QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 57 acres
- Trail Mileage: 1.8 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: moderate
- Sights: Orr’s Cove, Mill Cove, moss-covered forest
From the small parking area, a sturdy bog bridge immediately tempts you to step onto it and enter the beautiful, shady, mossy forest of this 57-acre Harpswell Land Trust preserve. Soon after crossing a few more of these bridges, the trail begins to wind up a gentle incline before reaching the first intersection at roughly 0.2* miles.
For those who want an easier walk or to get to the water as quickly as possible, turn right at the first junction to walk along the hill side (of the 161-foot Cranberryhorn Hill, according to my GPS). When you reach the next intersection, in about half a mile, take another right. You’ll soon reach Birch Run Road, which you cross to continue along the 0.3-mile Cove Trail.
The Cove Trail follows the blue-green waters of a narrow inlet (maybe Mill’s Cove?) until it emerges at a small opening where you can look up the mouth of the cove. There are a few homes clustered on the opposite bank and around the sheltered area.
The 1.2-mile* Loop Trail involves a bit of climbing and descending. Along the way, you will see glowing expanses of moss covering boulders, stonewalls, and trees.
*My GPS distances clock in a little longer than the land trust’s distances!
Directions: The preserve is directly across the entrance to Harpswell Community School, at 311 Harpswell Islands Road. From Cook’s Corner in Brunswick, it’s 5.1 miles down the island on Rt 24.
