Highland Farm Preserve delights visitors with its excellent combination of natural beauty and centuries-old European settlement history. Located next to Boulter Pond in York, the preserve houses a network of seven different trails, all of which can be accessed via the trailhead on ME-91 W (Cider Hill Road). These trails allow hikers to explore a number of different habitats and ecosystems, including fields, oak-pine and oak-hickory forests, vernal pools, rocky outcroppings, and shrubland. There are several viewpoints of Boulter Pond and the York River watershed along the way. The history of the land is on full display, with stone walls, old family cemeteries, and a cellar hole all found within the property.
Highland Farm Preserve is a four-season destination, with trails open for cross-country skiing in the winter. The birdwatching is fantastic, with sightings of Red-tailed Hawks, Mourning Doves, Common Ravens, and even the occasional Bald Eagle all reported in the past. The area is an important habitat for the endangered New England cottontail, and the York Land Trust has therefore partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore and manage 30 acres of thickets that help protect the species.
Highland Farm Preserve was purchased for permanent preservation in 2009 by the York Land Trust with support from the Land for Maine’s Future program. This purchase was part of the Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative. The preserve was the focus of conservation efforts due in part to its proximity to York River and Boulter Pond, the latter of which is a source of drinking water for the local community.
Closest Town
York
Activities
Hiking, Walking, Hunting, Bird Watching, Nature Study, Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing, Wildlife Watching, and Picnicking
Region
Southern Maine – York, Cumberland
Acreage
151
Directions
From York, head southwest on US-1 S before turning right onto ME-91 W (Cider Hill Road). The trailhead will be on your right in three miles.
