Talmadge Tract

Willington Town Park / Blue Blaze Nipmuck Trail

408 acres in Willington, CT

Parking: Small lot near 100-, 298 Mason Rd, Willington, CT

Trail Map            Trails: 4.75 miles      Rating: ★★☆☆☆

For accuracy’s sake, I’ll preface this by saying that I’m including the UCONN Forest, this portion of the Nipmuck Trail, and the Royal Knowlton Property all under the Talmadge Tract heading, despite it likely being the least significant of the three.  The entire section of trails between the Talmadge, UCONN forest, and Knowlton (including going to Rt 44 and back on the Nipmuck) is nearly five miles of hiking.  Though most will likely hike about 3.5 miles if you just did the loop and skipped the “out and back” of this section of the Nipmuck.

Talmadge Trail

The Talmadge Spur trail is only about a third of a mile that heads downhill through young forest and crosses a small unnamed feeder stream to the Fenton River.  By its name, this spur trail mainly serves as a connector to the blue blaze Nipmuck trail as it passes through a northern section of UCONN forest known as the Moss Tract.

Nipmuck Trail

Like much of the Nipmuck it follows the Fenton River north from Rt. 44.  After crossing the road the trail passes through an easement between houses and reaches the sandy edge of the river.  The landscape gains contour along the river valley banks with soft needles underfoot and small streams rushing towards the river.  The trail turns from the river and heads towards the .6 mile UCONN loop.

The loop is the highlight of the trails here.  A small ravine with striking rock formations is nestled inside a hemlock grove.  It is the kind of scene to stop and sketch while perched atop a mossy boulder.  The loop then rejoins the Nipmuck as it heads towards the Royal Knowlton Preserve.

Next Section: Nipmuck Trail: Marsh Rd

Previous Section: Road walk from the Fenton Tract

Royal Knowlton Preserve

The trail through the Royal Knowlton Preserve is an old forest road that eventually narrows to a rough path where the Nipmuck Trail was rerouted to access Mason Rd.  There is also a short trail that loops back to the original parking area.

History:

80 acres of the land was donated in 2005 by Daniel North and the town purchased an adjacent 28 acres in 2006 with help from the DEEP, CFPA, and Joshua’s Trust.

In 2011, the Town of Willington donated its conservation easement through the Royal Knowlton Preserve to the CFPA.  I haven’t yet found a date for when UCONN acquired its 300 acres or the reason for the name Royal Knowlton.

Links:

• Willington Conservation Commission – Conservation Commission Minutes 08/15/12
• Peter Marteka – Landowner Assits Town (2005)
• CFPA – Knowlton Trail Easement

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated Dec 6, 2018