photo by S. Williams
March 6, 2021

Priscilla Otte Preserve

  This peaceful preserve, locally known by many as the Fowler Farm, includes 16 acres that came to GLCT as part of a subdivision in 1999 and another 16 acres purchased in 2005 from Priscilla Fowler Otte well under market price. Priscilla, inspired by memories of generations of her family working on the farm, came to GLCT with a vision to […]
Hikes
January 31, 2021

Great Harbor Hike

The Paul Trail offers a quick hike to Rock Outcrops overlooking Guilford’s 150-acre Great Harbor Marsh with views of Long Island Sound in the distance.  In the months around the winter solstice this is a great place to watch the sun set over Long Island Sound.   The Kiosk and main entrance is on Sachem Head Road just […]
Hikes
September 25, 2020

Jared Eliot Preserve Loop

General Description: The preserve, also known as Mulberry Farm, is named after one of Guilford’s earliest settlers, who lived there and planted mulberry trees in hopes of establishing a silkworm business. The property came to GLCT in 1995 as a gift from William and Janet Cuthbert. This secluded 36 acres of field, salt marsh, ponds, and reverted woodlands […]
Hikes
September 25, 2020

Nut Plains Exterior White Loop Trail

Nut Plains Woods consists of six separate properties accumulated by GLCT over a thirty year period. The primary, and earliest, 57-acre piece was the result of an anonymous donation in 1972 and represented a significant increase in the Land Trust’s non-saltmarsh holdings, and an expansion of trails outside of Westwoods. Development of the Orcutt lands to the east, […]
Hikes
September 25, 2020

The Bartlett Land Preserve Challenge

Both sections of the Bartlett Land Preserve on Bluff Head/Totoket Mountain, GLCT’s newest acquisition, can be visited on a long loop hike starting at the parking area at the end of Cook’s Lane just past Whispering Woods Road.  This is over a five mile hike and goes up and down the mountain three times, so it’s on the […]
Hikes
September 25, 2020

East River Preserve and Eastwoods

ERP Trail MapEastwoods The East River Preserve is the largest conservation holding of the Town of Guilford. The property is owned by the Town of Guilford and is bordered by properties owned by GLCT, including the 95-acre Eastwoods. This area of connected open space provides miles of marked trails including a section of the New England National Scenic […]
Hikes
September 25, 2020

Big Maple Preserve

The Big Maple property is a lowland area of about 31 acres, filling the cleft between the prominent Moose Hill and the less known Chestnut Hill.  Through this lowland flows the Chestnut Branch of Hoadley Creek, whose headwaters are found just below Rt. 1.  The property is a portion of the 1996 open space set-aside from the Hoyt […]
Hikes
September 25, 2020

Westwoods Cave Loop

Difficulty: A short and moderate hike with rocky climbs and descents. Distance: 1.25 miles Duration: 60 minutes Sights: Thriving Hemlock trees, evidence of quarry activity, a curious cairn and a real cave used by Native Americans Location: The loop begins at the end of the Three Corners Road cul-de-sac, just to the right of 494 Three Corners Road. […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 1 – Lost Lake Vista

General Description: Loop #1 begins with an easy hike on the white circle trail leading to the Lost Lake Vista, a large and flat rock ledge that is a favorite picnic spot with a beautiful view of the lake. Coming back you’ll retrace your steps on the white circle trail and detour on two large loops of the […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 2 – Split Rock

General Description: Loop #2 is an easy hike on the white circle trail and orange circle trail that leads to the Lost Lake Vista, a large and flat rock ledge that is a favorite picnic spot with a beautiful view of the lake. Coming back you’ll take the white circle and white square trails back to the Sam […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 3 – Cairn and Cave

General Description: Loop #3 begins with beautiful scenery and easy hiking on the Red Triangle trail. You’ll find a fascinating natural rock cave on the Orange Circle trail for the second half of the loop which has a few rocky climbs and descents. Difficulty: A short and moderate hike with some rocky climbs and descents. Weather considerations: Rain/snow […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 4 – The White Squeeze

General Description: Loop #4 begins with a short and easy hike to Lost Lake and then a hike along a ridge with beautiful views of the valley below. You’ll return with a hike down through the valley following below the rock ridge. Difficulty: An easy to moderate hike with some rocky climbs and descents. Weather considerations: Rain/snow may […]
Hikes