Knox Family Farm

Trail Description

Parking is on the roadside of Rt 1, near the entrance to Darling Hill Farm.  Do not go up the private driveway.  The trailhead for the Right of way is immediately to the right.  A map at the entrance illustrates how the Right of Way passes through private property to get access to the preserve itself.  For a short distance, the Right of Way runs parallel to Rt 1, separated only by a stone wall.  Passing through woodlands, wetlands, over a board/bog walk, and through a thicket will lead you to the opening by the private residence.  Pass under the rope and walk in front of the open bay garage.  Immediately on the right is a small gate in a stone wall.  Pass through the gate, closing it behind you, and proceed along the marked edge of the field to the well-marked trail head of the preserve.  Please, do not interact with the animals on the private residence.  Once through the trailhead, the trail quickly turns into dense woodlands.  With a combination of yellow and blue marked trails, you can diversify your hike to meet your needs.  Offering 1.82 miles of trails and with elevation changes of 135 feet, this moderate difficulty trail is sure to delight with varying trail widths of 3 feet to wide open.  On the blue loop portion, enjoy huge glacial erratics that look precariously balanced.  Take in all that nature has to offer – dense trees, wild flowers, and animals of all kinds (deer, chipmunks, squirrels, etc.).  With very old stone walls along a former farm pentway and cedar groves that may house owls in the winter, the trail is a unique beauty.  Also of note, one can easily kayak on Quiambog Cove and pull off at the well-marked kayak landing with cedar log stairs to the trail.  It is designated as pet friendly (dog on leash).

Note to Hikers: Right of Way

ROW runs along stone walls, over a boardwalk/Bog Bridge  and through a thicket which will emerge at a private residence.  The walking path is easy to follow along between stone wall and fence until a small gate in wall is reached. Pass though gate and close behind you. Please do not interact with any animals on the private property. The mowed ROW continues along the east side of the meadow, then along a north wall until one reaches a gate. Here the Avalonia Knox Family Farm begins and the trail is an old pentway through woodlands.

Follow the wide trail along old stone walls. The blue trail makes a loop up and around a large, seemingly impossibly balanced, glacial erratic. Note the large old oak trees in this area. The yellow looped trail goes along a kettle hole, through a cedar grove, home to roosting owls, and down toward the marsh . The trail follows a bluff or glacial esker along the cove providing scenic views of the water.    Here you will find a well marked landing and tie up spot for kayaks should you paddle up the  beautiful Quiambaug cove.

Updated maps to be installed on property. For details use online map.

More Info

Parking on north shoulder of Route #1 at entrance to Darling Hill Farm (337-339 Stonington Road). Access to preserve is via a Right of Way on private property. Approximately 1 mile of trails. Wooded area with kettle hole pond, boulder moraine and frontage on east side of upper Quiambaug Cove. Kayak access.

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Knox Family Farm: By Hiking or Paddling