East Windham Conservation Area

East Windham Conservation Area

The East Windham Conservation Area, conserved in September 2023, features an 8-mile trail network with scenic mountain and water views, including portions that will be fully accessible by 2025. This significant conservation achievement is part of a larger 30-mile trail network connecting multiple preserves across Falmouth and Windham.

  • At 700 acres, this conservation area is the same size as Bradbury State Park
  • It forms part of a 2,000-acre conservation corridor—larger than any state park in Southern Maine
  • The area represents the largest wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreational trail corridor in Greater Portland
  • The Purple Loop offers stunning views of the White Mountains and Little Duck Pond shorefront
  • The Teal Trail features the best mountain view in the entire network
  • More than 400 supporters generously donated to help forever conserve this land
  • The area is part of the homeland of the Wabanaki People, whose connection to these lands and waters is respectfully acknowledged

About East Windham Conservation Area

The East Windham Conservation Area is owned by the Town of Windham with a conservation easement held by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust. This significant conservation achievement creates a connected 30-mile trail network linking Lowell Preserve, North Falmouth Community Forest, and Blackstrap Hill Preserve.

The trail system offers varied experiences for different users. The Purple Loop, a wide multi-use trail, passes along Little Duck Pond’s shorefront with excellent White Mountain views and connects to Lowell Preserve’s Red Trail. The three-quarter mile section from the trailhead to Little Duck Pond will be fully accessible by 2025, currently featuring a 12-foot wide gravel surface with some steep sections and seasonally soft surfaces.

The Teal Trail provides another wide multi-use option featuring the network’s best mountain view. For those seeking more challenge, the Blue and Green technical trails offer narrower paths with steeper sections and sharp turns, ideal for mountain bikers and trail runners while remaining open to all walkers.

See More Trails

From easy strolls to challenging terrain, our trails connect you with Maine’s breathtaking landscapes.

Lowell Preserve Trail

The Lowell Preserve encompasses over 300 acres of forested conservation area featuring more than 8 miles of trails. This diverse network accommodates multiple recreational activities, from hiking and mountain biking to horseback riding and ATV use, offering something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Fun Facts

  • The trail system features an infinite number of possible routes through various interconnected loops
  • Main trails consist of two primary loops marked by blue and red blazes, each approximately 1.5 miles long
  • Technical Trails in the northern section offer more challenging terrain ideal for mountain biking and trail running
  • The preserve supports a wide range of recreational activities year-round, including winter sports like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
  • Trail surfaces vary from packed earth to rocky terrain with changing elevations throughout the preserve
  • Specific trails and sections are clearly marked to indicate allowed uses for different recreational activities
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Black Brook Preserve Trail

The Black Brook Preserve trail network features rolling hills, mature trees, and meandering brooks alongside diverse wildlife and plant life. These scenic trails offer an excellent location for bird watching while experiencing the historic charm and natural beauty of Windham.

  • Over 600 feet of “bog bridges” protect wetlands and keep hikers’ feet dry
  • Wild blueberries are abundant in summer fields, with blackberries appearing along wooded trails in early September
  • The preserve’s newest residents are beavers, whose dams and lodges can be spotted in the center of the preserve and along brook-side trails
  • Black Brook forms within the preserve before journeying through fields and forests to the Presumpscot River six miles away
  • Cedar benches are scattered throughout the trail system for peaceful rest stops
  • Wildlife sightings include deer, beaver, coyote, fox, porcupines, raccoons, wild turkeys, partridge, skunks, owls, and egrets
  • This preserve is located in the homeland of the Wabanaki People, whose connection to these lands and waters is respectfully acknowledged
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Otter Brook Sanctuary Trail

The Otter Brook Trail meanders alongside the housing development boundary, following the natural path of Otter Brook as it winds through diverse landscapes of tree plantations, woodlands, and marshy wetlands. This scenic route offers visitors an intimate connection with Windham’s varied natural environments.

  • The trail follows the picturesque Otter Brook throughout its course
  • Blue laminated signs guide hikers along the brook’s natural path
  • The northern section briefly intersects with snowmobile trails
  • The trail traverses multiple ecosystems including tree plantations, woods, and marshy wetlands
  • The southern portion of the trail can become particularly wet during spring months
  • The natural, uneven forest floor creates an authentic woodland hiking experience
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