Banningwood Preserve
102 acres in Lyme, CT
Parking: Small lot near 14 Town St, Lyme, CT
Trail Map Trails: 1.7 miles Rating: ★★★☆☆
Hiking
From the parking area the loop trail either heads uphill to the left or across the driveway to the right. The self-guided tour (pamphlets available at the kiosk or online) are numbered heading right to start but I decided to hike clockwise and headed uphill first.
A brief steep climb takes you up among rocky ledges with flowing folded rock explained geologically in the pamphlet. After passing a small old quarry you reach Parker’s Perch and raised handsomely built platform with a view south towards Hadlyme’s Four Corners. The view was lackluster at the start of spring, but I still chose to sit and enjoy it for a few minutes.
The trail stonewalls at the edge of the property with a view into an old farm field and just beyond that an old farm dumping ground complete with hundred of broken bottles, cans, and two old rusting cars. A steep descent takes you to Diana’s Field which is a great location for a picnic with picnic tables, fire pit, and seating.
You can continue on the red loop for a shorter hike or jump onto the yellow loop for a slightly longer hike.
The yellow loop takes you out to Roaring Brook (one of many so named in the state) and follows it downstream for a number of great views all the way to the red trail and on to return to the parking area.
History:
The property was acquired by the Lyme Land Conservation Trust in 2013 for $15,000.
Links:
- Peter Marteka – A Roaring Brook Runs Through The Forest (2014)
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Last updated March 17th, 2024
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