The best walks and hikes around Dunstan

Together, this little pond and the longer pond to the north — unsurprisingly called Long Pond — are called the Ferry Beach ponds, due to their proximity to the beach of the same name.

Surfside Beach, lies along a 7-mile expanse between the Scarborough and Saco rivers. While running, witness the impressive maneuvers of surfers on the waves. With a lively summer scene and numerous eateries and shops, it offers a delightful backdrop for your run

The road passes to the south of the Fuller Farm Preserve. It is a beautiful spot with the open fields and woods visible from the road. If you also like hiking or cross country skiing, it is open all year round with a network of trails to explore.

The Fuller Farm Preserve is a beautiful spot managed by the Scarborough Land Trust. Featuring 2.9 miles of trails through large open fields and woods, past a seasonal waterfall, and along frontage by the Nonesuch River, the Fuller Farm Preserve is one of the most popular recreational areas in Scarborough. Open all year around, you can hike and jog in the warmer months and snowshoe and cross-country ski in the winter. Although dogs are allowed, they must be leashed or under voice control at all times (from May 1- Aug 1, all dogs must be leashed on the Hayfield Trail during bird nesting season). Here is a PDF trail map of the area: https://scarboroughlandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Fuller-Farm.pdf

The Saco Heath Preserve is a 1,223 acre protected site that features a mile-long trail that consists of a distinctive boardwalk. The preserve showcases a rare raised coalesced bog, the southernmost of its kind, that the boardwalk takes you right over. The unique environment nurtures a variety of plants adapted to nutrient-poor soils, including Labrador tea, leather-leaf, rhodora, cottongrass, and scattered pitch pine. It also hosts the only instance of Atlantic white cedar growing on a northern raised bog, with one of Maine's largest stands. This cedar itself supports a population of Hessel’s Hairstreak butterfly, whose caterpillars exclusively feed on it.

Surfside is located along a 7-mile stretch of beaches between the Scarborough & Saco rivers. The area is quite popular during the summer and you'll find any number of restaurants, bars, cafes, & shops to stop at. It can be a challenge to find parking so riding here is a great option.

The Old Orchard Pier is a landmark in the small beach town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine. This historic wooden pier juts out over 600 feet over the ocean and has rides, great local restaurants, souvenir shops, and views over the beach and Atlantic Ocean.