Local Natural Wonders - Day 29

Local Natural Wonders Day 29 - Great Falls Preserve in New Gloucester, Maine

Great Falls Preserve is a 40-acre preserve in New Gloucester maintained by the Royal River Conservation Trust. Here you will find a 1.5 mile loop trail that includes a scenic waterfall at the mouth of a small wading pool. Glacial erratics, or boulders, and ledges create a bridge of land between two large wetland areas: marshes and beaver ponds. This is an easy hike with many natural features to enjoy along the way.

Directions, Parking and Trail Info from Royal River Conservation Trust:

Parking is available on the right-hand shoulder of Woodman Road, at the northern end of Woodman Road in New Gloucester. Please respect neighbors parking signs: “no parking beyond this point.” GPS Address for parking and trailhead:  381 Woodman Road, New Gloucester.

The 1.5 mile primitive loop trail follows the discontinued end of Woodman Road (today a woods road and driveway) before turning right into the woods, following the stream, and looping back onto the woods road to return to the parking area.

The trail is in good shape!  In spring or after rains the woods road has some puddles that require jumping.  Going out and back along the stream might be more enjoyable than using the woods road, but the woods road loop is delightful too.

Private Norumbega Chapel trails — private but open to the public — linked to Norumbega Cidery & Yurts leave the woods road on the LEFT, with variable signage and variable maintenance. (RRCT public trails leave the woods road on the RIGHT.) Please respect all signs and postings by all abutters. The Norumbega trails are mapped and promoted on Maine Trail Finder, and on RRCT’s Big Falls Maps, and with on-site signage.