Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary is a 119-acre preserve in the heart of midcoast Maine at transitional region between Maine's southern and downeast coast. The sanctuary’s 2.5 miles of trails traverse mautre forest stands of red oak, white pine, red spruce, and hemlock while meandering along the rocky shore and tidal mudflats of Robinhood Cove. The trail highlights include salt marshes, a former beaver pond, and a brook. In all, there are diverse opportunities to walk on bluffs rising above the ocean, or stand on a cliff and watch reversing falls caused by tidal water tumbling over ledges.
Geology Trail (blue, 0.6 miles): The most rigorous hike in the sanctuary, the extremely varied and steep Geology Trail begins in the meadow just north of the cellar hole, winds through coniferous woods to Robinhood Cove, parallels the eastern shore of the cattail marsh, and returns to the meadow.
Rocky End Trail (red, 1.25 miles): Branching off from the Geology Trail near the cattail marsh and featuring beautiful views of marshes, mud flats, and the cove’s rocky shore, the Rocky End Trail takes you through the deciduous forest in the center of the property to the highest point on the sanctuary and then winds back along the East Branch of Robinhood Cove to rejoin with the Geology Trail not far from the meadow.
Horseshoe Trail (orange, 0.75 miles): Beginning at the southern end of the meadow, the Horseshoe Trail joins the Rocky End Trail after a half mile, at which point you can either cut back on the interior portion of the Rocky End Trail (an old haul road), follows its coastal leg back to the meadow, or continue to follow the Horseshoe Trail to the ruins of a small cabin high on a ledge. Combined with the interior leg of the Rocky End Trail, this trail provides the easiest walking on the sanctuary.
This sanctuary was willed to Maine Audubon in 1968 by respect naturalist Josephine Oliver Newman whose father had purchased the property for the family farm. Sanctuary is open to the public, dawn to dusk, year-round. Donations are appreciated for sanctuary maintenance.
Visit Maine Audubon online for more information or contact:
From the junction of US Route 1 and ME Route 127 in Woolwich, just east of the Woolwich–Bath bridge, head south on ME Route 127 for 9.1 miles to Georgetown. Turn right at the sanctuary sign and follow the entrance road to the parking area.
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