Trail Distance and Description: 11 mile trail system across the preserve and community forest; trails are often rooty and rocky and contain sections of narrow bridging over wet areas

Dogs: Allowed off leash under voice control. Must be on leash within 300 feet of the trailhead.

Bikes: Allowed

GPS Address:

Preserve: 369 Blackstrap Road, Falmouth

Community Forest (easier access to mountain bike flow trail): 106 Hurricane Road, Falmouth

Community Forest (additional small lot near Stillings Field): 493 Blackstrap Rd

Parking:

Preserve: unpaved parking area with 8 parking spaces

Community Forest: large unpaved parking area with many parking spots

Additional Information

Ownership: Falmouth Land Trust and Town of Falmouth

Years Protected: 1995 and 1999

Acreage: ~ 600

Property Uses: Hiking, snowmobiling, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, nature study, and horseback riding are all allowed. Motorized vehicles are prohibited, except snowmobiles on marked trails. Trails are not wheelchair accessible.

Additional Directions: From I-95, take exit 53 and turn left onto Rte. 100/26 North (Gray Road). At the second traffic light, turn left onto Mountain Road. At the end of the road, turn right onto Blackstrap Road and continue ¼ mile to the parking area on the right.  There is a sign on a tree at the entrance.  Note the trail map in the parking lot kiosk.  Follow the field trail down to access additional trails in the woods. Note to mountain bikers: If you are looking to directly access the flow creek trail, please park in the Hurricane Road lot near the I-95 overpass. Turn right out of the Preserve parking lot; continue on Blackstrap road for about 2 ¼ miles and turn right onto Hurricane Road. Continue about ¾ miles to the parking lot on the right. 

Property Description: Blackstrap Hill Community Forest and Preserve consists of two separate properties totaling 600 acres, making it the largest block of contiguous protected open space in Falmouth. The southern portion is Falmouth Land Trust property and the northern end is town-owned. The property is almost entirely wooded, with the upper portion bisected by a utility corridor. The West Branch of the Piscataqua River runs along the northeastern edge of the property and several small streams, some within steep ravines, drain water from Blackstrap Ridge to the river. Several miles of trails are established on the property and provide a wide variety of recreational options.

Habitat: Blackstrap Hill Community Forest and Preserve is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including deer, coyote, fisher, porcupines, beaver and many species of birds, reptiles and amphibians. A few very large white pine trees that escaped cutting can be found in the ravines and several waterfalls are present in the wet season. The river is particularly scenic.

History: Most of the town-owned land was acquired in 1995 as part of a comprehensive effort to preserve Wilshore Farm. The remainder of the property was acquired in 1999 by the Falmouth Land Trust. Both purchases were aided by Land for Maine Future grants. Historically, both properties were either woodlots or pasture. Water pipes found near the river are artifacts of the portable steam-power sawmills used on the site in the 1920s. The utility line was established in 1929. 

Cautions: Deer ticks are common; care must be taken to avoid Lyme disease. Water should be treated before drinking. This is also a popular hunting area, so use caution during hunting season.

CArr Preserve

Trail Distance: Coming soon!

Dogs: Allowed off leash under voice control. Must be on leash within 300 feet of the trailhead.

Bikes: Allowed

Parking: None (access by trail from Blackstrap)

Ownership: Falmouth Land Trust

Year Protected: 2003

Acreage: 15.7

Property Uses: Hiking, snowmobiling, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, nature study, and horseback riding are all allowed.

Additional Access Information: This property is accessible by foot from the Cross Falmouth Trail on the west side of Gray Rd just north of Kimball Way.

Habitat: Wooded, wetland.