Blackstrap Hill Preserve, Falmouth

The trails in Cumberland, Falmouth, and Windham are very well connected. Above, Blackstrap Hill Preserve in blue; North Falmouth Community Forest in red. To see more of this system, check out my map of the multi-town trail system.

This is a large area protected by Falmouth Land Trust that links up to many miles of trails via North Falmouth Community Forest and Hadlock Forest. At Blackstrap, there are pretty spots along the Piscataqua River, brooks and small waterfalls, diverse forests, fields, and miles of trails—including lots of bike paths. The preserve is popular with walkers, joggers and mountain bikers. The trails are mostly well-marked, with maps posted at most intersections. Additionally, a few of the trail signs have a QR code that brings up the Google map showing your location with a blue dot.

Be prepared for some mud at certain times of the year, and a few hills. Also, the preserve neighbors the turnpike, and it can be quite loud.

Blackstrap Hill’s highest elevation is over 400 feet — a nice spot you arrive at on the power lines, offering a bit of a view.

I enjoyed the River Trail the most, which is most easily accessed from the northernmost trailhead off Hurricane Road (also the largest parking area). From the parking area, you’ll briefly follow a snowmobile trail to a blue-blazed trail that traces the river’s progress south.

Directions: The preserve has four parking lots. The first you might arrive at is on Blackstrap Road, 1/4 mile north of Mountain Road, on the right (if coming from the south). Ahead, at the intersection of Blackstrap and Babbidge Roads is also a small lot, on the right if coming from the south. There is also a good-sized lot on Blackstrap Road that shares a trailhead with North Falmouth Community Forest. Another large lot, and the most northern one, is off Hurricane Road, about 0.8 miles east of the intersection of Blackstrap and Hurricane Roads. It’ll be on the right if you’re coming from that direction.