NORWAY — The Fall 2015 Great Maine Outdoor Weekend is scheduled for September 25-27 this year. The weekend is an annual collaborative event featuring outdoor active programs offered by a variety of agencies and organizations throughout the state. The weekend was created on the premise that everyone can enjoy the outdoors no matter who you are or where you live: go to your backyard, watch birds, walk, local trails, paddling, hiking, skiing, nature walks, hunting, fishing. Promoted by the Maine Outdoor Coalition, the goal of the weekend is to connect friends and neighbors with the natural world, to promote fun, physical activity and good health.

In the Oxford Hills, the Western Foothills Land Trust is sponsoring a variety of opportunities to get outside and quietly active at some of the area’s special places. Offerings will include a woods walk in Buckfield, a paddle on the Little Androscoggin between South Paris and West Paris, a mountain bike or hike among newly installed Bernard Langlais sculptures in Norway, a sunset hike up Hawk Mountain in Waterford and a Noyes Mountain hike in Greenwood. All programs are free. 

Packard Trail Woodlands Walk, 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in Buckfield — This hike will explore the 2-mile Packard Loop Trail. The trailhead is located 1.2 miles south of 117 on the Sodom Road. Registration is required.

Hawk Mountain Sunset Hike, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in Waterford — Hikers will travel a moderately sloped tote road 0.7 miles to the summit of Hawk Mountain. A panoramic view at sunset will reward hikers, conditions permitting. Hikers may witness hawks migrating south and are encouraged to bring binoculars. The trailhead is located on Hawk Mountain Rd., 0.7 mile south of Mill Hill Road. Registration is required.

Mountain Bike or Hike with Bernard Langlais’ Bird Sculptures, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 26, in Norway — This activity will celebrate six newly installed outdoor sculptures by Maine artist Bernard Langlais (1921-1977) at Shepard’s Farm Family Preserve. Mountain bikers will prepare to hone their trail skills on the preserve’s 2-mile woods and pasture loop. The trails are beginning- to intermediate-level in difficulty. Participants may bring a picnic and enjoy the rolling landscape of the former Shepard’s Farm pasture. The Shepard’s Farm parking area is located ½-mile north of the Lake Road off Crockett Ridge Road. 

Noyes Mountain Hike, 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, in Greenwood — Hikers will enjoy an energetic, 45-minute hike to the 1,500-foot summit viewpoint of Noyes Mountain. The hike will explore the old Harvard Quarry and possibly bring back some quartz or mica treasures, showing hikers why the Western Foothills Land Trust is fund raising to purchase the 295-acre Noyes Mountain parcel. This event is free, but donations towards purchase of the parcel are welcome. Hikers should meet at the future preserve entrance off Richardson hollow Road, west of the Upton Brothers Road in Norway. Registration is required.

Paddle on the Little Androscoggin, 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 27, in South Paris — Floaters will explore the section of the Little Androscoggin River between South Paris and Snow Falls, West Paris. They’ll head upstream first and take it easy on the return. Floaters should bring their on water vessels, such as kayaks or canoes along with a personal flotation device. Registration is required. Floaters will meet in the parking lot behind the South Paris Library. 

Register: 207-739-2124.

FMI: http://greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org.