Walden Preserve

Walden Preserve

The Nature Conservancy managed by The Salem Land Trust

426.98 acres in Salem, CT

Parking: Medium sized lot near 191 Hagen Rd, Salem, CT

Trail Map       Trails: 6 miles      Rating: ★★★☆☆

There are six miles of varied trails in the Walden Preserve.  The trail starts in Bodman Meadow that contains a sea of goldenrod among other perennial flowers.  The meadow connects to the Pierce Arrow trail, which meanders .4 miles passing the rusted remains of a Pierce Arrow motor car likely from the 1930s.  The other option is the 1.5 mile Sonny’s Trail on a former farm path.  Branching off of Sonny’s Trail are Kniferidge, Laurel, or South Trails.

The Kniferidge follows Harris Brook until reaching a spine in the middle of an advancing pond.  There are active beavers and wood duck boxes for wildlife viewing.  The Laurel trail loops back towards the parking lot after passing South Meadow.

Hiking and fishing (catch and release) are allowed, but The Nature Conservancy does not allow dogs on Walden Preserve because areas of the property are actively managed for ground-nesting birds.

History:

The majority of the properties’ parcels were acquired in August 2000 with a final 30 acre parcel acquired in 2007.

Links:

• Peter Marteka – Explore the Walden Preserve in Salem (2008)

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Last updated July 14, 2018