Site logo
    • Explore
      • Blue-Blaze Trails
      • Land Trusts
      • State Parks and Forests
      • By Town
    • exploreCT+
      • Membership
      • Shop
      • Events
    • Blog
    • Town Guides
    Sign in or Register
    Listing cover image

    Tory Den

    • Trails
      2 miles
    • Rating
      ★★★☆☆
    • Address
      PX5W+MM Plymouth, CT, USA
    • Explore
    • Trail Map
    • Reviews 0
    • New Page
    • prev
    • next
    • Bookmark
    • Share
    • Get directions
    • Report
    • prev
    • next
    At A Glance

    Tunxis : Southern Terminus / Tory Den

    Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail – Tunxis

    in Plymouth and Burlington, CT

    Parking: Small pull-off for 4 cars near 290-400 E Plymouth Rd, Terryville, CT

    Trail Map          Trails: 2 miles      Rating: ★★★☆☆

    The southern terminus of the Tunxis Trail is currently nothing special, which is actually typical if you look at the Nipmuck, Shenipsit, or Quinebaug Trails.  The Trail starts at the southern end of Old Marsh Pond, also known as Bristol Reservoir #7.  There isn’t any parking so you’ll have to hike the extra .8 miles south to see it.  You’ll pass through some nice pine forest and get a nice view of the reservoir, but it’s hardly worth it.

    Hiking

    From the initial parking along East Plymouth Rd the trail follows an old woods road north towards Tory Den.  The trail splits with the yellow-dot trail that leads to Miles of Ledges at around .75 miles.  When I hiked this loop I did it clockwise past Tory Den to Greer Rd and then looped back through the ledges.

    Less than a mile in we already hit Tory Den, a pile of boulders with a rich history.  The trail passes by the front entrance to the den and it is easy enough to crouch inside.  The space is about 30 feet long to the back exit and a small area in the middle that has a height of about 5’8″.  The “cave” apparently used to be a bit larger, but a collapse narrowed it.

    The trail then climbs up and down hills as it heads north.  There are several odd spots where the blazed trail briefly detours from the worn path over rock outcrops.  They certainly make the trail more interesting, but I’d guess most hikers skip them.  At 1.8 miles there is a connector with a rocky descent to Greer Rd.  I took this in order to complete the four-mile loop through Miles of Ledges.

    History

    Tory Den was a hidden place deep in the woods during the American Revolution where loyalists could hide to avoid persecution from the pro-independence group Sons of Liberty.  See the links below for further reading.

    Links

    Edgar Pond – The Tories of Chippeny Hill (1909)
    Peter Marteka – ‘Tory Den’ is Rich with History (2009)
    Peter Marteka – A Storied Tory Place in Burlington (2008)
    CTMQ – Tory Den (2008)
    Jesse Leavenworth – Revolutionary War Hideout Still Visible (1996)

    Tags
    • ★★★☆☆
    • 2019
    • Burlington
    • Caves
    • Explored
    • Hartford County
    • History
    • Litchfield County
    • Peter Marteka
    • Plymouth
    • Tunxis
    Last Updated

    Last updated Apr. 29, 2019 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.

    Trail Map
    Location
    • PX5W+MM Plymouth, CT, USA

      Get Directions
    Gallery
    Video
    Categories
    • Hiking
    Gallery
  • No comments yet.
  • Add a review

    Leave a Reply · Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    You May Also Be Interested In

    Spruce Brook Falls

    • ★★★★★
    • 16 miles
    Featured
    FW6F+CW Beacon Falls
    • Quick view
    • Bookmark

    Anderson Pond Boat Launch

    • Unexplored
    441 Cossaduck Hill Rd
    • Quick view
    • Bookmark

    White Oak Preserve

    • Unexplored
    • 0.2 miles
    600 Raymond Hill Rd
    • Quick view
    • Bookmark

    Hi, I’m Matt.

    I’m building ExploreCT to be the guide for all your outdoor adventures. All the trails, views, and waterways this great state has to offer.

    Now get out and explore!

    Monthly Newsletter

    Each month I share site updates or an interesting article in my newsletter. It’s short, sweet, and practical.

    600+ explorers read it, I’d love for you to join.

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    X-twitter Youtube Envelope Instagram

    Cart

      • Facebook
      • X
      • WhatsApp
      • Telegram
      • LinkedIn
      • Tumblr
      • Reddit
      • VKontakte
      • Mail
      • Copy link
      • Share via...
      • Threads
      • Bluesky