Orgonon Trails at the Reich Museum

If you intend to visit the amazing Wilhelm Reich Museum, and it is closed (it’s only open seasonally), come back another day! And to get over your disappointment, hike the charming nature paths, or “Orgonon Trails,” which are open year-round.

The museum is a fascinating and off-beat place where you can check out Reich’s cloud busters, orgone box, exuberant paintings, and the lab where he worked on his experiments. Even if you don’t accept Reich’s theories — he was an unorthodox psychoanalyst — the museum offers an interesting glimpse into Reich and the turbulent times he lived through, and the way in which he was persecuted for his medical pursuits.

The museum trails are diverse, some (the Red Trail, about 1.6 miles) make large swings out beyond the museum. Take the Red Trail to explore the pretty forest stream, Quimby Brook. Other paths stay closer to the museum and bring you to destinations like Reich’s tomb. The views from the hilltop house and the fields are magnificent.

Expect some inclines, especially on the Red Trail. The Blue Trail and the field trails are relatively easy, and can be accessed right from the museum. The Blue Trail leaves from the parking lot behind it; the field trips span out from the front of the house and down the hillside.

Directions: From the intersection of Routes 4 and 16 in downtown Rangeley, follow Route 4 West toward Oquossoc for 3.6 miles. Continue 0.1 miles after the sign for the Wilhelm Reich Museum, turn right onto Dodge Pond Road and continue 0.27 mile to the trail parking area on your left. You’ll see the trailhead kiosk. The road, Orgonon Circle, to the museum is a bit farther along the road, take a left and continue up the hill to the house at the top.