Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway is a cool place to hang out any time of year. There are 7.5 miles of trails winding through the woods, which are perfect for trail runners and beginner mountain bikers in the summer and cross-country skiers and snowshoers in the winter. And there’s a steady stream of events, like the air-rifle biathlons, mountain bike races, and annual Snowshoe Festival (happening February 10-11 in 2017).
But what makes the place even more stupendous: You can borrow cross-country skiing and snowshoeing equipment out of the warming hut for free.
Managed by volunteers, the warming hut at Roberts Farm Preserve is open during the winter from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. If you don’t own your own cross-country skis or snowshoes, you’re welcome to borrow gear from the hut and venture out onto the trails. No charge.
Donations are always welcome and appreciated, of course, which help support the efforts here. But the equipment is available to anyone who’d like to use it. Amazing, right? Cross-country skis, poles and boots, along with an array of snowshoes, fill the hut.
Once you’ve properly equipped yourself, head out onto the well-marked trails for a scenic jaunt through open Akers Field or into the woods.
WFLT also hosts lots of events here, including cross-country skiing clinics for kids and adults, regular amateur biathlons, and snowshoe festival. See all the events on their calendar.
Trails are groomed for skiing and are well-marked for difficulty (some of those hills don’t seem so big at first, but wow, they’ll get your heart pumping for sure). Other trails are differentiated for snowshoers, so those lovely snowshoes don’t garble up the ski tracks. And the Libby Trail has a super pretty scenic view, which looks out onto Lake Pennesseewassee.
Roberts Farm Preserve
64 Roberts Road, Norway
207-739-2124
wfltmaine.org/roberts-farm.html (There’s also a trail map on this page)
More trail info on mainetrailfinder.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/robertsfarmpreserve/
