Appleton Preserve, Appleton

Appleton Preserve is a delightful and easy place to walk, with one especially lovely spot close to the Georges River, just 0.1 miles from the trail head and parking lot.

The path is almost, but not quite, wheelchair accessible. That being said, much of it is, especially if you come in on the path marked winter access, which brings you to a small meadow and what looked like a picnic pavilion in process when I visited in 2023. If you go this way, however, you do miss what might be the nicest stretch of the walk along the Georges River. The path along the river is very flat and easy, but there are a few roots.

This path links up to an old snowmobile road — wide, flat, and easy — that brings you through forest and to a small lollipop-loop at the end with a view over the river.

Additionally, you could head off the wide track onto a rougher 0.75-mile footpath that brings you through forest laced with a little stream.

Across the street from the parking lot is a 1.1-mile trail to Magog Falls.

At one point, you could walk all the way from Appleton Preserve to the Gibson Preserve, but I am not sure how well this long-distance trail is maintained.

Directions: From the intersection of Routes 131 and 105 (Camden Road) in Appleton, go east on Route 105 for ½ mile. Parking for the Appleton Preserve is available at the ME Inland Fisheries & Wildlife gravel lot on the right, just before the bridge across the Georges River (see map). Please do not park in the Blue Crow Studio driveway or use it as a turnaround.