Merritt Nature Trail

This is the print view for this trail. View the full trail posting.

Starting at Waterville’s Junior High School, this short trail leads around the campus on high land and dips into the gullies that separate it from the Thomas College campus to the south. 
Trail Activity
Snowshoeing Walking
Length
0.90 miles, Network
Difficulty
Easy
Town
Waterville
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Grass
Pets
Permitted
Fees
No

Description

The trail traverses land with highly erodible soils, thus the steep-sided gullies. These are cut into silts and clays deposited in marine conditions when the Gulf of Maine flooded all of Central Maine briefly about 13,000 years ago. You will be walking through a mixed forest with pine and hemlock and patches of ferns and other native vegetation. 

Other Information

This trail was developed by Butch Merritt, a teacher at the Junior High School, who used it for nature instruction whenever possible. 

Inland Woods and Pine Ridge Trails are in the area to the north as well as a Dog Park are on the other side of the West River Road.

Trail Manager

Visit the City of Waterville online for more information or contact:

City of Waterville
6 Wentworth Court,
Waterville, ME 04901
Phone: (207) 680-4744
View website

Nearby Events

VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR

Trail Tips

Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Respect other trail users and be courteous when passing.

Trailhead Information

From downtown Waterville, take Route 104 south. It becomes the West River Road where it crosses Messalonskee Stream at a double set of lights. Travel south until you see the Junior High School entrance and sign. Enter the school and proceed to the right beyond the school buildings. 

Legend
Hide All
Join In on the Fun!
Log in or create an account below to unlock all the great features of Maine trail finder: keep track of trails you want to do, preserve memories of trails you’ve done, earn badges, and more!
Your log in attempt was not successful. Please try again.
    Lost your password? Reset your password
    Don't yet have an account?
    There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.
      * Indicates required field
      Already have an account? Login here
      Enter your username, and we will send you a new, randomly generated password to your email account.
      There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.

        Success! A new password has been emailed to you.

        Log in now

        Please wait…