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Hiking Trails & Recreation in Redding, Connecticut (CT)  
   

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Hiking Trails

Most of the information here comes from a mixture of my own experience on the trails and data on the trail locations and acreage from the third edition of the The Book of Trails by Joan Ensor and John G. Mitchell. The fourth edition was published in 2005 by the Redding Land Trust and the Redding Conservation Commission (and is available at the Mark Twain Library).

Tom Ebersold, hike leader for the Appalachian Mountain Club has written up a document to supplement Books III and IV in providing additional detail, especially with regard to parking and locating trailheads. Tom spent the winters of 2004 and 2005 exploring virtually all the trails within the town of Redding so it is a very helpful document that Tom has been kind enough to forward for use on this page. Below I'll highlight his comments under "Tom's Notes". Click Here to download Tom's Document. Thank you Tom!

NEW: View all of Southwestern Connecticut's hiking trails, online! New from the Norwalk River Watershed Association.

There is one major change in land trust policy: dogs are permitted on all these trails, provided they are under control of the owner.

Huntington State Park
Acreage: 900
Miles of Trail: 7.5
Entrance: Sunset Hill Road

Easiest way to get there: Route 58 East or West. Coming from Bethel, you will pass Putnam Park Pond on your left, bear left at the fork following Rt. 58 for approximately 1.5 miles, Sunset Hill is to the left at the apex of a right-hand curve, you will travel up a steep incline for about 3/4 miles, Huntington State Park is on the right. Coming from Easton, your point of reference is the four way stop at the junction of Route 58, Cross Highway, and Church Hill, from there Sunset Hill is the third road on your right about 3/4 miles up. Also, see Tom's Notes below.

What is it like? Wide open. Very good place to introduce the children to the great outdoors. The trails are well maintained, there are four ponds and a lake(state permit required to fish), it is also open to horses and bikes

Tom's Notes: The map in the book provides a useful overview of the park. However, it does not include many key details, including the parking area on Dodgingtown Road, the full trail loop in Bethel, and the color codes for the trail. By far the best map of Huntington State Park is published by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. This full color map includes point-to-point distances along the trail. You can download the map at http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/parks/huntington.htm.

The Sunset Hill Road parking lot is better known and more commonly used, but the Dodgingtown Road lot has some advantages. When you finish your hike and you return to that lot, you do not need to slog up the steep hill, which is often windswept. This other lot also has more parking. Alas, you do give up the views of the wolf and bear statues. To reach the Dodgingtown Road parking area, continue north past the Sunset Hill Road parking area.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: There are two updates to the map printed in Book 4: The open area north of the Sunset Hill Road parking area is now the Couch Hill Preserve, owned by the town of Redding. A description of this property may be found on page 22 in Book IV. Wood Road is labeled on the map in Book IV, but not in Book III.

New Trail: Six mile trail opens on Poverty Hollow Road Six-mile trail that starts on Poverty Hollow Road and runs through parts of Redding, Newtown and Easton was officially opened Friday, June 2, the day before National Trails Day. The Aspetuck Valley Trail is situated among 15,300 acres of land and connects with existing trails in Collis P. Huntington State Park in Newtown and Redding. The Aspetuck Valley Trail goes through The Centennial Watershed State Forest, which is managed by the state Conservation Land Committee. Formed in 2002, the committee came together when the state of Connecticut and The Nature Conservancy bought and obtained conservation easements from lands belonging to Aquarion Water Company.

Ground Pine Sanctuary & The Mahony Gift
Acreage: 61
Miles of Trail: 1.25
Entrance: Sport Hill Road

Easiest way to get there: Route 58 to Meeker Hill, right onto Poverty Hollow, second right onto Sport Hill Road, left into Charles Sanford Road(unpaved).

Tom's Notes: Charles Sanford Road is blocked off and apparently abandoned. Park by the boulders blocking the road at the entrance off Sport Hill Road. The entrance is opposite 87 Sport Hill Road.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: The Ground Pine map in Book IV has been reduced in size as compared to the one in Book III, yet the scale of 1 inch = 400 feet is indicated as being the same. The reduction means the scale is now incorrect for this particular map in Book IV, and, in fact, makes distances in Book IV only for this map look longer than they really are.

Samuel E. Hill Little River Preserve
Acreage
: 92
Miles of Trail: 2.89
Entrance: Cross Highway & Tunxis Trail North

Easiest way to get there: The trail head at Cross Highway starts in the valley, parking is scarce and the trail is not in good shape. The trail head at Tunxis Trail North is also in need of repair, but is the best place to park. To get there take Newtown Turnpike-from Cross Highway it is 3/4 miles from the blinking light on the right, once on Tunxis trail it T's about 100 yards down, make a right and park. From Rt. 53, follow Newtown Turnpike Tunxis Trail is the third road on the left about 3 miles from the reservoir.

Tom's Notes: The main trailhead can be found between 19 and 21 Tunxis Trail North. There is no suitable parking on Cross Highway by the trailhead, which is near 99 Cross Highway. The trailhead for the Little River North Trail is directly opposite this trail. To stay within the Little River Preserve, head east on Cross Highway, crossing the Little River on the road. Make a right into the field past the bridge and head straight back to re-enter the woods.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: The Equus Trail from Cross Highway is now shown paralleling the property boundary with the wording "Crossfield Scenic Area" added. The arrow indicating North is inconveniently located at the center of the book binding, making it difficult to read. Book III indicates that the Equus Trail is closed from March 1 to June 1. This restriction has been lifted in Book IV.

Little River North Trail
Acreage
:
Miles of Trail: 2.8
Entrance: Pheasant Ridge Road and/or John Read Road

Easiest way to get there: Route 58 East or West. Coming from Bethel, you will pass Putnam Park Pond on your left, bear left at the fork following Rt. 58 for approximately 1.5 miles, Sunset Hill is to the left at the apex of a right-hand curve, you will travel up a steep incline for about a mile, Pheasant Ridge is on the left. Coming from Easton, your point of reference is the four way stop at the junction of Route 58, Cross Highway, and Church Hill, from there Sunset Hill is the third road on your right about 3/4 miles up. You can also catch the trail half way down at John Read Road.

What is it like? The trail from John Read Road to Cross Highway follows the Little River and is both scenic and tranquil. The trail is singletrack, flat and winds along the babbling river. If you are looking to de-stress, this is the place. 

Tom's Notes: There is no suitable parking on Cross Highway. There is limited parking on John Read Road near the bridge, maybe 2 to 3 spots. There is plenty of parking on Pheasant Ridge Rd. (off Sunset Hill Rd). The trailhead is across from 61 Pheasant Ridge Rd. You can also park on Putnam Hill Dr. (off Rt. 58, about sixth-tenths of a mile south of Rt. 107). The trail passes through the driveway at 8 Putnam Hill Dr. When traveling north on the trail, as you exit Putnam Hill Drive, make a left onto Black Rock Turnpike, and walk a tenth of a mile. Look for the trailhead past the mailbox for house number 453. The mailbox, on the opposite side of the road near the trailhead, reads 53, since the 4 fell off. It took me some time to puzzle out how the maps for the Little River Preserve and the Little River North Trail align. Look at the pages 26 and 27 for the Little River Preserve. Turn the book sideways, so that Cross Highway is at the top. The map for the Little River North Trail would fit directly on top. Note that the maps have two different scales, so it is not an exact fit.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: Bridgeport Hydraulic land is now part of Centennial Watershed State Forest. Putnam Hill Drive is now indicated on the map.

The Joan Plishner Wildlife Preserve
Acreage
: 35.6
Miles of Trail: 1.3
Entrance: Bartram Drive

Easiest way to get there: Follow Lonetown Road past Putnam Park Road, Bartram Drive is on the right, park in the turn-around.

Tom's Notes: The trailhead is at the end of the cul-de-sac on Bartram Drive. The trail starts between the driveways for 15 and 16 Bartram Road. There is plenty of parking on this quiet cul-de-sac. The Plishner Preserve can also be reached from Putnam Park. There is a sign marked "Trail" on the upper walkway near the guardhouse.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: None

Limekiln Natural Area, The Marcus Gift & Todd's Wood
Acreage
: 183.5
Miles of Trail: 4.2
Entrance: Off north side of Limekiln Road, .2 mile west of Lonetown Road; through opening in stone wall. Special note: Park east of SNET pole 1836 & 30 yards west of entrance, on wide shoulder by stone wall. Private driveway-Do Not Block.

Easiest way to get there: Follow Lonetown Road past Putnam Park Road, Limekiln Road  is on the left.

What is it like? A hidden oasis. Once you get past the small swampy entrance, the trails open up to offer some of the best trails I've walk in Redding. The terrain is rocky with enough ups and downs to get the heart rate pumping. 

Tom's Notes: The book suggests parking on Limekiln Road on the shoulder. I find it much better to park on the street off Ridgewood Drive, a quiet side road. The trailhead for the Accessway is 100 yards east of Ridgewood Drive (toward Rt. 53). The Boulder Trail exits onto the road opposite 117 Limekiln Road. The map implies that the Knoll Trail is an out-and-back hike. In reality, it is actually a small loop on the northern side of the AT&T right of way. This right of way is not indicated on the map and should not be confused with the overhead Connecticut Light and Power powerlines. The Lariat trails turns up a hill to complete the loop back to the Gneiss Trail. At this location, an unmarked trail continues out to Limekiln Road. The turnoff is easy to miss, so keep an eye on the blazes.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: John Todd Way is described in Book III as being proposed. The road has been built and this change has been reflected in the map for Book IV. The trail starting at the end of John Todd Way, to the right of the gate for house #15, does exist and is unmarked. Continuing straight from John Todd Way, along the unmarked trail, and crossing the AT&T right of way leads to Bald Rock in Bethel, which is owned and managed by Bethel Public Utilities. As of this writing, Bald Rock was marked with "No Trespassing signs."

Bogus Brook Preserve
Acreage
: 36
Miles of Trail: .27
Entrance:Chuck Wagon Road

Easiest way to get there: From West Redding Station, take Long Ridge Road toward Danbury, second road on the right is Old Lantern Road, follow that to Chuck Wagon, park in the turn-around.

Tom's Notes: The Sidecut Trail begins opposite 30 Sidecut Road. There is limited parking at the trailhead. More extensive parking is available down the street at the West Redding train station.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: There is a minor change to the map for the Sidecut Trail.

Drummer Lane Yovan Tract
Acreage: 13.79
Miles of Trail: .5
Entrance:Drummer Lane

Easiest way to get there: Lonetown to Gallows Hill Road, Drummer Lane is the first road on the right or Route 53 to Gallows Hill Road, Drummer Lane is the third road on the left. Park on the road near entrance.

Tom's Notes: Park at the trailhead on Drummer Lane, which is six tenths of a mile from Gallows Hill Road. The trailhead is between houses 50 and 58 Drummer Lane. There is plenty of parking on this street. The sign on the tree reads "Drummer Trail."

Changes from Book III to Book IV: None

Gallows Hill Natural Area
Acreage
: 72.9
Miles of Trail: 2.19
Entrance:Gallows Hill Road CL&P transmission line.

Tom's Notes: If you plan to hike only in this area, park on Drummer Lane and enter through the Yovan Tract on the Drummer Trail. There is no realistic parking on Gallows Hill Road. You can also park at John Read Middle School and hike on the Reeve Biggers and Dan Beard Trails, cross Gallows Hill Road on foot, and enter the Gallows Hill area.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: None

Reeve Biggers & Dan Beard Trails
Acreage
: 153.5
Miles of Trail: 1.19
Entrance:Gallows Hill Road CL&P transmission line. Opposite side of road.

Tom's Notes: Park at John Read Middle School on Route 53. Walk south along the shoulder of Rt. 53 for one tenths of a mile. Look for the trail leading off to the left. When connecting to the Gallows Hill area, make a right onto Gallows Hill. The entrance trail (the Drummer) will be on the left, opposite 144 Gallows Hill Road.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: Bridgeport Hydraulic Land is now part of Centennial Watershed State Forest.

Saugatuck Falls Natural Area
Acreage
: 312.4
Miles of Trail: 5.74
Entrance:Route 53, opposite of John Read Middle School
Easiest way to get there: Route 53 to John Read Middle School.

What is it like? Perfect for families and nature lovers. If you like the flats take the "old field" trail, it gets hilly off the "falls trail"- take "hemlock trail" to "knapp way" for a good work out.  

Tom's Notes: The best place to park is John Read Middle School. There is parking available at the entrance near the archery range off Diamond Hill Road. To access Stormfield from this entrance, as you exit Saugatuck Falls, make a right onto the gravel access road, make a right onto Diamond Hill Road, and then a left onto the blue-blazed Moffett's Brook Trail. All these distances will measure less than a tenth of a mile.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: None.

The Saugaway
Acreage
:
Miles of Trail: 4
Entrance:West Redding Fire House
Easiest way to get there: Route 53 to Umpawaug Road, Fire house on the right about 150 yards up.

Stormfield
Acreage
: 161
Miles of Trail: 4
Entrance:Fox Run Road

Easiest way to get there: Route 53 to Diamond Hill(Mark Twain Library/Waterfall), Fox Run is the second road on the left at the peak of a decent incline. Trail head at the apex of a sharp turn a 1/4 mile down the road.

What is it like? If you like "loops" this is a nice set of trails to wander through. Whether you go left or right at the entrance you will face a nice climb, at the top it levels out. I enjoy the trail on the left "Halley's Comet" to "Harp Trail" that takes you up to the "Halo" loop that borders the property formerly owned by the Hermes family- great for running. You won't see Mark Twain's estate- it was lost to fire- nor the grounds - too many trees- but if you ever get caught in a thunderstorn up there you'll understand why Clemens changed the name from Innocents at Home to Stormfield.

Tom's Notes: The only realistic parking area is off the Fox Run Road entrance, which has perhaps six parking spaces. There are scattered places along Rt. 53 to park. The "trail" on the map connecting Stormfield to the Reservoir Trail and the Ravine Trail is not really a trail. It involves walking along the shoulder of Rt. 53.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: None.  

The Peter & Nell Fitzpatrick Preserve
Acreage
: 5.5
Miles of Trail: .30
Entrance:Wayside Lane

Easiest way to get there: Route 107 to Umpawaug Road, Wayside Lanes' second entrance which happens to be the second road on the right-the first road on the right is also Wayside so be sure to note it. From the second Wayside Road entrance, the trail is .3 mile on the left. Limited parking available.

Tom's Notes: I incorporate this area into a hike from Stormfield. There is virtually no parking on Wayside Lane, only an occasional spot along the shoulder of this very narrow road. If you want to hike from the trailhead on Wayside Lane, enter the Fitzpatrick Preserve by walking down the shared driveway to 28-34 Wayside Lane, which is one third of a mile from Rt. 107. The driveway is on the right-hand side as you come from Rt. 107. At the end of the driveway, walk left down the slope into the preserve. Look for white trail blazes.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: The mileage for the Link Trail is indicated in Book IV.

Arthur F. Brinckerhoff Nature Preserve
Acreage: 85.92
Miles of Trail: 3
Entrance:Beeholm Road

Easiest way to get there: Route 107 to Beeholm Road. From Georgetown Beeholm is the third road on the right. From the Saugatuck River Beeholm is the fifth road on the left.

Tom's Notes: This preserve offers the greatest parking challenge among any Redding hiking area. There is simply no useable parking area near either trailhead. The main trailhead is located between 5 and 24 Beeholm Road, near Farview Farm Road, a private road with no public parking. There is almost no parking near this trailhead, just an isolated parking spot here and there on the shoulder. Nearby roads are also too narrow for parking. There is no parking at the trailhead on Dorethy Road. The trail from this location is at the end of the road with a wooden sign simply marked "Trail." I access this area from the parking area off Dayton Road and hike to the Brinckerhoff Preserve through Devil's Den.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: References to the Orange Trail connecting the White Trail to Dorethy Road have been deleted from Book IV. The trail still existed in February 2005.

Ravine Trail & Tussock Bog
Acreage
: 158.6
Miles of Trail: 1.4
Entrance:Off Deer Hill Road or Off Route 53

Easiest way to get there:Deer Hill Road-Make a right or left up Hill Road(Rt. 107) depending on your direction, Deer Hill is the second road on the right, trail is .7 miles down the road. Route 53-follow Route 53 toward the reservoir, the trail is .2 miles from the Junction of 107 & 53, parking on the right just over the water crossing.

Tom's Notes: The trailhead begins on the left side of the driveway at 56 Deer Hill Road. The road near this driveway is the best place to park and offers plenty of spaces. There is only a parking spot or two along Rt. 53. The trail exits at a driveway near the causeway over the Saugatuck River on Rt. 53. When connecting to the Reservoir Trail, turn right on Rt. 53 and walk along the guardrail. The Reservoir Trail begins just past the causeway.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: The property is now called simply the Ravine Trail. The former Bridgeport Hydraulic land is now part of Centennial Watershed State Forest. References to the Tussock Bog trail, blazed blue and only 0.2 miles long, have been deleted from Book IV. The trail may still exist.

Reservoir Trail
Acreage
:
Miles of Trail: 4.9
Entrances:Multiple entrances off Route 53. One opposite the Ravine Trail, one off Dayton Road, one at the Redding/Weston line, one off Valley Forge Road, one off Godfrey St., and one off Davis Hill Road.

Easiest way to get there: The trail system follows the reservoir and Route 53, therefore one can start at any point along the trail. See above for parking.

Tom's Notes: There are numerous small parking areas along this trail. The best parking area is the gravel parking lot at the corner of Rt. 53 and Valley Forge Road. From this parking area, walk south on Valley Forge Road for two tenths of a mile. The trail crosses the road at this point. The trails are now marked with white blazes. Many of the aluminum "H" signs mentioned in Book III are faded away. The trail system is supposed to become part of the Blue Blaze Trail system managed by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. If so, then these blazes will be changed from white to blue.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: The former Bridgeport Hydraulic land is now part of Centennial Watershed State Forest. There are no references to the "H" signs in Book IV.

Dayton Road  to Devil's Den
Acreage
: 52(attaches to Weston's 1600-acres)
Miles of Trail: 3.2
Entrances: Dayton Road(Route 53 side)

Easiest way to get there: Route 53 toward Weston, right onto Tudor Road then right onto Dayton Road, trail head is on the left, parking on the right. You have to walk up a driveway to get to the trail.

What is it like? What a View! Take Pinchbeck to the Great Ledge for a great view of the reservoir in the winter months. Be careful to make note of where you are in here- I've ended up in Weston a couple times and had to backtrack out. 

Tom's Notes: The Bruzelius Trail as marked on the map in Book III on page 65 no longer exists. The Redding Trail on this same map in Book IIII now bears a sign on the trail that reads "Bruzelius Trail, formerly the Redding Trail." When hiking in this area, I strongly recommend getting a copy of the Devil's Den map, available from the Devil's Den entrance off Pent Road in Weston. The Devil's Den map has numerous marker posts to help orient you to the map.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: The updated name of the Bruzelius Trail is reflected on the map in Book IV with any references to the Redding Trail now deleted. However, the text description on the page opposite the map in Book IV describes a two-acre land trust property as abutting the Bruzelius Trail. This property, marked R.L.T. on the map, in between the words "Dayton" and "Road" lies to the left of where the original Bruzelius Trail was located.

The map on page 67 in Book III indicates "To Bruzelius Trail." As stated in the previous section, the Bruzelius Trail near marker post 61 no longer exists. This particular section of connecting trail does not bring you directly to the "new" Bruzelius Trail.

Changes from Book III to Book IV, This change has been properly reflected in Book IV. References to Bridgeport Hydraulic Company property have been removed from Book IV.

Lucius Pond Ordway Preserve
Acreage: 1660
Miles of Trail: 20+
Entrances: Pent Road

Easiest way to get there: Route 53 toward Weston, right onto Godfrey Road then right onto Pent Road, register at the map hut.

Tom's Notes: This map is quite good. For the most recent map, which is also in color, go to the trailhead for Devil's Den, off Pent Road in Weston. Changes from Book III to Book IV: None

Lonetown Marsh Sanctuary
Acreage: 11
Miles of Trail: .5
Entrances: Lonetown Road, across from the Elementary School

Easiest way to get there: Route 107 to Elementary School. From Bethel it will be on your right a half mile to three quarter mile from the Redding Country Club. From Route 53 it will be a mile and a half on the left. Park at the school.

Tom's Notes: Park at Redding Elementary School near the south entrance. Cross Rt. 107 on the crosswalk. turn right on the opposite side. The trail starts at an opening in the stone wall, across from 29 Lonetown Road. The map does not include the full trail. The trail extends north to Deacon Abbott Lane, South, a dirt road where there is no parking. Changes from Book III to Book IV: None

Marchant Farm
Acreage
: 9.6
Miles of Trail: .8
Entrances: Charlie Hill Road and Topstone Road

Easiest way to get there: To Charlie Hill road: From Route 53, turn onto Umpawaug Road and follow past the Fire House and Red Schoolhouse, make a right onto Marchant Road, Charlie Hill Road is the first road on the left. To Topstone: From Route 53, turn onto Umpawaug Road and follow past the Fire House and Red Schoolhouse, continue up Umpawaug, Topstone is the second road on the right, park at Topstone Town Park about a mile down the road on the left. The trail starts at the turnaround on Charlie Hill Road. The Topstone trail starts just up the hill from the parking lot at Topstone Park. After parking, make right out of the parking lot, up the hill about 150 yards is the trail head on the left.

Tom's Notes: Park on Charlie Hill Road. There is little realistic parking on Topstone Road. If you park at the end of Charlie Hill Road, there is a driveway at the turnaround with a sign that says, "Private Road." As you face the sign, the entrance is to the left with white blazes. The map does not reflect the fact that there are three stream crossings across Blackman's Pond Brook.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: There is a slight change to the map. In Book III, the Blackman's Brook Trail connects to Marchant Road. In Book IV, the trail intersects Charlie Hill Road shortly before Marchant Road.

Huckleberry Swamp *Currently Closed
Acreage
: 54
Miles of Trail: 1
Entrances: Chestnut Woods Road and Topstone Road

Easiest way to get there:To Topstone: From Route 53, turn onto Umpawaug Road and follow past the Fire House and Red Schoolhouse, continue up Umpawaug, Topstone is the second road on the right, park at Topstone Town Park about a mile down the road on the left. To Chestnut Woods Road: From Route 53, turn onto Umpawaug Road and follow past the Fire House and Red Schoolhouse, make a right onto Marchant Road, Chestnut Woods Road is the second road on the left.The trail starts at the beginning of the swamp(you'll know you went too far if you cross over the swamp). The Topstone trail starts just up the hill from the parking lot at Topstone Park. After parking, make right out of the parking lot, up the hill about 150 yards is the trail head on the left. Instead of taking a right to Marchant Farms, go left.*Be careful! The boards are rotting in some areas. Not a recommended walk for children.

Tom's Notes: There is room for perhaps one car at the Chestnut Woods Road entrance of this neglected property. The boardwalk along the swamp has rotted and fallen into the water.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: The map in Book IV properly reflects the fact that the boardwalk no longer exists. There is a loop on the red diamond trail within the Steichen Preserve that leads from the Westway Connector back to Charlie Hill Road. However, this trail is not shown on the map as a complete loop.

Windy Hill
Acreage
: 56.9
Miles of Trail: .14
Entrances: Seventy Acres, Umpawaug Cemetery, Firetower Road(Off Old Redding Road)

Easiest way to get there: Seventy Acres-Route 107 or Route 53 to Umpawaug Road. From 107, Seventy Acres is the third road on the left. From 53, Seventy Acres is the fifth road on the right. Once on Seventy Acres, Indian Hill Road is the first road on the left, park there. Make a left out of Indian Hill, the trail head is 50-75 yards on the right. Umpawaug Cemetery-Seventy Acres-Route 107 or Route 53 to Umpawaug Road, it is the only cemetery on the road-you can't miss it. Trail head is at the back of the cemetery. Firetower Road-Route 107 or Route 53 to Umpawaug Road, from 107 Old Redding Road is the fourth road on the left, Firetower Road is .1 miles up the road on the left. From 53 Old Redding Road is the fourth road on the right.Firetower Road is .1 miles up the road on the left.

Tom's Notes: This property is best used as a link to connect the Rock Lot and Scott Preserve with Topstone Park. There is no parking on Old Redding Road and limited parking on Seventy Acre Road. The best parking is on Mine Hill Road or Windy Hill Road, off Seventy Acre Road. The trailhead for the Swamp Trail is near 90 Seventy Acre Road. The trailhead for the Dead End Trail is located on Windy Hill Road, about one-tenth of a mile from Old Redding Road. Look for a small sign that reads "Trail."

Changes from Book III to Book IV: Windy Hill Road, listed as proposed on the map in Book III, has been built. This change is indicated in Book IV. A new subdivision has prompted a slight relocation of The Dead End Trail near Windy Hill Road. The trailhead is less than one-tenth of a mile from Old Redding Road and is marked by a sign that says "Trail."

Topstone Park
Acreage
: 274
Miles of Trail: 3.69
Entrances: Topstone Road

Easiest way to get there: From Route 53, turn onto Umpawaug Road and follow past the Fire House and Red Schoolhouse, continue up Umpawaug, Topstone is the second road on the right, park at Topstone Town Park about a mile down the road on the left.

For full details on the park contact the Redding Park and Recreation Department, Mon - Wed 8:30 am-5:30 pm Thurs 8:30am - 6:00pm. 203-938-2551.

Tom's Notes: Park near the entrance in the off-season where there are nine parking spaces. The gate is open during swimming season. (Users must purchase a pass to swim). There is no realistic parking on Old Redding Road or Topstone Road. The trailhead off Old Redding Road is by 74 Old Redding Road. There is adequate parking available on Topledge Road or White Birch Road. The trailhead off Topledge Road is between 23 and 26 Topledge Road. The trailhead to the Saddleback Trail off Old Redding Road is located near 140 Old Redding Road.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: The connection to Windy Hill is indicated in Book IV with the beginnings of a trail.

The Rock Lot & the Mary Evelyn Scott Nature Preserve
Acreage
: 213.2
Miles of Trail: 4.48
Entrances: Seventy Acres, Peaceable Street

Easiest way to get there: Seventy Acres-Route 107 or Route 53 to Umpawaug Road, from 107 Seventy Acres is the third road on the left, from 53 Seventy Acres is the fifth road on the right. Once on Seventy Acres, Mine Hill Road is the second road on the right, park there, the trail is across the street. Peaceable Street-Route 107 or Route 7 to Peaceable Street, from 107 travel approximately 3/4 mile down Peaceable looking for a CL&P power station as your reference point, once you see the power station on the left, the Preserve is just over the hill on the right. From 7 make a left or right onto Portland Avenue(Bridge over Norwalk River), go straight over RR tracks, up hill, make left on to Peaceable St. stay right, go up steep hill, trail head is just up the road from a small pond on left.

Tom's Notes: The best parking is on Mine Hill Road, off Seventy Acre Road. The trailhead is opposite Mine Hill Road. There is parking at the trailhead on Peaceable Street.

Changes from Book III to Book IV: Two trails in this property have new names as compared to the ones in Book III. The Mountain Road Trail has been renamed the Lincoln Selleck Trail. The Rock Trail is now called Joan's Trail. These changes are reflected on the map in Book IV. Book IV mentions a loop trail running through the Meadow Ridge property near Georgetown. There is no map for this trail. I have not hiked it and when I do, I will add that information to this guide.

NEW: View all of Southwestern Connecticut's hiking trails, online! New from the Norwalk River Watershed Association.

Other Recreation Options in Redding, Connecticut (CT)

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