The Westerly Land Trust and the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) have preserved hundreds of acres of woodland, riverfront, and beachfront for everyone to enjoy in Westerly.

There are several great places to hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski. Here are some highlights:

Avondale Farm Preserve: Owned by the land trust, the 50-acre property features a coastal sand plain with ponds and tidal inlets, covered by native grasses. A paved road loops through the preserve. It’s ideal for walking, jogging, bikes or wheelchairs. Birders love the spot, too, according to the land trust’s web site, www.westerlylandtrust.org. Parking is off Quail Road, which is off Watch Hill Road.

Dr. John Champlin Glacial Park: The 134-acre preserve is a beautiful place to walk, a refuge from Westerly’s nearby industries and retail-shopping strip. Its massive boulders offer insight into New England’s topography sculpted by the melting glacier. There are ponds, sand barrens and ridges overlooking Winnapaug Pond, Block Island Sound, and Block Island. The preserve is adjacent to and just east of the Winnapaug Cottages development on Tom Harvey Road. There are trails throughout the preserve; they are marked by white blazes from the Tom Harvey Road entrance and blue blazes for the southern loop off Shore Road. The land trust’s web site has a downloadable photo map of the area and its trails. The map also shows places to park.

Woody Hill Management Area: Preserved by the DEM, Woody Hill is virtually unused, except during deer-hunting season. Limited parking probably keeps hikers away. The management area covers a total of 819 acres. It is 91 percent forested, consisting of deciduous forest, evergreen forest, and 225 acres of mostly hardwood swamp. Ancient stone walls wind through the property along cart paths. Woody Hill Marsh is a man made impoundment, covering 14.4 acres. The area abounds with wildlife. It is accessible from Woody Hill Road, off Rte. 1 (near McDonald’s), and also off Rte. 91 in the Bradford section of town. Maps are available on the web site www.rihunts.com by clicking on “wma’s.”

The Grills Preserve: Part of the land trust’s Pawcatuck River Corridor, the 482-acre property protects more than 2.5 miles of river frontage. The area’s trails are old roads, ideal for hiking, jogging, biking, and snow-shoeing, and the view from Big Hill is delightful. There is parking and trail access off Bowling Lane. During the warm months, bring a fishing rod and a fishing license to catch stocked trout. Maps of the area are available on the land trust’s web site www.westerlylandtrust.org.

Riverwood Preserve: Also a part of the Pawcatuck River Corridor, the 148-acre property has a variety of trails, all blazed. The lower trail has white marks; the trail over the top has blue marks, and the connecting trails have green marks. Access is limited because parking space is scarce. Park at the end of Boy Scout Drive, and walk past the Boy Scout camp to enter the preserve.

tmeade@projo.com