It’s often been said some of the area’s tallest trees could be found in the woods surrounding the historic Pownalborough Court House in Dresden.

True or not, there are some pretty enormous trees to be seen on the trails at the Pownalborough Court House. Some of the northern white pines and hemlocks we saw during our recent hike were real Goliaths.

The trail system is owned and maintained by the Lincoln County Historical Association. Ed Kavanagh, LCHA president, said that George Keyes of Waldoboro, an LCHA trustee, secured a grant through the Maine Bureau of Parks and Recreation to help construct the trail system, completed in 2011. The Maine Conservation Corps and volunteers provided labor for trail work including construction of several small bridges. Kavanagh added LCHA eventually hopes to make a portion of the trail system handicap-accessible.

The trails are on approximately 75 acres of forested land and offer about two miles of hiking. They are located behind and across from the historic courthouse off Route 128, or Cedar Grove Road. There are several ways to get there. The easiest is to follow Route 27 (Gardiner Road) north from Wiscasset to Dresden. A few miles after you cross the bridge spanning the Eastern River you’ll see the turn on the left for Route 128. It will take you past Dresden Elementary School. The road soon bears left and runs along the Kennebec River.

The Pownalborough Courthouse is at the end of Courthouse Road (on the right) about two miles from the school. Follow the driveway and sign to the parking area. A trail map is posted on a sign near the courthouse. There’s also a trail brochure but none were available during our visit.

The trail starts behind the Goodwin Cemetery. Going left takes you to Route 128, cross here and bear right. A short distance on the opposite side of the road you’ll see a wooden sign marking where the path continues into the woods. The trail, blazed green, runs eastward and shortly crosses a small bridge spanning a small stream. Where it forks, a beige-blazed trail, identified on our map as the “Hardwood Slope Trail,” begins. This path gradually carries you uphill and intersects with the “South Rim Trail” (blue-blazed). Along the way are a number of points of interest marked with numerals. These include a majestic Red Pine, less common than Maine’s Northern White Pine tree. Further along a Yellow Birch is marked, a tree of commercial use in hardwood flooring.

In a place called “Hemlock Grove” on the blue-blazed trail, there were a cluster of towering Eastern Hemlock trees. Here we saw a strange stump on a tree trunk that bore a striking resemblance to a man’s face. We dubbed it the “Old Man of Hemlock Grove.”

At its highest point the terrain rises about 100 feet, according to our topographical map. You won’t see any views of the surrounding area or the river because the trees have grown too dense.

On the “North Rim Revine Trail” (blazed red) we came across the “Venerable Hemlock” one of three huge trees growing in close proximity to one another. This trail eventually bumps into an old tote road that once ran through the woods to the Common Road. The red-blazed trail continues west and gradually downhill alongside a tumbling stone wall and carries you back to Route 128.  Along the way you’ll pass where it intersects twice with the Hardwood Sloop Trail on the left. At one juncture you’ll see a huge hardwood tree lying on its side looking something like a giant lobster.

Once back at the courthouse we walked the river path identified as the “Kennebec Court House Trail.” It’s a short walk through the pines overlooking the Kennebec River shoreline. It ends at a stone wall behind the courthouse. As we were headed back to the parking lot we were surprised by a shrill cry. Looking skyward, we laid eyes on a pair of mature bald eagles soaring overhead.

All of the paths here are well-blazed, hard-packed and dry most of the way. “A very enjoyable walk in the woods,” commented Steve Christiansen of Wiscasset who accompanied me on this hike. We spent two hours traversing the entire trail system that’s suitable for hikers of all ages.

It was Christiansen who commented on the size of the trees. The secluded ravine with the stream running through it is referred to as a “dell” and provides an excellent place for tree growth.

Following your hike, have a look at the historic 1761 Pownalborough Court House and the grounds surrounding it. The courthouse owned and maintained by LCHA is open for tours during the summer and early fall. For more information, visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org.

The LCHA Trails at the Pownalborough Court House are open from dawn to dusk. Dogs are permitted but need to be under control of their owners. Hunting is permitted in season. ATVs, mountain bikes and fires are prohibited.