“Know before you go” with our listing of every trail on each Avalonia preserve, along with difficulty levels, mileage, terrain, photos, and detailed descriptions of what to expect. Find the hike that is right for you.
The following preserves are trailed and include maps and more details. Jump to town or scroll to browse all.
Griswold
Griswold PreservesWe have several properties in the town of Griswold including Burleson Woodlands, Linnea Richardson Nature Preserve, Scola Preserve, Dutka Nature Preserve, and Robe Conservation.
Groton
Moore WoodlandsThe Moore Woodlands are off of Judson Ave. and Capstan Ave. and have hiking trails that connect with the Beebe Pond Loop Trail. preserve details / trail map
Town’s EndMature, mixed hardwood forest with a narrow tidal marsh extending 900 feet along the edge of Beebe Cove. preserve details / trail map
Leo Antonino PreserveThe Leo Antonino Preserve is off of Route 184 and provides a lovely respite from the commercialization in the area. preserve details / trail map
Ledyard
Atkinson Family Preserve/Thompson Brook Preserve
The Atkinson Family Preserve/Thompson Brook Preserve consists of two acquisitions on opposite sides of Long Cove Rd. in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard, for a combined size of 228 acres. preserve details / trail map
Avery PreserveLocated on both sides of Avery Hill Road, 0.75 mile north of Route 214. preserve details / trail map
Open field, mature upland forest with laurel stands, towering tulip trees, rock ledges and intermittent streams. preserve details / trail map
Trails have been in existence upon acquisition by The Nature Conservancy of the first tracts in 1969 and accommodate walkers, bikers, runners and horseback riding. preserve details / trail map
Pine Swamp Wildlife CorridorProtects one of southeastern Connecticut’s major aquifers and comprises three major tracts with multiple sub-tracts. preserve details / trail map
Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve
Six-acre parcel of very diverse habitat. preserve details
North Stonington
Babcock RidgeSloping , rocky uplands , high ridge vistas. Intermittent wetlands and vernal pool. Loop trail. preserve details / trail map
This 94 acre parcel is just a small portion of a very large and intact mature forest block known for its excellent birding opportunities. The area is rugged and rocky with great outcrops, formations, glacial erratics and stone walls. preserve details / trail map
Bell Cedar SwampBell Cedar Swamp offers a truly beautiful hike that allows you to become one with nature. preserve details / trail map
D.R. Henne Memorial & Shunock Brook Preserves
Linked to Erisman Woodlands via Babcock Ridge, the Donald Henne Memorial Tract of the Shunock River Preserve together forms approximately 220 acres. preserve details / trail map
Erisman WoodlandsMostly upland woods with loop trail crossing stream and heading up to Babcock Ridge shared border and connecting trail. preserve details / trail map
Mitchell Preserve & Reed Woodlands
Six contiguous properties extending between Preston and North Stonington. Approximately 2.5 miles of hiking trails. preserve details / trail map
This area is noted for its many mill sites along several rivers as they make their way to the bigger rivers flowing to the south. preserve details
Tefftweald at BirchenturnSeveral short loop trails of 1.5 mile main trail. Upland forest with numerous stone walls and rock ledges. Also a meadow (Lilly’s Lea) and open woodlands. preserve details / trail map
Tri-town Ridgeline Forest Preserve
Six contiguous properties extending between Preston and North Stonington. Approximately 10 miles of hiking trails. preserve details / trail map
Yannatos PreserveClarks Falls Road on Green Falls River, 600 feet west of intersection with Denison Hill Road. preserve details / trail map
Herman E. Sheets Family Forest
With a 2.51-mile, figure-eight style loop trail, this preserve features a diverse range of scenery and wildlife adjacent to the Green Fall River. preserve details / trail map
Norwich
Cedar Wood PreserveCedar Wood Preserve features a relatively flat upper section near the entrance and open woodlands as you go further into the property. The property was farmed until about 2017. preserve details / trail map
Preston
Preston Nature PreserveTwo trails featuring varied land features and vegetation, including two hills, a valley, hardwood and cedar forest, brushland, meadows, pastures, swamps and ponds. Well-established 0.5 mile trail system with bridges. preserve details / trail map
Stonington
Open meadow with sea wall and walking trail (approximately 0.1 mile) on Little Narragansett Bay preserve details
Several tracts on both side of North Main Street. Trail head on west side, easy loop through woodlands, along fields and rocky ledges to Stony Brook. preserve details / trail map
Hoffman Evergreen PreserveRoute 201, approximately 2 miles north of CT Rte 184 just before North Stonington line. Roadside parking at signed trailhead. Mixed evergreen and hardwood forest. Some wetlands. Extensive trail network. preserve details / trail map
Knox Family FarmAccess to preserve is via a right of way on private property. Approximately 0.5 miles of trails. Wooded area with kettle hole pond, boulder moraine and frontage on east side of upper Quiambaug Cove. Kayak access. preserve details / trail map
The Knox Preserve is accessible from Wilcox Road, off Route 1. The ocean-side preserve also abuts the Miner Cemetery – noted as being the oldest cemetery in Stonington. preserve details / trail map
Marcia Woolworth Porter Preserve
A small woodland path and boardwalk leads to a wide over-view of the salt marsh and water. preserve details
Paffard WoodsDiverse terrain ranging from heavily wooded glacial valley in north to coastal marsh on salt pond at southern extremity. Many glacial erratics, large trees, wetlands crossed by bridges, and hayfield. Approximately 1 mile of posted trails. preserve details / trail map
Pequotsepos Brook PreservePart of a trail system and larger greenway of additional lands held by the Denison Society and the Pequotsepos Nature Center. It can be accessed from Maritime Drive or by walking in from the trail heads on Mistuxet Ave. or entrance by West Marine store. This property protects the Pequotsepos Brook and contains an old quarry and historic stone bridges. preserve details / trail map
Open hardwood forest; some wetlands. preserve details / trail map
Perry Natural AreaEast side of North Anguilla Road. Former farmland and homestead with old walls, stone cairns, foundations and an old cemetery. Mostly upland deciduous woods with evergreen grove. preserve details / trail map
Access is by water with easy kayak landing. preserve details
Sandy Point Nature PreserveSandy Point Island is a beautiful 35 acre barrier island in Little Narragansett Bay, about 1.5 miles in length. Access is by water only and it is surrounded by shifting sand bars. preserve details
Simmons PreserveNorthwest corner of the intersection of North Main and Palmer Streets. Open meadow area on salt marsh edge of Quanaduck Cove. Water access allowed. preserve details
Wequetequock Cove PreserveOff Palmer Neck Road west side, several wall openings/bar-ways. preserve details
White Cedar Swamp & Deans Mill Wildlife Corridor
Contains endangered White Cedar Swamp habitat and loop trail that follows along high ledges above reservoir and continues into upland woods. preserve details / trail map
Woodlot SanctuaryThis land was destined to be house lots but has been preserved for all to enjoy. The two woodland loops are fairly level and easy walking with unmarked side trails leading to views of the wetlands. Off street parking.
preserve details / trail map
Parker Brothers PreserveParker Brothers Preserve is a small, parklike gem inviting neighbors and children to explore easily. preserve details
Interactive Map of Preserves – learn more about this map
Want to Visit?
All Avalonia preserves are open to the public from dawn to dusk. Many have trails, and maps are available online and usually posted on the preserve. To spare trees and avoid litter, we do not provide paper maps, but any mobile device will allow you to access a map from the website. Some preserves may have restrictions to protect fragile habitats or nesting species. These will be posted. Parking may be limited or on the roadside only, so please take care.
We ask that you enjoy passive recreation of all kinds, stay on trails as much as possible, and keep dogs on a leash to protect wildlife and habitats. Please review our VISITATION GUIDELINES here.
PDF list of all Avalonia Properties
Please enjoy Avalonia’s gift to you, and let us know what you discover through our Hike & Seek challenge.