QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 56 acres
- Trail Mileage: 1.5 miles in main loop
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: Sheepscot River, bog, big pines
The 56-acre Griggs Preserve, protected by the Midcoast Conservancy, is tucked away behind some lovely farmland, which you drive by on your way to the trailhead. The 1.5-mile trail is primarily wooded, with forest bogs and big white pines. Part of the trail parallels a track for freight trains, the Rockland Branch railway, along the Sheepscot River.
The land is sloped somewhat steeply down to the river, so while the first half of your walk will be an easy stroll, you’ll have to hike back up to the top of the ridge for the second half! You can avoid dipping too far down by staying on the White Shad Trail and avoiding the Blue Heron Leg.
The trails never bring you directly to the river shore; instead they remain slightly elevated above the tracks, offering views of the water through trees. The land trust has noted several other features besides the river on its map to check out: a spring, a large “hilltop” pine tree, a porcupine den, and a forest bog (where you’ll see lots of ferns). If you follow the Red Salmon Loop trail, you’ll also see a little forest ravine.
Directions: From Wiscasset, take Route 1 North about 2 miles and take a left at the top of the hill onto Cochran Road (look for Skip Cahill’s Tires/Citgo Station). Proceed about one mile and take left onto Trails End Road (marked with a private driveway sign). The parking lot and kiosk will be on your left.
