Banningwood Preserve

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.