Bog Brook Cove, Cutler and Trescott

Bog Brook Cove is great for:

• Hiking – Throw on your backpack to explore Bog Brook Cove’s 5.5 miles of trails – there are options for hikers of all abilities! Scroll down for more trail info.
• Accessibility – Follow the wide, gravel universally accessible path 0.2 mile to a rocky promontory and scenic views of Grand Manan Island.
• Photography – Capture dramatic shots of bold headlands, as well as colorful scenes of bluejoint meadows, coastal peatlands, and cedar and spruce-fir forests.
• Birding – Grab your binoculars for close-up views of warblers, sandpipers, bald eagles, and seabirds.

How to get there

There are two main parking areas. The south lot, in Cutler, is located on Rte. 191. It is located 18.5 miles from the junction of Rte. 1 and Rte. 191 in East Machias (5-6 miles from Cutler Village and 8.2 miles south of Rte. 189 in Lubec). Use this lot to access the Norse Pond Trail and to visit Bog Brook Cove Beach.

To reach the north lot in Trescott, turn onto Moose River Road, which is the only road with a small triangle of land in the middle of the turn (20 miles east of Rte. 1 in East Machias and 6.7 miles south from Rte. 189 in Lubec). Continue 1.1 miles on the road. It begins as pavement, but becomes a rough gravel road. Go straight at an intersection with Bog Brook Road, near the midway point. Moose River Road ends at the parking area. Use this lot to access the universally accessible trail, the beaches at Moose Cove, the Chimney Trail, and the Ridge Trail.

Not sure which trail to take?

Norse Pond Loop. This 2.4-mile hike begins at the south lot. The path climbs up and over a couple small hills before reaching the start of a loop. Bear right to reach the shore of Norse Pond or left toward the ocean. Midway on the loop is a spur trail that descends steeply 0.1 mile to stunning Bog Brook Cove beach, where unusual rock formations can be reached at mid-tide or lower along the cobble shore (please respect the private residence located on the bluff above the beach and use caution crossing Bog Brook).

Universally-Accessible Trail. This 0.2-mile trail is open to hikers of all abilities. It departs from the north lot. Follow the wide, well-groomed path as it winds gently to a scenic spot near the shoreline with a slight slope towards the end. Relax on the bench to enjoy incredible ocean views and scan the surf for wildlife.

Ridge Trail. This 2.3-mile round-trip trail is the preserve’s most challenging, but also the most scenic. From the north lot, follow the universally accessible trail 0.2 mile to the start of the Ridge Trail on the left. Quickly reach the first of two short loops. Stay right and carefully ascend a rocky knoll which offers sweeping views of breathtaking Bold Coast scenery. Take the left loop to avoid the steep ridge. The trail drops steeply from the ridge to an intersection. Follow the meandering path across the low-lying ridge (note: the loud intermittent noise you may hear in late July/August is associated with the nearby blueberry fields). Follow the minor ups and downs of the main trail before reaching the start of the second loop. Stay right and descend rapidly towards Moose Cove or take the left loop. A very short spur leads to the shoreline, offering opportunities to spot shorebirds, bald eagles, and other wildlife. Retrace your steps to the first loop. Stay right here and follow the route as it winds below and around the rocky knoll before concluding. Turn right to return to the parking area.

Chimney Trail. This 0.7-mile loop begins at the north lot. Find the two trailheads on the south side of the parking area. Beginning on the trailhead closest to the ocean, head along the wide corridor as it leads towards the water’s edge. Some short side trails lead left to scenic coastal viewpoints. Once past an old chimney (remnant of a house fire), the path narrows and eventually leads inland. Reach an intersection where a trail departs left to Bog Brook Road – this path can be used to access the southern portion of preserve. Turn right, remaining on the Chimney Trail. Soon, a spur leads left and rises to a pair of rocky bluffs with limited views. The main trail continues right and descends to the parking area.

Tips from the MCHT land steward

“From the north lot entrance, I recommend the Ridge Trail. If you’re able, it’s worth the short climb and scramble to the top of the rocks on the first loop. You feel like you are on top of the world with sparkling water everywhere you look.”

Notes on topography, flora, and fauna

The Bog Brook Cove Preserve showcases a scattering of rocky knolls separated by gently sloping ground, swampy flats, wet meadows, and small brooks (an estimated 40% of the property consists of wetland soils). The diverse habitat is home to a great variety of wildlife, including black bear, bobcat, and fisher. In addition, the preserve has also enjoyed documented sightings of two birds rarely seen in Maine: yellow rail and upland sandpiper.

How this place became open to the public

The Bog Brook Cove Preserve consists of multiple adjoining parcels, interspersed with privately-owned properties. MCHT acquired the first parcel in 2005, but the bulk of the preserve was purchased in 2008 with support from the Land for Maine’s Future program. Combined with the State of Maine’s Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, it is part of the largest contiguous area of conservation land on the Maine coast outside of Acadia National Park. Maine Coast Heritage Trust owns a small cabin on the Bog Brook Cove preserve, which is seasonally rented on a limited basis. Please be in touch if you have any questions.

What’s up with all those blueberries?

The preserve has a long history of human activity that has included farming and forestry. Today, roughly 80 acres of the preserve are managed for commercial blueberry harvesting. MCHT has created a guide for farmers wanting to transition to organic blueberry farming, Organic Wild Bluebery Culture: A Guide to Transitioning and Tending (PDF, 3MB). When entering the preserve on the north end, the road passes through privately owned fields, not those owned by MCHT. Please don’t pick!

This place belongs to all of us. Please help us take care of it!

Preserve information/guidelines

• No Camping Permitted
• Fires By Permit Only – Maine State Law
  • Contact Local Fire Department for a Permit
  • Keep All Fires Below High Tide Line
  • Do Not Cut or Break Tree Limbs, Dead or Alive
  • Leave No Fire Unattended
  • Completely Extinguish All Fires
• Stay on Established Trails
  • Foot Traffic Only – Trails Are Not Suitable for Wheeled Vehicles
• Carry Out All Trash
  • Including Human and Pet Waste and Toilet Paper
• Keep Pets Under Control
• Please Respect the Privacy of Preserve Neighbors
• Please Don’t Pick Privately Managed Blueberries