Walking Trails at Gilsland Farm, Falmouth Maine

Have you ever walked the trails at Gilsland farm? A wonderful activity to do with family and friends in the spring when everything is awakening at the Audubon! 

Trails

Gilsland Farm’s 2.5 miles of trails wind through meadows, in and out of woods, and along the shore of the Presumpscot River estuary. All trails are gentle with no steep grades.

The main trailhead is located just outside the environmental center at the end of the driveway. From it one can access all the trail spurs and junctions as well as the following principal trail loops: 

West Meadow Trail (0.7 miles)

This walk encircles the rolling West Meadow with its high bluffs overlooking the Presumpscot estuary and views to the Portland skyline in the distance. Follow the signs from the main trailhead through a small forested wetland and out into the field. Two observation blinds accessible by spur trails provide secluded spots from which to observe wintering waterfowl and flocks of migrant shorebirds that gather on the mudflats in June, August and September to feed on the abundant marine life exposed by the tide.

Pond Meadow Trail (0.6 miles)

Passing through the greatest diversity of habitat on the sanctuary, the Pond Meadow Trail begins on the left at the junction below the trailhead. Pockets of mature red oak and hemlock that date back a century or more are interspersed with stands of red maple, white ash, white birch and trembling aspen. Continuing through the woods just below the apple orchard, the trail leads down to the pond where muskrat and wetland birds live and feed. From here the trail leads up to the drive and then back to the parking lot.

North Meadow Trail (1.2 miles)

From the junction below the trailhead, bear right along the base of the parking lot through a grove of mature oaks and hemlocks and on into the North Meadow. A wide loop around this field offers views reminiscent of the property's farming past. Hayed annually in late summer after the nesting bobolinks and meadowlarks have fledged their young, this meadow provides winter forage for Canada geese and hunting grounds for migrating birds of prey. The bordering spruce and shrub edges of red sumac, northern arrowood and speckled alder are good places to observe songbirds.

Directions

By public transportation:Take METRO Route 7 from Portland or Falmouth Center. Northbound buses depart hourly from Monument Square at half past the hour. The bus stop is located on Route 1 at the end of the Gilsland Farm driveway.Complete route map and schedule.

From the north: take I-295 to exit 10 and then left on Bucknam Road. At the light turn right onto U.S. Route 1 and continue south for one mile. After the blinking light at the intersection of Routes 1 and 88, Gilsland Farm Road is on the right at the light blue sign.

From the south: take I-295 to exit 9. Continue 1.9 miles north on U.S. Route 1 and turn left onto Gilsland Farm Road at the light blue sign, immediately before the intersection of Routes 1 and 88.