Loring Conant Preserve

This Nature Conservancy preserve offers about 1.8 miles of trails through a mixed forest and a lookout over the place where the tidal Sasanoa and Sheepscot Rivers seem to meet. The trail system also brings you by a little wetland that is braced with a stone wall.

The terrain is fairly flat, with some gentle slopes. There are two trails that seem designed to keep you off the lane and private driveway here: From the trailhead, the 0.25-mile Old Farm Trail brings you to the 1.35-mile Conant Loop. From Goose Rocks Lookout, which is accessed via a short spur from the Conant Loop, you can check out a nice view of the river.

Expect bog bridges, roots, rocks, and very few people — this trail does not appear to get much foot traffic. It also might not be as frequently maintained as other nearby preserves.

Part of the charm of the walk is the drive to it, along quiet, forested, narrow lanes. I also suggest a walk here followed by lunch or dinner at Five Islands Lobster Co. (open seasonally)!

Directions: From Route 127, turn left onto Old Schoolhouse Road (at the cemetery). Go 0.4 miles and take a left onto North End Road. Go approximately 1.7 miles to a parking area on the left side of the road opposite of the intersection with Soldiers Point Road.