Western Head Preserve

You have to walk down a dirt lane — with great views of Cutler’s harbor and its lobster boats — to reach the start of the trail system for this fabulous 250-acre preserve. Once you do, the path weaves along coastal scenery — edging a field, passing along three different cobble beaches, and bringing you through mossy forest. (At the beaches, you might be able to see where many previous walkers have flattened out the stones, creating a faint depression, but if you’re unsure of where to go, just head to the other end of the beach — you’ll see the path re-entering the forest.)

At about 1 mile, you’ll arrive at a 1-mile loop that brings you to the high bluffs that this region is famous for. Dramatic views abound! We recommend you do the loop clockwise, since the best vistas in our opinion are to the south.

The whole walk is about three miles. Our GPS clocked it at 3.4, which tends to run long.

Directions: From Cutler, follow Rt. 191 west approximately one mile. Take the first left onto Destiny Bay Road. A marked parking lot for the preserve will be found on the right about 1/4 mile before the end of the road. There’s room for just three vehicles. Walk down the road and you will arrive at the kiosk in a field in about 600 feet.