About the Eastern Trail
The Maine Lighthouse Ride is the signature fundraising event benefiting the Eastern Trail Alliance, a nonprofit organization that builds, maintains, and promotes the Eastern Trail.
The Eastern Trail was started in the 1990s as a dream of our founder John Andrews. Now, the Eastern Trail is southern Maine’s premiere long-distance transportation and recreation greenway extending from Casco Bay in South Portland to the Piscataqua River in Kittery.
Today, approximately 30 percent of the 65-mile trail is off-road and the remainder is on-road and co-located with the East Coast Greenway. Along its route, the Eastern Trail crosses Maine’s largest saltwater marsh in Scarborough, cuts through the iconic summer vacation destination Old Orchard Beach, and weaves through the woods of Biddeford, Arundel, and Kennebunk. You will find many Maine treasures along your way including historical landmarks, breathtaking vistas, great places to eat, and nearby land trusts to visit. In 2022, the trail was inducted into the Rail-Trail Conservancy’s national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.
The Eastern Trail Alliance and the Eastern Trail Management District work closely to build, maintain, and promote the Eastern Trail. These sister organizations are supporting multiple trail-building campaigns that develop plans and raise funds to finish the trail. Learn more and get involved at easterntrail.org.
