QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: Not sure
- Trail Mileage: ~3-mile loop
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: boardwalks, Great Salt Bay, Native American shell middens, forest, beaver ponds
CLOSED: The Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust has closed the Glidden Point Preserve trail (aka the Salt Bay Heritage Trail) in Newcastle for the foreseeable future. High water levels in the marsh have made the bog bridges impassable and they’ve been removed. This mean the trail can’t be accessed any longer from the Route 215 parking area, and there is no safe parking along Route 1 to access the trail.
Though you can hear the roar of traffic at some points along this trail system, it still manages to be peaceful and lovely. Once upon a time you could walk a three-mile loop here—on private and land trust land—but it might be easiest to do a there-and-back on the north side of Route 1. The trail follows along the bay before taking you to a glittering Native American midden of oyster shells. The midden, on the banks of the river, is a mound of earth and shells several feet high.
Check out the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust for more info. One more thing — if it’s been wet, it might be challenging to pass under the Route 1 culvert (an old sheep tunnel?) connecting the two sides of the trail. (You also have to crouch as you walk through it.) Also, it’s advisable to come here at low tide, plus or minus three hours.
Directions: From US Route 1 in Damariscotta head north on ME Route 215 for 0.2 Miles until you reach Lincoln County Publishing on the left. There is a small pullover on the side of the road for a couple of cars. The trailhead is located directly across road from Lincoln county publishing (which allows parking for walkers). To access the southern portion of the trail, look for (an overgrown trailhead off to the right of the highway ramp. You’ll have to jump over the safety rail. You can also access the trails from Glidden Street. Walk through the driveway pillars and the trail through the meadow is to the right.
