Aldermere Farm Preserve

If you’re seeking an austere stony seascape (enhanced by a cold, gray day!), you can find one by walking down a moderate 0.4-mile trail from Calderwood Lane. You’ll encounter roots and rocks, and it declines as it approaches the sea. Once you get to the shore, you’ll come to a bench, and the trail swings left to follow the coast for a short stretch before ending at the preserve boundary and a place to access the shore.

This ocean trail is one of two short trails on Aldermere Farm, which is protected by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. The second trail on the farm, which is 0.2-miles long, brings you to a little bluff overlooking Lilly Pond. You might see a field of cows (and Canada geese) across the pond.

Directions: The two trails are marked by small signs at the start of the paths. You can park at the farm for Lilly Pond Trail; you’ll just have to walk a few feet on quiet Russell Avenue to the trailhead. For the ocean trail, turn onto Calderwood Lane and look for the large parking area adjacent to the golf course. The trail begins across the lane. Here are the driving directions from the land trust: From the junction of Route 1 and 90 in Rockport head 0.3 mile east on West Street. Turn left at the intersection. Drive 0.5 mile and then stay right onto Russell Avenue. The Farm is located 0.6 mile on either side of the road. The address is 20 Russell Avenue, Rockport.