Land Trust Spotlight #6: York Land Trust
We’re thrilled to feature York Land Trust in our sixth installment of the Maine land trust spotlight series! York’s tidal rivers, rare birds, and iconic shagbark hickories are just a few of the reasons to check out YLT’s preserves. You won’t want to miss these trails — often off the beaten path — where seclusion, solitude, and nature abound!
Above photos feature Smelt Brook Preserve and York Land Trust HQ.
About York Land Trust
York Land Trust was founded in 1986 by a group of community members that were concerned about rapid development in the area. Over the past forty years, York Land Trust has protected more than 3,600 acres of ecologically valuable land in southern Maine and contributed to the protection of an additional 1,500 acres in the region. Today, York Land Trust offers 15+ miles of hiking trails across seven public preserves as well as 90+ free public nature-based programs per year! You can find recreational opportunities on York Land Trust land from the forests of Mt. Agamenticus all the way down to the salt marshes of the York River. Here, we’ve picked out four of our favorite hikes for you to enjoy.
1. Boardwalk Trail at Hilton-Winn Preserve
🥾 AllTrails Route 🥾
The Hilton-Winn Preserve is a gorgeous 195-acre slice of woods and wetlands along the Ogunquit River in York. You can find a rich diversity of plant and animal species near the water, including tons of ferns and a resident pair of beavers! There are two bridged river crossings and a scenic viewpoint along the way. As a bonus, the York Land Trust trails hook into Great Works Land Trust’s Kimball Farm North Preserve and the Hilton-Winn Farm Easement to form an even larger block of unfragmented conservation land.
2. Riverview Trail at Smelt Brook Preserve
🥾 AllTrails Route 🥾
Smelt Brook is a winding upstream tributary of the York River, lined on either side with expansive salt marsh and then richly layered shagbark hickories and white pines. York Land Trust’s 300-acre Smelt Brook Preserve offers a glimpse into the beautiful ecosystem through the Riverview Trail, a flat 1.5 miles through the woods and along the edge of the salt marsh. Visitors can regularly spot great blue herons and white egrets along the shore. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, you can paddle three miles from Scotland Bridge to the boat-access-only Landing Trail, pull your boat ashore, and traverse the wild and wonderful 0.17-mile trail. Make sure to time your trip with the tides; for more information, click here or contact York Land Trust.
3. Starflower and Boulder Hill Loop Trails at Lafcadio’s Woods Preserve
🥾 AllTrails Route 🥾
Dedicated in honor of conservationist Lafcadio Cortesi, 35-acre Lafcadio’s Woods Preserve is a hidden gem tucked just down the road from York Village. Popular with dog walkers and mountain bikers, this 1.3-mile loop is the perfect place for a quick, accessible immersion in oaks and pines. If you’re craving a longer hike or ride, visit Fuller Forest Preserve just across the street for over four miles of bike-friendly trails and glimpses of the meandering Dolly Gordon Brook.
4. New England Cottontail and Ridge Trails at Highland Farm Preserve
🥾 AllTrails Route 🥾
Highland Farm Preserve is York Land Trust’s most popular preserve for good reason. This 91-acre mixed field and rocky woodland preserve abuts Kittery Water District’s conserved lands and is home to a vast array of bird species. In fact, York Land Trust runs its monthly Bird Walk Wednesday here, which is free and open to the public with registration! You’ll find centuries-old cemeteries, stone walls and foundations, a large stone cairn, and a cellar hole within this preserve that all nod to the area’s colonial history. There are two scenic viewpoints, and if you look closely enough, visitors can spot a few porcupine dens within the rocky outcroppings of the Ridge Trail!
Thanks for reading and for exploring and supporting your local land trust. We appreciate all you do for Maine and for conservation, YLT!
About Land Trusts in Maine
Land trusts have worked tirelessly to conserve 12% of Maine’s total land, which is double the size of state parks, national parks, and national forests combined. There are 84 land trusts in Maine. While that number continually evolves, a couple of things stay the same:
Most of the permanent conservation of these lands is made possible by generous private landowners, who selflessly entrust their beloved family land to these trusts for conservation, environmental education, and community benefits.
Members and volunteers are the driving force behind land trusts, from creating and maintaining hiking trails, to environmental research, to nature-based community programs. Their efforts, both physical and monetary, make our favorite trails possible.
Looking for your next hike in Maine?
Check out the rest of the Land Trust Series here!
Dive into our statewide interactive map referencing all of our recommendations!
