Westmore offers nature experiences with distinctly different highlights: boreal limestone cliffs with rare plants, trails through meadow and forest to the rock known as The Rock, and groomed trails for both classic cross-country skiing and skating. Willoughby Lake adds striking dimensions to the mix. When planning, start by deciding what you want your stay to focus on: protected nature, hiking, winter activities or the lake?
Limestone cliffs and regional views
The Willoughby Cliffs Natural Area covers 950 acres in Willoughby State Forest in the Town of Westmore. Its boreal limestone cliffs are home to rare and endangered plant species. Excellent hiking trails pass through the area and offer sweeping views of the entire region. This brings plant life, cliff scenery and hiking together in one nature experience. For travelers who want to pay attention to landscape features and plant life while hiking, this combination offers a distinctive focus.
Trails to Sentinel Rock
Sentinel Rock State Park is also in the Town of Westmore and covers 356 acres. Its trails pass through a meadow and forest to the rock known as The Rock; they were created in partnership with the Northwoods Stewardship Center. The park offers sweeping views of Westmore and the Green Mountains. In area, it is smaller than the 950-acre Willoughby Cliffs Natural Area. The trails also have different themes: at Sentinel Rock, they lead to a named rock, while the Natural Area is defined by cliffs, rare and endangered plants, and sweeping views of the entire region. When choosing a hiking option, you can decide based on the trail destination or on cliff scenery and expansive regional views.
Winter in Willoughby State Forest
Willoughby State Forest is easily accessible via State Routes 5 and 5A. If you are planning an outing there, you can use these roads as a guide for getting there. Around 12 kilometers of groomed trails at Bartlett Mountain are suitable for both classic cross-country skiing and skating. This gives you a choice between two techniques within the same cross-country skiing offering. Compared with the hiking trails at Sentinel Rock and in the Natural Area, this is a winter alternative. Before your visit, check which trails are currently groomed.
Willoughby Lake
Willoughby Lake is more than 5 miles long and 328 feet deep. Length and depth refer to different dimensions: the first measurement describes its extent, while the second describes its depth. Together, they give a concrete picture of the lake’s shape. As one of Westmore’s nature attractions, it complements the cliffs and forest trails with a landscape whose striking features are expressed in these two measurements.
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