Webster Preserve/Echo Ridge

Owned by the Northern Connecticut Land Trust, these two preserves totaling 44 acres are in the northwestern border of the unique Bolton Notch/Valley Falls Watershed and are part of only a handful of watersheds in CT that drain in a northerly direction. The remote mixed forest includes many Pitch Pine and hardwood (maple, oak) trees and is surrounded by steep rock outcroppings with great views of Valley Falls Park and Railroad Brook that drains north to Valley Falls Pond. The outcroppings are made up of mostly shiny Bolton Schist with sparkling Ruby Garnets. The property is bisected by the Rails-to-Trails hiking/biking trail developed along the old Manchester to Willimantic railroad bed, which itself offers many miles of open access trails.

The 14-acre Echo Ridge property abuts the 30-acre Webster Preserve providing blazed trails along the ridgeline above Valley Falls Park, with access crossing the Rails-to-Trails from Valley Falls Road, with beautiful overlooks from high above Railroad Brook.

Looking for another hike nearby? Check out Box Mountain Forest, part of OGFN’s Private Forest Registry.

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