QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 226 acres
- Trail Mileage: .7 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: reversing falls, bay views
Downeast Coastal Conservancy protects the 226 acres of land here, and offers this explanation of the reversing falls: “On the incoming tide, the water filling Dennys and Whiting bays passes through the narrow channel between Mahar Point and Falls Island. In this channel, a huge ledge impedes the 9-12 knot current to create the falls, deep whirlpools and high swells. On the outgoing tide, the process occurs in the reverse direction.”
Seals supposedly like to play in the swells and currents here! I didn’t get a chance to see this because I got here at low tide. Boo. You can see the rapids in the Google map at least! The trail here heads out to a couple of peninsula tips where you can get different views of the falls.
Directions: Take Route 1 to Pembroke. Turn east onto the extension of Route 214. From the Route 214 extension, turn right at the stop sign and then take an immediate left up a small hill onto the Leighton Point Road. Continue 3.3 miles, then turn right onto Clarkside Road and continue 1.2 miles. At the end of Clarkside Road, turn left onto a dirt road and go 1.5 miles to the town of Pembroke land and parking area.
