Since Norway’s founding in 1797, this high ridge land has supported the working farms of Benjamin Witt, Joshua Crockett, Charles Freeman, and John Shepard. Donated to the Western Foothills Land Trust by the Detert Family in 2010, this twenty acre Preserve is open year round for non-motorized recreation. Enjoy the woods trail or the rolling former dairy farm pasture, perfectly suited for sledding, XC skiing, snowshoeing, and kite flying (should the winds comply). The Preserve is a wonderful place for young families, dog walkers, star gazers, and picnickers.
The central trails of the network are mixed use (including mountain biking) and the outer trails are single track.
The single-track Witt Swamp Trail, completed in 2016, extends north from Shepard's Preserve for just over 2 miles. The trail currently connects Shepard's Farm Preserve to Pleasant Street. The half-mile Half Witt Trail allows for a loop around the north end of the Witt Swamp Trail. Western Foothills Land Trust has plans to continue this trail farther in coming years, connecting Shepard's Preserve with the Witt Swamp Preserve to the east.
Shepard's Farm Preserve also features six Bernard Langlais sculptures, part of a statewide art trail. Learn more...
Please follow standard trail etiquette of leave no trace. We welcome you to record your visit in the Preserve journal.
Shepard’s Farm Family Preserve is also contiguous with the Trust’s Witt Swamp Preserve, creating a 161-acre protected corridor for wildlife. A walking trail linking the two Preserves and Pleasant and Crockett Ridge Roads is currently under construction.
Please, no horses.
Visit Western Foothills Land Trust online for more information and a printable map or contact:
Western Foothills Land TrustShepard's Farm Family Preserve is west of downtown Norway off Crockett Ridge Road. The parking area and trailhead are located 0.5 miles north of ME-117/118 at 121 Crockett Ridge Road. The trailhead and small kiosk are to the right of the parking area.
A parallel parking area and trailhead are located on Pleasant Street, approximately 1.5 miles north of Main Street.
Address: 121 Crockett Ridge Road, Norway
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