Ownership

Town and CELT owned

Location

This trail connects 7.8 miles of Cape Elizabeth, traveling between Fort Williams and Kettle Cove.

Access

Lot parking is available from dawn to dusk at Fort Williams Park and Kettle Cove State Park.

Description/History

This 7.8-mile trail provides a scenic tour of Cape Elizabeth’s most spectacular conservation areas, including Robinson Woods, Spurwink Marsh, Gull Crest, and Great Pond. A PDF Trail Guide is available with detailed directions, points of interest, and additional historical context.

The idea for a Cross Town Trail in Cape Elizabeth first surfaced in 1974, 11 years before the Land Trust was founded. Through the years, the trail has been completed through a patchwork of different types of conservation land, including land owned by CELT or the Town, land with easements held by CELT or the Town, former “paper streets,” land set aside to offset development, state-owned lands, and even a utility easement. The final section was permanently conserved in 2022 with Chapel Woods.

The full trail can be walked at a leisurely pace in 3-4 hours. The mid-point of the trail passes through Town Center and past the Land Trust office, providing an opportunity to rest or refuel. Each spring and fall, CELT offers a guided walk of the entire trail. See the events page or contact CELT for more information.

Rules

Please cherish and help care for the natural areas along the trail.

  • Leave trails as you found them and carry out all trash.
  • Limit trail use to daytime hours only.
  • Stay on marked trails and respect adjacent private property.
  • Please no foraging, commercial use of property, motorized vehicles, fires, camping, alcoholic beverages, or illegal substances.

For Cyclists

  • Most of this trail is maintained for both pedestrian and mountain bike use.
  • Sections of the trail may be closed to bicycles during wet parts of the year. Please only ride when there are dry trail conditions to prevent damage to the trails.
  • Please stay on established trails and respect adjacent private property.

*Notice for Dog Owners

Sections of the trail require dogs to be on-leash only. Otherwise, keep dogs in sight and under voice control at all times.

  • Pick up and carry out all pet waste.
  • Honor leash rules when in specific areas (e.g., sensitive habitat areas, streams, private property, public sidewalks).
  • No commercial dog walking on CELT properties.
  • Maine law requires dog license and rabies tag on collar at all times. Refer to the Town ordinance page for more information.