For a fairly flat and easy walk, stick to the Blue Loop trail. There are some gentle changes in elevation and the trail surface is mostly level and smooth. The trail along the edge of the bog is narrower, with some rocks, roots, and bog bridges to navigate. The loop under the power lines at the north end of the preserve is rocky and uneven underfoot in places.
The Marsh River Bog Preserve is a 54-acre property purchased by Damariscotta River Association in 2004, featuring a good-sized bog and wooded trails.
The bog contains interesting interesting plants – things that thrive in this wet, acidic, and low-nutrient environment such as wild cranberries and pitcher plants. If there’s a good freeze in the winter and the ice is very solid, it’s worth a (very cautious) walk out to the “island” in the center of the bog to see what’s growing there. Elsewhere in the preserve, in addition to a very pleasant walk in the woods, you might find wild blueberries, bunchberry, wood anenome, a mix of fern varieties, and other low-growing blooms.
The preserve, marked by a large sign, is located in Newcastle on the right side of Route 1 as you are headed south, just beyond the Snead Spur which connects Route 1 and River Road. Take a right off of Route 1 and pull back into the parking area among the tall pines. Northbound, look for a car dealership, Mike’s Place and Freedom Fuel – continue a few hundred yards and turn left into the shared dirt drive to park.
