Saunders is a 22.5-acre preserve offering a .75-mile loop trail down a wooded hillside, through a mix of majestic evergreen and hardwood trees. The trail brings visitors down along Kelly Brook just above where it empties into Pleasant Cove, which, in turn, opens into the Damariscotta River. At a fork in the north side (white) trail, hikers may choose to extend the hike down a gentler longer path or a shorter steeper grade, with signs to that effect. There are trails along both banks of the brook (one a continuation of the white trail and the other, across the bridges, the yellow trail). This is a “moderate” hike.

This exquisite woodland property was donated to Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) in 1993 by and in memory of Marshall and Margaret Saunders, who loved the Boothbay region and especially this piece of land. The Saunders family wanted it to remain a wildlife sanctuary forever where others could share its natural beauty. Hunting is not permitted on the Saunders Preserve.

From the junction of ME-27 and ME-96 at the traffic light in Boothbay Harbor, travel 0.9 miles east on ME-96. Turn left on Back Narrows Road and travel 2.9 miles north to the stop sign at the intersection with Pleasant Cove Road. There is a small parking area directly across from the stop sign.

The Maine TrailFinder website has a description and map of a hike at Saunders Preserve.