The Bearce-Allen Trail is about one mile long with moderate changes in elevation. Some areas have uneven footing and occasional roots and rocks to step over, while other stretches are smooth going. There are a few bog bridges over streams and wet areas.
The Gale’s Trail loop into NORGAL Preserve adds a little less than 0.5 mile and is fairly flat, with a few roots and rocks that are mostly avoidable.
This is a good preserve to visit if you prefer to encounter few to no people. The woods are peaceful and quiet.
Donated to Pemaquid Watershed Association by Allison Bearce Allen in 1991, the Bearce Allen Preserve consists of 40 diverse forested acres. It serves as a demonstration forest to showcase best practices in sustainable forestry.
In 1953, a forest fire swept through eastern parts of Bristol. The edge of this burn area can be seen about halfway into the blue loop. The dominant vegetation type in the burned area is gray birch, while the non-burned area is made up of red oak/Eastern white pine forest and red maple swamp.
The 45-acre NORGAL property adjacent to the Bearce-Allen Preserve is primarily spruce and pine forest with soft pine needles underfoot, bounded on one side by wetland threaded by streams. The property remains in a substantially undisturbed wooded natural state, presumably second growth based on the numerous stone walls that crisscross the property.
The trail at Bearce Allen features interactive tree facts along the route, which are fun and interesting for all ages. There are also several interpretive displays with details about the history of the site and information about sustainable forestry.
While the trails are lovely at any time of year, Bearce Allen Preserve is a prime spot to see lady slipper orchids in late May/early June, as well as other spring ephemeral flowers such as bunchberry, starflower, and blue bead lily. The foliage is lovely in fall.
Located at 19 Austin Rd, Bristol. From Damariscotta, take the Bristol Road 7.1 miles and turn left on to Sproul Hill Road. Travel 0.2 miles and turn right on to Austin Road. Preserve and trailhead are on the left, with small pullout for parking on the right.
