QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 35 acres
- Trail Mileage: 1.6 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: Pemaquid River, wetlands, wooded uplands
The trail makes two short loops on a little peninsula that juts out into Pemaquid River wetlands before the river flows into Boyd Pond. The viewpoint of the river doubles as a boat launch. The trails are mostly easy. The 35-acre preserve is protected by the Costal Rivers Conservation Trust.
Hatchtown is a local place name, and likely comes from the Hatch family, originally of Massachusetts. Members of the family settled in Bristol in the 1770s or thereabouts.
Directions: The kiosk and trailhead are on Boyd Pond Lane, which is a narrow, curvy, unpaved lane off of Sproul Hill Road in Bristol. There’s a sign for the preserve where you turn into the lane; this intersection is fairly close to Hatchtown Farm. It feels like you’re driving down a private driveway (which I believe you are, so it’s important not to block it when you park!). You’ll see the trailhead kiosk in about 0.2 miles, on the left. Park in the small open area directly before the kiosk, also on the left.
