Despite living in Maine, life can get pretty hectic sometimes. When it does, it’s best to do something that relaxes the mind while also providing a reminder that it’s okay for things to slow down. We think that hiking the many trails throughout the state is a great way to do this. This particular route leads through a beautiful forest and ends up at a stunning natural waterfall!
While there are quite a few beautiful waterfall trails in Maine, one of our favorites doesn’t require a lengthy hike and the route is fairly easy to access. Head to Saco to find the .5-mile Cascade Falls trail.
Kurt Ewald / alltrails.com Fun fact! This area was once used as a stand-in for the Alaskan Yukon in a silent film in the 1930s.
Your trip begins at a well-marked trailhead and leads through a lush hardwood and pine forest. It’s mostly shaded, so this is a great thing to do on a hot day when direct sun is just too much.
Bekah Roy / alltrails.com You can find the directions for the trailhead from your own location here.
The .5-mile trail consists of hard-packed stone and dust, which means you’ll be walking along a fairly smooth path.
Kurt Ewald / alltrails.com
While we know that folks with limited mobility and those with strollers have accessed the trail, it’s best to check out the conditions before heading off.
Christine Pfeiffer / alltrails.com
Helping to make this trail feel especially wooded and lush, you’ll find mosses, ferns, and wildflowers lining the area following the Cascade Brook.
Cyn Bee / alltrails.com
As you approach the end of the trail, you’ll stop following the Cascade Brook and instead head into an open area. This is where you’ll see the falls. Once you’ve taken it in, simply head back to the trail and head towards the parking lot the same way you came.
Christine Pfeiffer / alltrails.com
Or, to get close to the falls you can choose to head left after seeing the sign for “Falls.” This will take you down a steep trail right to the base.
Jeffrey Parquette / Google
This trail isn’t maintained, so if you’re not accustomed to hiking you might want to stick to the flat main trail.
Rachel Walsh / Google
One strange thing you’ll notice on this hike is a cage! While small children are sometimes told that this cage once housed a gorilla who escaped into the woods, the reality is that it was used for bears as a tourist attraction in the 1950s. Thankfully, those days are over!
Bethany Smith / alltrails.com
If you love escaping into the woods and Maine’s waterfalls, this is a hike you’ll want to check out!
Daniel Moore / alltrails.com
You can learn more about the Cascade Falls Trail through Maine Trail Finder. The trail system here is a work in progress, so be sure to check the latest information on the Saco Bay Trails website before heading out. And, if you love easy hikes so much that you might actually love just driving more, we have something just for you! You can choose to skip the hiking boots and simply drive up to these 6 magnificent Maine mountains!
Kurt Ewald / alltrails.com
Fun fact! This area was once used as a stand-in for the Alaskan Yukon in a silent film in the 1930s.
Bekah Roy / alltrails.com
You can find the directions for the trailhead from your own location here.
Christine Pfeiffer / alltrails.com
Cyn Bee / alltrails.com
Jeffrey Parquette / Google
Rachel Walsh / Google
Bethany Smith / alltrails.com
Daniel Moore / alltrails.com
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Address: Cascade Falls Trail Parking, 61 Cascade Rd, Saco, ME 04072, USA
