La Verna Preserve

Trailhead

Take ME Route 32 south from Round Pond in Bristol. Go 3.5 miles south of the Round Pond Post Office (which is the same as 3 miles north of New Harbor Center). Notice Ocean Hill cemetery on the right. The preserve parking lot is just after the cemetery (west side of road). Preserve access is gained by following a trail located directly across ME Route 32 from the parking lot.

Description

This 120-acre preserve features some 3,600 feet of shoreline, 2.5 miles of trails, and a diverse array of wildlife habitat, including mixed hardwoods, coniferous forests, forested wetlands, freshwater marsh, and gently sloping overgrown farmland.

Access to the preserve is directly across from the parking lot via the 0.6-mile Hoyt Trail, which is a right-of-way across private property; please stay on the trail.

The shoreline ranges from the steeply sloping ledges near the southern tip of Brown’s Head to the beach at Leighton’s Cove. Small springs and freshwater seepages also exist along the shore, sustaining communities of cranberry, sundew, and mountain sandwort, and, at one point, give rise to a small pond frequented by shorebirds. There are some steep section on the Ellis Trail.

Other Information

Masters Machine Company sponsors this preserve as part of PWA’s Adopt-a-Trail Program. Visitors are welcome to enjoy this preserve during daylight hours. Fires are not allowed. Be aware of poison ivy near the shore.

Leashed dogs are permitted. 

Trail Manager

Visit the Pemaquid Watershed Association online for more information and a printable brochure or contact:

Pemaquid Watershed Association
PO Box 552
Damariscotta, ME 04543
Phone: (207) 563-2196
info@pemaquidwatershed.org