Posted on September 24, 2019 and last updated on March 03, 2024

Red Rose Preserve, Bowdoinham

QUICK TRAIL FACTS

  • Preserve Size: 62 acres
  • Trail Mileage: 1 mile loop
  • Pets: yes
  • Difficulty: easy, with some steep sections
  • Sights: hayfields, forest

The well-designed loop trail, on a Kennebec Estuary Land Trust preserve, begins and ends at two corners of the school’s ballfields. When you park in the lot, on the side farthest from Bowdoinham Community School, you’ll see the trailhead kiosk set a short distance from the parking lot, between the lot and the ballfields.

From the kiosk, walk along the ballfield and look for the two trail entrances into the woods at the two back corners of the field. The looped Gully Trail heads steeply down and over a beautiful boardwalk (on both sides!). The trail is mostly wooded, with one section coming out on some pretty hayfields. I absolutely love the name of the preserve—it’s poetic and alluring. But I didn’t spot any roses! I did see many beautiful ferns.

Directions: Park in the lot for the town of Bowdoinham’s sports fields off Ridge Road. The approximate street address is 66 Ridge Road. Walk toward the baseball diamond and look for the trail heading into the woods.

Let me know if you have any trail updates or corrections!