Woodward Point Preserve, Brunswick

The trails at this marvelous preserve start out at the edge of huge fields. You have a choose-your-own adventure choice from the outset, as you can head down one of several mown paths to explore the 87-acre preserve. These trails take off down the meadows toward the sea, bringing hikers to different ocean points — all rocky, pretty, and unique in their own way. While the lengths of the paths vary, it’s roughly half a mile from the parking lot to the shore.

There is a map at the trailhead kiosk. If you don’t have time to do all the trails, I recommend exploring the eastern field. This trail splits about two-thirds of the way down the meadow. Both legs are lovely, but I found the trail that turns right into the woods to be particularly nice. The land trust has built steps down the steep banks to the sea.

This is how the Maine Coast Heritage Trust describes the preserve: “Woodward Point is one of the few remaining undeveloped waterfront parcels of its size in Southern Maine, with 87 acres of forest and fields and over two miles of shoreline along two peninsulas on the New Meadows River in Brunswick.”

Accessibility: I have marked the accessible trail in red.

Directions: Head south on Rt. 24/Gurnet Road toward Bailey Island/Orrs Island. After 1.2 miles, turn left onto Board Road. After .4 miles, turn right onto Woodward Point Road. Follow 0.9 miles to end of road and proceed onto the preserve. You can park in front of or behind the red barns.