QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 3,200 acres
- Trail Mileage: lots, ~11.5 maybe?
- Pets: no
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: Mousam River, grasslands, pine barrens, pond
This map shows both the Kennebunk plains (blue) and Wells Barren (orange).
This is a phenomenal area — a grasslands and pine barrens, protected by The Nature Conservancy, the state, and other organizations — which is home to several rare or endangered species. In late summer, the fields bloom with the world’s largest population of a purple flower called northern blazing star — the only place in Maine where this happens. The area is huge and a number of dirt roads and paths crisscrossing it. A couple paths head down to the Mousam River or little fishing areas. Most of the walking is flat and open — so you’re very exposed to the sun.
While the two trail systems in Wells and Kennebunk are close, it is not easy to walk from one area to the other (along the power lines corridor) because of a bisecting stream that divides them. I’ve seen evidence that some walk or snowshoe along the power lines during the winter, when it is easier to cross the stream.
Directions: From downtown Kennebunk, take Route 99 northwest; parking is available at the property on the right and on the left. There is also parking off of Maguire Road.
