Pequotsepos Brook Preserve

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Trail Description – Stone Bridges Trail

Ample parking options exist throughout the Pequotsepos Brook Preserve complex; which connects to trails managed by the Denison Society and DPNC.  For the Avalonia specific trail, there are well-marked trail heads (purple and yellow) and beautiful views of brook/wetlands with occasional meadows.  There is a really nice bench to sit and eat a snack on while looking over the pond.  There are occasional board-bridges to walk on and access stairs from Maritime Drive, otherwise the trail was packed earth/dirt and ranged from 2-3 feet wide to broad open.  It is relatively flat with <100 ft elevation gain, easy in difficulty, and pet friendly for dogs on leash.  Located in Stonington, this trail is great for bird watching (most notably blue jays, shrub thicket and wetland birds).  It is common to see occasional wild flowers and old stone walls.  The trail is named for the 3 massive historic stone bridges crossing the Pequotsepos Brook and several smaller stone arch bridges that can be seen up stream.  The side spurs offer more scenic opportunities such as these stone arch bridges, 2 quarries, and small ponds.  The network of trails do overlap; however, there were an ok amount of trail signs and indicators.  Expect to see other hikers, to no surprise given location of close proximity to local attractions.

More Info

Part 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.

East of Maritime Drive, Mystic. Access from Maritime Drive across from ENKO parking area and from end of Pequotsepos Center Rd. Access to entire system trail head from Aquarium overflow parking area on Maritime Drive (6 reserved parking spaces on NE corner of lot).

Upland hardwood forest, small fields with succession cedars, small wetland pockets, vernal pools; stone walls and stone bridges crossing brook. Denison-Pequotsepos Nature Center’s Stone Bridges Trail connects the Aquarium auxiliary parking lot with Denison Homestead through this preserve.