Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary

On a peninsula in the New Meadows River, this trail system winds through coastal forest of pine, spruce, and fir. Trail spurs lead to a former ice pond -- now freshwater marsh -- and vistas overlooking coves, salt marsh, mud flats, and open water.
Trail Activity
Snowshoeing Cross-country-skiing Walking Hiking
Length
2.50 miles, Network
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Town
West Bath
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Rock/Ledge
Pets
Not Permitted
Fees
No

Description

The 93-acre Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary is noted as having some of Maine's most valuable estuarine habitat. This trail system on the New Meadows River provides access to open fields and coastal forest and views of Back Cove's inlets and quiet waters. Osprey, blue heron, waterfowl, and a wide variety of migrant shorebirds are all known to be found here.

Starting across the road from the sanctuary parking lot, the Red Trail loops around an open meadow, offering great views of Back Cove’s marshes and clam flats. Leaving from the Red Trail, the Blue Trail traverses spruce and pine forest and crosses a brook before hugging the peninsula’s eastern shore. Reaching commanding views at Back Cove Point, the trail continues to follow the shoreline and reconnects with the Red Trail. Benches along the way offer spots to enjoy spectacular views of rocky shoreline, salt marsh, and open water. The Yellow Trail spurs off the Blue Trail at the heart of the sanctuary to weave between rocky outcroppings and freshwater marsh.

The Green Trail loops an additional mile and a quarter around a peninsula to the east.

Other Information

Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary was established in 1987 at the bequest of Millicent Hamilton, an avid birder and naturalist who lived on the property for 40 years. After a long process of community-based planning, the sanctuary opened to the public in the fall of 1998 with the construction of a small parking lot and toilet, plus major trail improvements. Today, the sanctuary offers nature exploration to the public, and naturalist–led programs for school children. Sanctuary caretakers reside in a private residence that once was the property’s farmhouse. Maine Audubon continues to explore options to expand the sanctuary and the public access it provides for walking and wildlife watching.

The sanctuary is open to the public, dawn to dusk, year-round. Donations for sanctuary maintenance are appreciated.

Trail Manager

Visit Maine Audubon online for more information or contact:

Maine Audubon, Gilsland

Maine Audubon, Gilsland
20 Gilsland Farm Rd.
Falmouth, ME 04105
Phone: (207) 781-2330
info@maineaudubon.org
View website

Nearby Events

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Trail Tips

Dispose of Waste Properly
Dispose of solid human waste in a cathole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, camp, or trails. Don't forget to cover it up when you're done!
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Trailhead Information

Take the New Meadows exit off US Route 1 in West Bath. Turn left onto New Meadows Road and go straight at the stop sign. Here New Meadows Road becomes Foster Point Road. Follow it 3.4 miles to the sanctuary parking lot on the right.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
painterhiker
April 11, 2021
A favorite trail with beautiful views.
traildogs2
December 10, 2020
Very nice trail network with lovely water views. Well marked and easy to follow. Parking area across the street with maps.
bethw7
August 01, 2020
Saw a raccoon foraging on the shore, 3 pileated woodpeckers, a ruffed grouse, 2 snowy egrets, a hairy woodpecker, several terns, and many red squirrels. Perfect day to walk in the woods and enjoy nature.
bethw7
July 25, 2020
This is one of my favorite spots in the midcoast. The fields are absolutely gorgeous with such a variety of wildflowers. Today I had deer (mom and 2 fawns) watching me just at the edge of the far field. There is always so much to see here. Beautiful trails and so peaceful!
andimr
April 21, 2020
Beautiful hike in the woods. Nice and flat. Easy to do with a 5 and 1 year old in tow. A little muddy, but not too bad. Nice views of the cove. Would do again. We also took the new green trail which had a lot of beautiful birds to see.
rslehay
April 26, 2019
I really enjoyed this trail. I took a couple of days and hiked several of the trails in the Phippsburg and Bath areas and this was by far my favorite. The trail is now roughly 2.75 miles long since they recently added a 1.1 mile “green” trail.
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