Name: South Berwick Town Forest 
Resources: Sign at trail head offers an overview of trails
Rules: None posted, but the usual trail rules apply.
Parking: Space for a number of cars off dirt road in field at trail head.
Dogs: Seems likely, since no postings and lots of woods with few visitors. Generally it is required that all dogs should be under voice command and owners should be prepared to remove dog wastes from trail.
Tips: Rocky dirt road leading in may be hard on some cars.
Directions. Take right on Agamenticus Road from Route 4 out of South Berwick Village east toward Wells and York. Look for sign at small family cemetery at Knights Pond Road.
South Berwick Info web site

South Berwick was the first permanent settlement in Maine and, when those first settlers arrived, this is pretty much what it looked like – only the trees were larger back then. For urban dwellers, the scenic village of South Berwick is already a tad out of the way, but the town forest is even moreso. We stumbled on it while cruising around the scenic rural edge of Mount Agamenticus. If not for a small modern sign reading "Town Forest" attached to an old family farm cemetery, this site would be easily missed.

You drive toward the rambling old farm and bear right around a long rocky unpaved road that leads to a cluster of trees in the distance. There you’ll find a nicely painted sign pointing down the trail into the darkening wood. But beware. The sign includes a colorcoded map that, without scale or detail, offers a vague overview of the forested walk. But despite some really bright and clear trail signs, your first walk can be confusing. The main trail is very clear, what looks like an old tote road which allows for comfortable side-by- side walking.

But veer off onto Walt’s Trail and, without paying careful attention to the red paint marks on trees, one could easily get lost. The "trail" is hard to discern among the widely spaced trees in a lovely walk among pine needles and grassy and mossy areas. The trail indicates a major waterway, but the Great Works River was not there during our early August walk, just a deep empty riverbed. Walt’s Walk curves back up to the main trail, which has a couple of loops that can be disorienting without signs that indicate which way leads home. But the whole walk is on a gentle slope without any tricky areas, so eventually, you find your way. Perhaps more detailed interpretation is coming.

This is a great out of the way spot, one of a growing number in the Seacoast, that offer a chance to get deep into the woods quickly and largely alone in all seasons. If you feel the world closing in on you, here's 88 acres where, for now, you won't be fenced in.  -- JDR