February 13-15, 2022
Rachel Carson NWR consists of several areas along the coast of southern (below Portland) Maine. The online brochure linked to the official website says there are five maintained trails, but then it lists seven. Three of those are adjacent to the refuge and not quite on it. I did all seven over the course of three days while I was in Kennebunkport for personal reasons. It’s a lovely area with no crowds or bugs this time of year. I’ll describe the trails during the rest of this week, adding to the post one day/trail description at a time.
Timber Point Trail is a National Recreation Trail in the refuge’s Biddeford segment. There is a small parking area for five cars with no parking anywhere else near the trail. This is a gorgeous residential area that sticks out between Little River and Curtis Cove, so get there early during busy seasons for the residents understandably won’t tolerate visitors’ cars blocking their driveways or streets. I was happy to have the trail to myself on what I keep forgetting was Superbowl Sunday (I don’t watch spectator sports and still don’t know which teams competed). The last section of the trail is accessible at low tide only, so check Biddeford’s tide chart (online) before you plan your visit. I timed my arrival so I was able to walk out to the island and back with no threat of getting stuck out there.
Goosefare Brook Trail in nearby Saco, Maine was next – this is not so much a trail as a platform close to the side of the road.
The next morning (the 14th), I met a friend, Linda, at Carson Trail. This National Recreation Trail is located right next to the refuge’s headquarters in the Upper Wells Division. Linda brought her young pup Brody who was a bundle of joy and energy. Note this is the only trail in the refuge where dogs are allowed, and they must be leashed.
This loop trail is just over a mile long and provides views of the salt marsh.
The next stop was The Bridle Trail, which is a three-ish mile (one way) through some trees in Kennebunk.
In the afternoon, I went up to Old Orchard Beach and hiked the Atlantic Way Trail and the Ted Wells Trail. There’s a parking area just down the street for the former and Oceanwood Camp by the latter. The camp is closed in the winter, so I was able to park close to the trailhead. I’d give them a call before arriving during the other three seasons and ask where they want you to put your car.
Both trails consist of a pleasant stroll through trees. Atlantic Way begins by crossing a stretch of narrow land across a branch of Goosefare Brook, and Ted Wells ends with an expansive view of a salt marsh.
On the way home the morning of the 15th, I took a detour down to Kittery Point to hike the refuge’s Cutts Island Trail. This trail offers two options for loop hikes, both under a mile. If you want an expansive salt marsh view, take the spur path at the end and do the whole thing. It’s still less than a mile and a half over easy terrain. Note there are only a couple spaces for parking, so arrive early during the busy seasons or hike midweek in winter like I did.
