This longest of Maine winters has finally been supplanted by glorious spring, and it’s high time now to cure the ills of months of cabin fever. So pack up the rucksack, lace up those boots and take a hike. Here’s a sampler of fun trails for you to explore.

Edwin L. Smith Preserve

This 1,400-acre preserve in Kennebunkport comprises a sizeable chunk of one of the largest remaining blocks of undeveloped coastal land between Kittery and Brunswick.

Owned by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, the Smith property is home to six trails and 12 miles of hiking through a wildlife-rich landscape of granite ridges, oak and pine forests, and pocket vernal pools.

Blandings and wood turtles, fox, owls, red-shouldered hawks, mink, bobcat, fisher, deer, coyote and black bears make their home here.

More info: www.kporttrust.org, 967-3465.

Spring Point Shoreway

This footpath encompasses 21 acres on Casco Bay in South Portland from Fisherman’s Point and Willard Beach to Bug Light Park, and includes part of the Southern Maine Community College campus, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and Fort Preble.

The walk features a splendid array of scenery, from islands and lighthouses to marinas and passing ferries. Rich history abounds, described in detail on numerous interpretive displays en route. The hike from point to point is 2.5 miles, so plan on spotting a car or bike or simply meander back along the city streets.

More info: www.southportlandlandtrust.org, 767-7650.

Little River Community Trail

This four-mile hiking trail built by the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition wanders through a terrific stretch of quiet wooded countryside just minutes from downtown Belfast. Starting from the picturesque old brick pump house and outlet dam on Route 1, the hike leads along the undeveloped shores of two reservoirs built in the late 1800s that backed up the Little River and served as the city’s water supply until 1980. This is an A-to-B hike, so plan on spotting a car or bike at the finish on Route 52, or simply phone Bay Taxi (338-1993) for an easy and inexpensive shuttle back.

More info: www.belfastbaywatershed.org.

Gorham Mountain/ Ocean Path Loop

Enjoy a nice slice of Acadia National Park well before the summer visitors descend in force.

Park in the area of the Fabbri Picnic Area on Otter Cliff Road and walk the short distance to the Gorham Mountain trailhead. Traverse the mountain ridge, opting for the Cadillac Cliffs side trail en route. Trundle past The Beehive to Sand Beach, then saunter along on the Ocean Path, looping back to the car past Thunder Hole and Monument Cove.

More info: www.nps.gov/acad, 288-3338.

Holbrook Island Sanctuary

The state-owned Holbrook Island Sanctuary occupies 1,230 acres, including the namesake 115-acre Holbrook Island, on the north end of the Cape Rosier peninsula in Brooksville. Old roads, footpaths and animal trails turned into formal walking paths guide visitors through diverse ecosystems and wildlife habitats, from the estuary and salt marshes of Goose Pond and the rocky shores, mudflats and sandy beaches of Penobscot Bay and Smith Cove, to the volcanic rocks of Backwoods Mountain, and the beaver and muskrat lodges, eagles and ospreys in and around Fresh Pond.

More info: www.parksandlands.com, 326-4012.

Roque Bluffs State Park

The park comprises 274 acres of dramatic coastal landscape, with bold cliffs, cobble beaches and more than a mile of oceanfront on Schoppee Point, including a half-mile long sand-and-pebble crescent of beach on Englishman Bay. Directly offshore is Schoppee Island; beyond it is the bulk of Roque Island. The woodlands north of the beach area feature a pleasant three-mile network of hiking trails. Hikers can combine portions of the three main trails – Houghton’s Hill, Mihill and Pond Cove, for a nice tour. Picnic tables on the hilltop and seaside at Rose Ledge make fine waysides.

More info: www.parksandlands.com, 255-3475.

Carey Kish of Southwest Harbor is an intrepid hiker and outdoors and travel writer. Follow Carey’s adventures in his Maineiac Outdoors blog at:

mainetoday.com/blog/ maineiac-outdoors

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