Towns: Hampton, Eastford, Ashford
Trail Overview: The Natchaug Trail traverses the James L. Goodwin and Natchaug State Forests. Together with the Nipmuck State Forest, Yale Forest and several large private tracts, they combine to form one of the largest areas of contiguous forest in southern New England supporting a large variety of wildlife.
The trail follows a short portion of the beautiful Still River and journeys along Bigelow Brook. Meandering over relatively easy terrain, it crosses several small brooks, passes stone walls, and slips through interesting stands of trees. State foresters actively manage these forests for wildlife and timber production and the trail traverses a diverse and interesting tree mix ranging from 2 to well over 100 years old.
There are opportunities to catch sight of a variety of wildlife including turtles, beavers, and many birds along the streams and in the areas around Pine Acres Pond, Black Spruce, and Beaverdam Marshes. Active forest management has produced a variety of young, early-succession forest habitats which abound with diverse species of birds and other wildlife.
History is abundant along the trail as it passes near old CCC Camp Fernow (1933-42) and through General Nathaniel Lyon Memorial Park (first General to be killed in the Civil War). A short northern section also coincides with the Old Connecticut Path traveled in the 1630s by settlers (driving over 100 cattle) from the Boston area to the Hartford area in one of the first major inland migrations of America by European settlers.
The Natchaug Trail joins the Nipmuck Trail in Ashford and hikers can continue exploring north to Bigelow Hollow State Park and the CT/MA state line or south to Mansfield Hollow State Park.
The James L. Goodwin Conservation Education Center, on Pine Acres Pond in Hampton, offers extensive educational programming, interpretive trails and guided walks. It maintains a Native Plant Wildlife Garden and offers both Nature and History Museums. This site is jointly managed by CFPA and CT DEEP.
Allowed Uses: Hiking
Trail Overview: The Natchaug Trail traverses the James L. Goodwin and Natchaug State Forests. Together with the Nipmuck State Forest, Yale Forest and several large private tracts, they combine to form one of the largest areas of contiguous forest in southern New England supporting a large variety of wildlife.
The trail follows a short portion of the beautiful Still River and journeys along Bigelow Brook. Meandering over relatively easy terrain, it crosses several small brooks, passes stone walls, and slips through interesting stands of trees. State foresters actively manage these forests for wildlife and timber production and the trail traverses a diverse and interesting tree mix ranging from 2 to well over 100 years old.
There are opportunities to catch sight of a variety of wildlife including turtles, beavers, and many birds along the streams and in the areas around Pine Acres Pond, Black Spruce, and Beaverdam Marshes. Active forest management has produced a variety of young, early-succession forest habitats which abound with diverse species of birds and other wildlife.
History is abundant along the trail as it passes near old CCC Camp Fernow (1933-42) and through General Nathaniel Lyon Memorial Park (first General to be killed in the Civil War). A short northern section also coincides with the Old Connecticut Path traveled in the 1630s by settlers (driving over 100 cattle) from the Boston area to the Hartford area in one of the first major inland migrations of America by European settlers.
The Natchaug Trail joins the Nipmuck Trail in Ashford and hikers can continue exploring north to Bigelow Hollow State Park and the CT/MA state line or south to Mansfield Hollow State Park.
The James L. Goodwin Conservation Education Center, on Pine Acres Pond in Hampton, offers extensive educational programming, interpretive trails and guided walks. It maintains a Native Plant Wildlife Garden and offers both Nature and History Museums. This site is jointly managed by CFPA and CT DEEP.
Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Hike
- Snowshoe
- Nordic Ski
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title | riding area | rating | distance | completed | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Air Line State Park Trail & Natchaug Trail | 955 ft | |||||
2 | Pine Acres Lake Trail | 3 miles | |||||
3 | Goodwin Heritage Trail | 1,106 ft | |||||
4 | Natchaug Trail | 2,671 ft | |||||
5 | Cannon Road | 246 ft | |||||
6 | Natchaug (Black Spruce Pond W) | 2 miles | |||||
7 | Natchaug Trail | 1 mile | |||||
8 | Natchaug (Black Spruce Pond W) CLOSED | 2,001 ft | |||||
9 | Nutmeg Lane | 328 ft | |||||
10 | Natchaug Trail - Goodwin Br. Cascade | 1 mile | |||||
11 | CCC Trail | 3 miles | |||||
12 | Natchaug Trail | 4,770 ft | |||||
13 | Beaverdam Pond Road | 531 ft | |||||
14 | Natchaug Trail - Beaverdam Marsh | 4,610 ft | |||||
15 | Natchaug Trail and Yellow Diamond | 643 ft | |||||
16 | Natchaug Trail - Still River | 2 miles | |||||
17 | Pilfershire Road | 151 ft | |||||
18 | General Lyon Road | 715 ft | |||||
19 | Chaplin Road (Rt 198) | 1,427 ft | |||||
20 | Natchaug Trail - Bigelow Brook | 5 miles | |||||
21 | Moon Road | 243 ft | |||||
22 | Natchaug Trail - Northern Trailhead to Moon Rd | 2 miles | |||||
23 | Natchaug Trail - Southern Trailhead | 2,021 ft |
Displaying 23
Videos
Recent Trail Reports
status | trail | date | condition | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Natchaug Trail | Jun 20, 2022 @ 2:57pm Jun 20, 2022 | view | ||
Natchaug Trail | Jun 6, 2022 @ 2:23pm Jun 6, 2022 | view | ||
Goodwin Heritage Trail | Jun 6, 2022 @ 2:23pm Jun 6, 2022 | view | ||
Cannon Road | Jun 6, 2022 @ 2:23pm Jun 6, 2022 | view | ||
Air Line State Park Trail & Natchaug Trail | May 4, 2022 @ 2:27pm May 4, 2022 | view |
Total Trails
23
Total Distance
24 miles
Total Descent
-2,176 ft
Total Climb
2,231 ft
trail: Goodwin Heritage Trail
6 |
Aug 28, 2021 @ 4:03pm
Aug 28, 2021
trail: Pine Acres Lake Trail
3 |
Aug 28, 2021 @ 3:58pm
Aug 28, 2021
trail: Natchaug Trail - Still River
33 |
Dec 3, 2020 @ 2:29pm
Dec 3, 2020
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- By PlumbBobM TRAILFORKS HCH Map Team
- #653 - 271 views