A 28-acre preserve on the peninsula separating Hersey Cove from the Pennamaquan River offers a short hike through woodland to a quiet, sheltered cove and gravel beach, with a spur leading to a nearby point.
The trail entrance is marked by a Nature Conservancy sign and is flanked by two posts. Beyond this, the path follows a mown right-of-way across private property (please stay on trail) to enter a mixed oak-aspen-spruce woods.
The trail continues uphill, marked by blazes, to the top of a knoll where it crosses a small clearing and scenic overlook. It then descends gradually over rough ground through a spruce-fir-cedar woods with wet areas and many roots, to emerge at Southern Beach at the northwest corner of Sheep's Cove. Here are a pebble beach and pocket saltmash, with views southeast over the Pennamaquan River to Leighton Neck. Continue on the Devil's Well Trail to Western Point for views down the Pennamaquan River to Cobscook Bay. This trail loops back to Sheep's cove.
Depending on the tide, visitors can explore Southern Beach eastward to where passage is blocked by the rocky shoreline of Hersey Point. Retrace your steps to return.
Hersey Point was acquired in 1993 by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), which also owns nearby Coggins Head. The two properties form TNC's Hersey Cove Preserve.
Hersey Point provides critical nesting and roosting sites for bald eagles. Because foot traffic near bald eagle nests can lead to nest abandonment, visitors are asked to stay on the path and avoid the property's interior.
Cobscook Trails Project
The trails on Hersey Point are part of a larger network of hiking trails known as Cobscook Trails. Cobscook Trails is a cooperative project of conservation landowners and community partners that seeks to expand opportunities for nature-based recreation and tourism in eastern Washington County. The group produces "Cobscook Trails: A Guide to Walking Opportunities around Cobscook Bay and Bold Coast Region," a 55 page booklet describing walks on 19 area properties. Find more information about Cobscook Trails, including how to purchase the guidebook, visit: The Cobscook Trails Project.
Visit The Nature Conservancy online for more information or contact:
On US Route 1 in Pembroke, turn east onto Front Street approximately 1.1 miles north of the US Route 1 and ME Route 214 intersection (opposite the Crossroads Restaurant and Motel). Go 0.5 miles until Front Street ends at Old County Road and turn left on Old County Road. In 0.1 mile turn left onto Hersey Road and continue on Hersey Road 1.0 mile to a sharp left-hand bend from where the trail leaves just to the east of a private driveway. Parking is on the shoulder of the road.
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