nolde forest environmental education center

Whether you want to stroll or study, run or read, hike or...well, let's just say that Nolde offers experiences for young and old. So, get out and experience the fresh air of the forest.

When hiking among Nolde Forest's many trails it is easy to escape the suburban sprawl. Although the trails are not exceptionally scenic it is a great place to escape ashalt and concrete. The trails consist of hiking amongst trees. If you are not familiar with the forest's lay-out it could be a little confusing even though the trails do have signs. I would highly suggest obtaining a map of the forest at the parking lot. I usually hike for about two hours. I prefer to start my hike at the Sawmill Parking lot and hike uphill. However, there are trails which are relatively flat. Also, there are restrooms and a few picnic tables for visitors to use. Enjoy!

There were many trails through the forest. It was a nice exercise as well as very scenic. You would not expect such a secluded place so close to Reading.

At around 5 sq. miles, this is PA's smallest state forest, but 11+ miles of trails offer a lot of options for interesting hikes from 1 - 4 miles.The Watershed Trail and Boulevard are the most popular paths, both well groomed and easily accessed from the main Sawmill and Mansion parking lots off Rte. 625. The latter is usually closed on Sundays, and if Sawmill is packed you may be able to find a spot in the lesser known lots on Church and Oregon Rds., which border the park on the north and west respectively.The old stone mansion (now the park offices) is cool, and markers around it share old photos and the interesting history of the building and property when it was the Nolde family estate. The newer environmental center near the parking offers a good slate of nature programs for the public, especially kids.For the casual observer, there's not an abundance of obvious wildlife here, though birders seem to frequent the forest during migratory seasons. Expert birding aside, full-time fauna seems to be limited to deer, a couple pileated woodpeckers, and the occasional squirrel trying to stay from the occasional hawk. The keen-eyed may also find fingerling trout in the stream. The highest points in the park proper are along the Boulevard loop, but the thick woods make good views scant, especially during the summer. You can get a glimpse through the trees from the rock outcrop at the far end of the loop, and a clean shot down the arrow-straight swath recently cleared over the pipeline that cuts through the park, but that's about it.Just because it's small doesn't mean you can't get lost in Nolde Forest. Maps are available in the main parking lots and all of the trails are well marked, yet a surprising number of visitors seem to get turned around. So either grab a map, pay attention, or keep in mind that the Watershed stream runs through the middle of the park like a spine, and eventually flows past the Sawmill parking lot. One other caution: Nolde reputedly has more than its fair share of deer ticks carrying Lyme disease, which can be avoided by keeping your feet and dog on the trails.

Nolde Forest was planted by Mr. Nolde long before I was born. The trees were allowed to reclaim the land and now make up a naturalized forest, which is mostly evergreens. You can hike for over 2 miles on trails along streams and into the higher hills. Take bonoculars along so you can enjoy looking at birds and mammals. The streams are stocked with trout for those who enjoy the sport of fishing. It is on route 625 just south of Reading.

Nice forest but it seems the park offices are only open during the week. So it seems they are only really looking for the class trip crowd, There are picnic facilities at varius places in the forest. Trails are easy to follow and do have some level trails to hike for those not up to going up and down hills.