QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: ~200 acres
- Trail Mileage: ~5 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Sights: Big Falls, Little Falls, brooks
You’ll likely drive for a while on pleasant back-country roads before coming to this delightful and popular state forest. (A good stretch of Woodman Road and Durham Road are not paved.)
The trail begins along the discontinued Woodman Road, heading north. If you want to visit Big Falls right away, walk 0.2 miles on Woodman Road and turn right onto the blue-blazed footpath. This path follows Meadow Brook before arriving, in about 0.6 miles, at the small waterfall and pool, sunk into a mossy, shady forest. The trail then turns back towards the dirt road, for a 0.7 mile return trek to the trailhead and parking area.
You can also branch off the dirt road and do longer loops along footpaths in the woods on the opposite side of the road. The pretty Talking Brook cuts a quiet track through the middle of this side of the preserve. Be sure to check out Little Falls and a sweet little chapel on your travels over here.
To reach the Little Falls from the parking area, walk 0.1 mile down Woodman Road and turn left onto the yellow trail. After hiking up a steepish hill, you’ll arrive at the small waterfall in ~0.1 mile. The chapel, dedicated to the clearly beloved Frank “Harold” and Marjorie “Marge” Fralich, is another 0.1 mile farther along.
The two brooks that flow through the property — Meadow Brook and upper Talking Brook — are tributaries of the Royal River.
Also, be sure and check out the nearby Norumbega Cidery!
Directions: Parking is available on the right-hand shoulder of Woodman Road, at 402 Woodman Road.
