Central Penjajawoc Preserve

The first time I walked this preserve in late November, after a light snow, and I was the only visitor. The preserve offers a quiet walk, with a choice to do a shorter 1.5-mile loop, mainly in the woods, or a longer, nearly 2-mile loop that takes you to a view of the marsh and across a couple of fields.

You can also take an interesting 0.4-mile spur to a marsh overlook. The trail over the grassland area to the marsh is the best part of this journey. The path of matted grass is marked with white flags mounted on tall poles, probably to aid snowshoers and skiers in winter.

It’s nice to be on a preserve designated for walkers, with their simpler needs, after trying to figure out a labyrinthine trail system taken over by bikers. And that’s because bicycles, and dogs, are not allowed on this Bangor preserve. Here’s a great map here of Bangor area trails.

Directions: From The Central Penjajawoc Preserve parking area is off of Essex Street, about 1.2 miles on the right after you pass Grandview Avenue.