Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary

This preserve offers a varied and pleasant walk through more than 100 acres of hemlock and white pine forest, an overgrown orchard, small fields and, briefly, a trail that follows a pretty creek — the Mill Stream Trail. I have found that the trails might need a bit of refreshing at times, and it can be wet going in the spring.

The full outer loop of the trail system is about 1.4 miles. The walking is fairy easy, with roots and some uneven terrain. If you do the loop counter-clockwise, you first walk 0.25 miles along on a dirt road, bringing you to the impressive stone remains of a mill, dating back to the 18th century, with a 150-foot dam! At this point, you can take a left into the meadows, past the old house, or go right onto the lovely Mill Stream Trail and walk along the stream for about 0.25 miles.

The sanctuary abuts the Harraseeket River estuary. The name of the preserve derives from the days (early 1700s) when masts were made here for the British navy. In time, the stream powered a saw mill, two grist mills, and a fulling mill.

Directions: Take exit 22 to merge onto ME-125 S/ME-136 S/Mallet Dr toward Freeport. Turn right onto Main St. In about .2 mile turn left onto Bow St. After about 1 mile turn left onto Upper Mast Landing Rd. The turn-in is about .2 mile up the road on your right. Parking is to the left.