Pownalborough Court House Trails

These trails on the grounds of the historic Pownalborough Court House traverse mature woodlands and dells while offering great walking, hiking, and picnicking in the summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Trail Activity
Accessible Adventure Snowshoeing Cross-country-skiing Walking Hiking
Length
3.50 miles, Network
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Town
Dresden
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone
Pets
Permitted
Fees
No

Description

The majority of the trail system is located in sheltered forestland on the east side of ME-128/Cedar Grove Road, the opposite side of the road from the museum, and on a ridge that separates the Kennebec and East Rivers. The system contains many loop trails with varying terrain and numerous options to make longer walks. The trail network contains a number of unique features including ravines with dells and stands of mature white pine, eastern hemlock, and red oak. 

There is a one-way, ADA-compliant accessible trail that leaves from the parking area on the east side of Cedar Grove Road. The three-foot wide, crushed gravel trail enters to woods, winds along an old stonewall, and before ending at a trail junction after 0.25 miles.

A perimeter loop trail extends from the parking lot and follows the original Cross Road continuing on to an original rangeway. The trail then intersects with the Common Road, a discontinued town road before looping back to the west across a town-owned woodlot.

The trail system also includes a trail that arcs towards the Kennebec River through a hardwood stand that extends above an old stone wall. This stone wall, the Cross Road, and the old Rangeway all hint at the mid 18th century settlement of the original community of Pownalborough, established in 1761 and overseen by the Kennebec Proprietors, as part of Lincoln County—then part of the Royal Massachusetts Bay Colony. They comprise part of the physical evidence documenting the settlement, transportation routes and the history of what is now the Town of Dresden. The old dirt road in front of the Pownalborough Court House leads to the Goodwin family cemetery and the short but scenic “Nature Trail” that leads to the banks of the Kennebec River below the court house.

Other Information

Trail maps can be picked up from the kiosk at the parking area.

The lawns of the Court House offer picnicking opportunities at several strategically placed picnic tables, and are provided with ADA-compliant restroom facilities available to visitors.

Lincoln County Historical Association has volunteers and re-enactors that put on diverse and dynamic living history reenactments both at the Court House and also on the surrounding property. For more information on programming, inquire with the Lincoln County Historical Association using the contact information below.

Trail Manager

Visit the Lincoln County Historical Association online and on Facebook at Pownalborough Court House Museum.

Lincoln County Historical Association

Lincoln County Historical Association
PO Box 61
Wiscasset, ME 04578
Phone: (207) 882-6817
info@lincolncountyhistory.org
View website

Nearby Events

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Trail Tips

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Trailhead Information

Parking for the Pownalborough Court House Trails is located in a dirt lot on the east side of ME-128/Cedar Grove Road, 1.3 miles north of Dresden. Additional parking is located just across ME-128 in front of the historic courthouse at the end of Courthouse Road. The accessible, green-blazed trail leaves right from the parking lot. 

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
smcdaniel
January 03, 2021
The farthest loop that includes the discontinued road is closed right now (Jan 2021), but still a nice hike/ski. There wasn't quite enough snow to ski the whole time without risk, so we half hiked & half xc ski'd the loop. Beautiful spot.
traildogs2
October 11, 2020
This is a nice trail network, some narrow trails, some wider trails. Paper maps are provided at the parking area / kiosk on Route 128 across the road from the Courthouse. You get a nice walk and history lesson all in one. Make sure to walk in front of the Courthouse, the Kennebec River is beautiful and there is a short walk along the shore that takes you to the cemetery. Anyone that is interested in history and likes to walk, needs to put this on their list "to do".
mellottkd
April 04, 2020
Wonderful trails. All trails are VERY well marked. Beautiful, peaceful location.
amputee association of maine
May 17, 2018
The Trail across the street from the Courthouse now has several thousand feet of ADA, wheelchair access, with a handicapped parking space. It is a great walk in the woods!
nalgene
August 08, 2015
Wow, what a great trail and a huge bonus the historical courthouse building. They need to publicize this more so people can experience this wonderful piece of Maine history.
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