Allanach-Wolf Woodlands – Joshua’s Trust
An easy 3.1 mile out-and-back trail on a 102-acre property managed and owned by Joshua’s Trust. Trail is well marked. Property features beautiful views of the 22-acre shallow pond known as Lake Marie. Fantastic bird watching and blinds for photography. No fee.
Read MoreBigelow Hollow State Park
You’ll find easy to moderate and difficult hiking here depending on season and conditions. For a short, easy hike consider the Bigelow Pond Loop. If you want a challenge Mashapaug Lake offers a hike of more than 10 miles. Expect water crossings. Keep your eyes on the skies and the tree line to spot the…
Read MoreRock Spring Preserve
The 450-acre Nature Conservancy property offers a 3.5 mile loop trail along the Little River, as well as a cut-through trail on an old farm access road. There is a great east-facing scenic vista looking over the valley into Canterbury, as well as a natural spring. Some sections of the trail along the river may…
Read MorePappenheimer Preserve – Joshua’s Trust
Easy wooded 1.5-mile loop on 101-acre property owned and managed by Jushua’s Trust. Hunting allowed on adjacent Mohegan State Forest so take precautions. Parking along shoulder of Rt. 97. No fee.
Read MoreEllis Walter Ruley Memorial Park
part of the CT Freedom Trail and the Norwich Freedom Trail, this park features a short but steep walk up to the homestead of artist Ellis Walter Ruley. You’ll find interpretive panels, the remails of Ruley’s home and a place to sit and contemplate his story.
Read MoreGiddings Park
This town property offers numerous baseball, softball and soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a pavillion and a playground.There is a relatively flat loop trail around the park. Behind the park, you can hike a wooded 1.3 mile loop trail; access by going down the hill from the parking areas. No fee.
Read MoreBailey’s Ravine at Ayer Gap
This 80-acre property is owned by The Nature Conservancy offers a short but rugged hike through a small gorge. Bailey Brook flows through the property, offering a handful of small waterfalls. Amoderate rocky incline at the start will lead to great view of Franklin’s countryside. No fee.
Read MoreThe Milo Appley Conservation Showcase – ECCD
Eastern CT Conservation District owns 85 acres adjacent to Windham County Extension at 139 Wolf Den Rd. in Brooklyn, CT. Access to the trails is through the gate at the rear of the parking lot. The trails meander around the property, crossing hay fields and wooded forest. There are a variety of habitats including streams,…
Read MoreOld Growth Trail at Leadmine Preserve
This is an ADA-accessible trail, on an island created by Hamant Brook that has not been logged for over 150 years. The landscape reflects the tornado damage of 2011 as well as an old growth forest from the 1700s. The trail is suitable for wheelchairs.
Read MoreBurgess Discovery Trail
A 0.4-mile ADA-compliant trail starting and ending at the lower Burgess School parking lot. The trail passes along the ball field into an upland and wetland forest cover environment traveling over some 150-ft of wetland (bog bridge), passes by several large glacial boulders and around a gravel drumlin upland area. Trail access information is posted…
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