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The Ferry Landing Trail

This loop trail starts and ends on Ferry Road a few hundred yards west of Camp Ellis and features three large tupelo trees of the type normally found in southern climates. The trail passes through a mixed hardwood-softwood forest.

Click to enlarge Length (round trip): 0.7 mile. Directions to trailhead: From downtown Saco, go a few blocks north on Main St. to the traffic light and turn right onto Beach Street. Travel for 3.8 miles. Turn left into the parking area just past Landing Road. The trailhead kiosk is here. Estimated walking time: 30 minutes. Walther Pond spur Length (round trip): 0.1 mile (est.). Directions to trailhead: Follow directions for Ferry Landing Trail. Entrance to this spur is opposite the point where Ferry Landing Trail leaves the woods road. Estimated walking time: 10 minutes.

The trail proceeds into the woods along a dirt road, passing alongside the Ferry Landing subdivision on the west and a house on the east. After a few minutes the trail makes a sharp left turn off the road into the woods. Shortly after entering the woods, hikers will find an extensive boardwalk that leads to a point where the trail divides. Walkers who pass to the right will soon find themselves on a second boardwalk, which also has a resting bench. Sitting on the bench and looking south, walkers can see the first tupelo tree amongst the other trees (about 85 feet from the boardwalk). After leaving the boardwalk, the trail curves to the left, where closer glimpses of the first tupelo can be seen on the walker's left. Shortly, the trail leads to the second of the massive trees. A few feet farther is the second resting bench which offers a place to sit and view the third tupelo.

The trail continues on, making a sharp left turn before returning to the point at which it split. Follow the trail back to the parking area.

Saco Bay Trails is grateful to Ferry Landing developer Diane Doyle who donated the 8-plus acres the trail passes over as well as the funds to build the trail. We also thank members of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club who spent a Saturday spreading gravel on the path and the Saco Conservation Commission which donated funds for the resting benches.

Walther Pond Spur
This trail was still in the planning stages in 2004. When completed, it will lead hikers down a short path to the edge of a small woodland pond. This land was donated to Saco Bay Trails by sisters Sandra Greenier Chipman and Tamera Devine in honor of their grandmother Ina Walther, who once lived nearby and who enjoyed watching the birds attracted by the water.

In addition to the path, we plan to install one or more benches where hikers can sit and enjoy the beauty of the pond as Ms. Walther once did.