TRAILS
South Branch Trail
This one-mile trail explores the wooded area surrounding the South Branch of Long Creek as it flows between Clarks Pond Plaza and the Maine Mall. It also provides off-road connections between these shopping areas for people on foot. Red Brook Trail and the Clark’s Pond Trail are both within easy walking distance of the South Branch Trail.
Managed by the South Portland Land Trust
Trail Heads
South Branch Trail HAS two PRIMARY ACCESS POINts:
Cinemagic Parking Lot: The Cinemagic Movie Theater is located on the western end of Clarks Pond Plaza at 333 Clarks Pond Parkway, off Gorham Road. There are three marked trail heads on the north side of the parking lot.
Philbrook Ave: There is a trail head and kiosk on Philbrook Road near the eastern entrance to JC Penny at the Maine Mall. One may park at the edge of the Maine Mall lot and cross Philbrook Ave to access the trail head.
About the Trail
The South Branch Trail offers a wooded respite from the arterial roads and parking lots of the Maine Mall and Clark’s Pond Plaza, while also offering useful connections between those shopping areas that are far more direct for the pedestrian than the roadways. You will find four bridges over two creeks and wooden steps and bog bridges where necessary.
The wooded section contains a wide variety of large deciduous and conifers and is surprisingly peaceful despite being surrounded by heavy commerce. The best access is from the JCPenny Trailhead where the trail is exactly one mile from your starting point and back.
From the eastern end of the South Branch Trail system, one can easily walk to the trail head for the Clark’s Pond Trail. The South Branch Trail was a project of the West End Trails Committee, a sub-committee of the South Portland Land Trust dedicated to making the west end of the city friendlier for pedestrians.
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