QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: Not sure
- Trail Mileage: ~3-mile loop
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: Sandy Stream, old mill, silver maple-bur oak floodplain
The remains of the old mill are close to the start of the trailhead, and close to the mill are some flattish rocks that might make a good base for a dip in the shallow river on a hot day.
The Sebasticook Regional Land Trust trail in total is a bit more than three miles if you do the whole thing, but you can make a shorter 0.6-mile loop if you prefer.
To do the longer walk requires a bridge crossing over Bacon Brook Tributary, across a small but deep ravine. The land trust explains that this seasonal bridge is only in place from spring to fall to protect it from ice and flood damage during the winter. So when we visited in May, the gangway had ben dismantled and we precariously inched our way across a fallen tree.
Much of the trail follows the wide, slow river. It’s possible you’ll see kayakers and kingfishers. It’s obvious that most people use the trail along the river rather than the inner wooded trails, because the inner leg of the big loop was a bit overgrown. The land trust asks that people not pick fiddleheads along the trail.
Directions: Follow Main Street (Route 202) south to the intersection of Quaker Hill Road, which is the access road to Unity College. The parking area and trailhead kiosk will be on your right soon after.
