Sherwood Forest Conservation Area

Adjacent to the Sherwood Heights Elementary School is a really pleasant and seemingly well-used trail system on about 78 acres, protected and maintained by the Androscoggin Land Trust, the school and the city. The trails are all blazed, with lots of trail signs. It’s a great little preserve, with a tiny manmade pond in the middle. The school has also set up an outdoor classroom.

The walking is mostly flat and easy, with just a few ups and downs thrown into the mix — check the official map’s contour lines. For instance, you’ll find a bit of a hill heading out on the white trail to the red trail, and then also along the red trail, which makes a small loop.

Here is a self-guided tour.

Directions: Three trailheads leave from the school grounds. One is behind the ball field, the other behind the school building itself, and the third is at the end of 19th Street. Parking at the school is possible when the school’s not in session, otherwise, you can park in a small space at the end of 19th Street. (Directions from the land trust): Follow South Main Street to New Auburn to the intersection with Cook Street. Take a right onto Cook Street and follow until the intersection with 19th Street. Take a left onto 19th Street and follow until it dead ends. Park on the side of 19th Street and the trailhead will be on your left.