Any time of year is a great time of year to be outside in Maine. Some might argue that winter is a bit too treacherous, but we’d like to remind those people that the entire point of Maine is to be slightly uncomfortable and unnecessarily cold. While we’re mostly kidding about this, we do think that a nice hike in the woods is a great idea any time of year and this one in Castine is a great option for those who can do it.
Witherle Woods in Castine is a gorgeous, rugged 185-acre nature preserve sitting right on the coast.
kd wald / alltrails.com
Winding throughout the woods is a 3.7-mile network of trails providing access to forests of balsam fir, red and white spruce, and white pine.
Benjamin S / alltrails.com
One of the best trails, providing access to forest and water views, is the Witherle Woods Loop.
hong-lin chen / alltrails.com
The trail is a loop of about 2.8 miles, leading directly to the edge overlooking Penobscot Bay.
Benjamin S / alltrails.com
There’s also quite a bit of history hidden within these woods.
kd wald / alltrails.com
Dating back to as early as the colonial times, it’s believed that French settlers used the woods as a trading post, a fort and a recreation area.
Christian Thorne / alltrails.com
The preserve even saw military action during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Elizabeth Seal / alltrails.com
Between the history and the beauty, there’s a lot to appreciate in Witherle Woods. A great way to visit is to set aside the full day to take your time on each of the trails. Or, you can plan on enjoying one and coming back for more. Either way, this is a beautiful way to appreciate the landscape of Maine.
Jim V / alltrails.com And Castine is a great place to spend some time after the trail.
Witherle Woods is open year-round, but be sure to take extra precautions when the weather is cold and icy. You can learn more about Witherle Woods by visiting the Maine Coast Heritage Trust website. You can learn about the Wiltherle Woods Preserve Loop by visiting this page on alltrails.com. You can also check it out on Maine Trail Finder. Don’t forget to bring the dogs along! Just make sure they’re on a leash.
kd wald / alltrails.com
Benjamin S / alltrails.com
hong-lin chen / alltrails.com
Christian Thorne / alltrails.com
Elizabeth Seal / alltrails.com
Jim V / alltrails.com
And Castine is a great place to spend some time after the trail.
For more time outside remember that the Cascade Stream Gorge Trail in Maine is full of awe-inspiring rock formations making it a great way to spend the day!
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Address: Witherle Woods, Castine, ME 04421, USA
