Explore Willington, CT
Willington at a Glance
Part of Tolland County
If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Willington this is the complete guide to all the river views, waterfalls, and history it has to offer.
Those looking to hike Willington will find five hikeable properties for a total of about 17 miles. There are pine groves, sections of the Fenton River, and rolling trails to explore.
There is also the Cole Wilde fishing area along I-84.
My Highlights
- The suprise waterfall hidden in the Moss Tract
- The pine grove in north property of the Talmadge Tract
- The new dense twisting loop at Chenes Roches
Hiking
Town Parks
- Fenton Ruby Park –★★– 4 miles – Fenton Ruby Park has 4.2 miles of trails with pond views, varied topography, and a connection to the nearby Langhammer Trail in Ashford
- Talmadge Tract/Royal Knowlton –★★– 5 miles – A combination of the Nipmuck trail, Talmadge spur, and Royal Knowlton, this area has almost 5 miles of trails with a great pine grove near the Fenton River
Land Trusts
- Chenes Roches Preserve –★★– 1.9 miles – Translates to “Oaks Rocks”, it has expanded trails and loop options through large oaks and glacial erratics
State Parks/Forests
- Nipmuck State Forest –★★– 7 miles – A loop on the Murray and Bradley trails in this southern parcel of the Nipmuck State Forest, the loop is a snowmobile route in the winter
- Cole Wilde Trout Management Area –★★– 0.4 miles – Largely for fishing but has an out and back trail with views of the former 1800s ‘Red Bridge’
Blue Blaze Trails
- Nipmuck Trail
- Talmadge Tract/Royal Knowlton – Willington hosts a roughly 2.5 mile section of the Nipmuck Trail along the Fenton River through these two town parks
- Nipmuck Trail
The Rest
- Moss Tract –★★– 3.5 miles – A great rough short loop trail with a surprise waterfall and more trails at the North Property
Boating/Fishing
- Fenton River
- Willimantic River – Fishing and boating
First called “Wellington” by its colonial settlers it had been hunting and fishing grounds for the Nipmuck tribe.
“Francis Fenton was the first settler in the area in 1717, and he built the first known dwelling on what is now known as Route 320. His son, also named Francis, was the first recorded birth in Willington. The original proprietors, led by Roger Wolcott who later became governor of the colony, purchased the town’s 16,000 acres from the General Assembly in 1720 for 510 pounds local currency. In June 1727, the land was divided among the investors in a lottery – the Cedar Swamp district being the most coveted – and in the succeeding years the original lots were divided and re-sold many times to farmers from all over New England.”
The town was incorporated in May of 1727, making it the 54th oldest town in Connecticut.
