beach, historic Fort Preble, built in 1808, the iconic Spring Point Lighthouse, and outstanding views of Portland Harbor from a variety of perspectives.
Walkers may want to integrate a stroll on the beach into their hike. Cyclists of those with strollers can use a paved section of trail that parallels the beach (shown in yellow on the map). Cyclists can exit the trail via Adams Street, turn right on Benjamin W Pickett Street, then turn left onto the South Portland Greenbelt Walkway at Madison Street, or take a right onto Madison and travel 1/3 mile to Bug Light Park.
Photo Gallery
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