Hikes In and Around Damariscotta/Newcastle, Maine

Cozy Ranch-style House on Range Pond in Poland, Maine
February 22, 2013
Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine Feb. 28 – Mar. 6
February 27, 2013

Hikes In and Around Damariscotta/Newcastle, Maine

biscayimages

Beautiful Biscay Pond in Damariscotta, Maine

The twin towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle, located along the Damariscotta River in Mid Coast Maine, offer breathtaking views from many vantage points. Hikes in this region will take you from forestland to marshes and pastures, as well as along the river. The villages are located only three hours from Boston and one hour from Portland.



Doyle Preserve
Gently rising terrain greets the walker/hiker as you traverse the 1.40 mile loop trail. Maintained by the Pemaquid Watershed Association, the trail includes access to Pemaquid Pond.
Trailhead Access: Castaway Cove Road, Damariscotta
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site
Along the Damariscotta River and other rivers in the area, Native Americans were known to make shell piles or middens of discarded oyster shells and other objects. One such man-made attraction is the Whaleback Shell Midden on the river–Maine’s oldest man-made attraction. A half-mile interpretive loop trail leads to the site, where now only a portion of the midden remains–still worth seeing. Please do not dig in, climb on, or take shells–they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are legally protected.
Trailhead Access: Route 1, just north of Damariscotta
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Dodge Point Preserve
Six miles of trails crisscross through this 500-acre preserve, which also includes 8,000 feet of shoreline and beaches. The four paths, Old Farm Road Trail, Ravine Trail, Shore Trail and Timber Trail, vary in degree of difficulty. Their names suggest their features.
Trailhead Access: River Road, Newcastle
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
River-Link Trail
A five-mile foot trail and wildlife corridor connects the Damariscotta and Sheepscot Rivers. The rolling and winding route begins at Dodge Point Preserve in Newcastle and ends at Schmidt Preserve in Edgecomb. Eventually, it will be extended two more miles to the north end of Boothbay.
Trailhead Access: Dodge Point Preserve, River Road,Newcastle                                                      Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
Great Salt Bay and Hart Family Heritage Trail
A three-mile loop leads through marshland, forest, pasture and along the shore line of Great Salt Bay. Along this trail you’ll even pass through an old sheep tunnel built under the road. A side trail provides views of Glidden Point and its ancient shell middens. Please do not dig in, climb on, or take shells–they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are legally protected.
Trailhead Access: Route 215, Newcastle (park at the far end of Lincoln County Publishing–trailhead across the street)
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Griggs Preserve
Two miles of trails circle through this 56-acre parcel of forestland beside the Sheepscot River. From the river you can see the reversing falls at Sheepscot Village. A wildlife haven, the land includes a vernal pool. The Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association maintains the trail system.
Trailhead Access: Trails End Road, Newcastle
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
Marsh River Bog
Three looped trails, including a one-mile interpretive trail meander through the forest and along the salt marsh. A boardwalk extends into the bog and offers opportunities to observe the dwarf-shrub bog community.
Trailhead Access: Eagle Point Road, Newcastle
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Baker Forest Preserve
Stepping away from the rivers, the Baker Forest Preserve takes hikers across terrain from flat ground to rocky ridges. The 2.6 miles of trails include some loops and some out and back spurs. A stream on the property may have beaver activity. The Damariscotta River Association maintains the trail system.
Trailhead Access: River Road near Kiln Road, Newcastle                                                           Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
To learn more about lakefront listings for sale on Biscay Pond, click on the green box above.
To learn more about ponds and lakes in the Mid Coast Region of Maine, check out the blog links below.
Biscay Pond, Damariscotta, Maine: “Golden Pond” of the Mid Coast Region
Damariscotta Lake, Newcastle, Nobleboro and Jefferson, Maine: Miles of Exploration Opportunities for Lakefront Property Owners
The Mid-Coast Region of Maine

Stay Informed

Get the latest lake news delivered direct from Maine’s lake expert, Tom Ferent