Take a Hike.
Enjoy quality time outside, with family and friends.
Hiking trails are found on the Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center (BNC) and Pigeon Hill Preserve (PHP) property.
Purple Trail, PHP
The purple trail loop travels through open young forest, shady mixed forest, and wildflower meadows. Most notably, it follows along the sandy ridges of the glacial esker that the Pigeon Hill Preserve protects. Obstacles include steep and sandy terrain, log steps, bridges, and down logs.
Red Trail, BNC
The red trail is a half-mile loop that meanders through a shady forest with a floor dominated by ferns. Highlights include multiple views of the pristine Freeman Hill Brook and patches of Connecticut’s state flower, the Mountain Laurel. Obstacles include foot bridges.
Yellow Trail, BNC
The southern part of this trail loop includes a stop at the serene sandy shore of Freeman Hill Brook before traveling up tot he esker on top of the Pigeon Hill ridge. The smaller inner loop, also known as the Cardiac Bypass trail, follows, the new Wallace Barnes Accessible Trail. Obstacles include foot bridges and log steps on steep inclines.
White Trail, BNC
The white trail loop explores the dense thickets of the wetlands at the northern edge of the property and climbs through patches of mountain laurel to the open mixed forest on top of the glacial esker. Obstacles include foot bridges.
Blue Trail, BNC
The blue trail loop follows Freeman Hill Brook through the western portion of the property, providing great views of many breathtaking riffles. The trail can continue to Sessions Woods via the Nature Center Connector Trail/Tunxis Trail (blue blazes), or remain on our property via the White Trail. Obstacles may include foot bridges.
Leashed dogs are welcome on our trails. Please pick up after your pet.
Trails are open 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset, and free of charge!
