La Verna Trail (main trail): This is a fairly flat trail overall. The first third or so contains several bog bridges and significant roots and rocks to step over. Once the trail crosses meadow brook, it becomes broader and smoother as it follows an old road bed to Leighton Head.
Ellis Trail: This path winds through oak forest and includes steeper grades as well as uneven footing over rocks and tree roots. Along the shore, parts of the trail have an uneven side-to-side slope and require greater balance.
Tibbitts Trail: Similar to the Ellis trail, parts of the trail along the shore have an uneven side-to-side slope and require greater balance. There are roots and rocks to navigate as well. Once the trail turns north and leaves the shoreline, there is a moderate climb back toward the main trail in addition to some short and steep ups and downs.
This is one of our most popular preserves, and with good reason. The La Verna Trail (1.1 miles one way) is the easiest and most direct route to the impressive rock formations at Leighton Head. The Ellis and Tibbitts trails will add 0.7 and 0.6 miles to your hike, respectively, and both feature spectacular stretches of coastline.
The preserve was acquired in three parts between 1965 and 1973. Dr. Elizabeth Hoyt and her sister, Mrs. Anna Mavor, donated a 30-acre parcel; their family trust, the La Verna Foundation, donated a 55-acre parcel; and The Nature Conservancy purchased the remaining 34-acre parcel at the southwest end of the preserve.
The entire rocky coastline of the preserve is walkable at all tides and affords panoramic views of outer Muscongus Bay and the islands. Except for the sedge meadows and shrub swamps along Meadow Brook, the preserve is almost entirely forested. Oak-Northern hardwoods forest is the most widespread natural community on the preserve. This mixed upland type is dominated by red oak, red maple and varying amounts of red spruce, white birch and white pine. There is a vibrant vernal pool by the trail, and signs of beaver activity at Meadow Brook.
In season, look for wildflowers: Canada lily, lady slipper orchids, bunchberry, skunk cabbage, beach rose, and wood anemone all bloom here, among others.
Take Route 32 south from Round Pond. Go 3.5 miles south of the Round Pond Post Office (which is the same as 3 miles north of New Harbor Center). Notice Ocean Hill cemetery on your right. Soon after the cemetery, there is a parking area for the preserve on the right (west side of road). The trail begins directly across Route 32 from the parking lot.
