Porter Preserve and Roberts Wharf, Boothbay

The Boothbay Region Land Trust’s Porter Preserve is a delight. While the main trail, with white blazes, is well-marked and amazing and beautiful, make sure you take the numerous side trails (blazed in blue) to the overlooks. From one of these vistas, I saw a seal swimming around the small sheltered cove. The land trust’s map also includes a symbol of someone swimming in the cove. I couldn’t quite imagine doing that on the blustery, cold day I visited, but I bet it might be nice on a hot summer day! I recommend spending a few minutes checking out the old cemetery at the trailhead.

There is also another short dirt road with a separate parking lot and trailhead to the north, to the pretty and busy Roberts Wharf.

Directions: From Boothbay Harbor travel north on Route 27; take a left at the monument in Boothbay Center onto Corey Lane. Proceed 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Barters Island Road and travel 2.2 miles, crossing two bridges. Turn left on Kimballtown Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and turn left onto a dirt road. Proceed 0.1 mile to a small parking are on your right just beyond the cemetery.