Barrett Preserve is a beautiful, short hiking trail located in the Gales Ferry neighborhood in Ledyard that offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors on a well-marked trail with yellow trailheads. Immediately upon entering the preserve, are views of groomed grass paths with bird boxes and houses. The grass paths are only a short portion of the preserve, as it quickly turns into a wooded area (down a hillside of oak, hickory, and black birch). Further on the trail is a wetland area, featuring a large stand of giant tulip trees. The trail also offers two stream crossings, a rich understory of mountain laurel, and carpets of hay-scented fern.
It is not uncommon to see half a dozen to a dozen different species of birds (bluebirds, woodpeckers, hawks, owls, etc.), in addition to many ground animals such as squirrels and chipmunks near the stream on the trail. The trails are a series of two interconnected loops, in a bow-shaped fashion. Total mileage is approximately 1.6 miles with the largest loop being 0.9 miles and the smallest loop being 0.7 miles. The combination of grass and meadow paths and packed earth and dirt trails offer diversity on the hiking boots, with an easy to moderate difficulty and an elevation gain of 197 feet.
This property is part of Avalonia's Hike and Seek Program scavenger hunt program!
The trailhead is located at 904 Long Cove Road opposite Mount Vernon Drive.
Use CT-2 East. Take CT-2A East/I-395 South to CT-12 South in Preston.
Take CT-349 North and CT-12 North to Long Cove Road in Ledyard.
Take I-95 South to Long Cove Road in Ledyard.
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