Moses Woodman Preserve

This preserve might fly a bit under the radar, and the initial 0.4-mile trek on a woods road and through a sustainably harvested patch of woods does not quite hint at the true charm of the place. But if you make it through the first stretch of woods, across a power line, and down a short, steep hill, you’ll begin approaching the Saco River and some scenic riverside benches. It is pretty and peaceful.

The Saco Valley Land Trust has included signs explaining its forest management plan for the land. Additionally, a boulder at the trailhead has a plaque with a short history about the prominent local family that owned and eventually donated the land, beginning with Moses Woodman, who bought the property in 1789. The trail system is blazed, and there are a few homemade signs helping you from getting lost.

Parking for the trail system is small (room for about two vehicles) and somewhat unusual, because it’s about 155 feet down the road from what seems to the preserve’s main entrance, marked with the prominent boulder and plaque. At the parking area, there’s room for about two vehicles in front of a closed gate. Beyond the gate, a red-blazed trail continues for about a quarter mile before crossing power lines. It continues for another 0.2 miles miles before making a sharp left turn to connect with the yellow-blazed trail, which brings you back to the road for a 1.0-mile loop.

To continue to the river from the yellow trail-red trail junction, follow the red-blazed trail through forest for another 0.25 miles, passing a side leg to a bench on a ledge, before heading down a steepish bank. At the bottom of the hill the trail diverges into two loops (Sean’s Trail and Dylan’s Way) — both equally nice, and both with benches by the river.

Directions: The Moses Woodman Preserve is at 405 Simpson Road, about 450 feet beyond Fieldview Drive, if you’re coming from the coast. There’s room for just about two cars in front of the gated dirt road. You can also park on the road shoulder.