Monthly Hikes

Join us with your binoculars and spotting scopes for a morning walk in Mendell’s Folly with guide, Christin Arnini, as we welcome back species returning from migration.  We will meet at the roadside parking area at the Van Epps Preserve at 390 Beacon Road (Route 42) in Bethany at 8 AM. Look for the green Land Trust banner. Off-road parking is also available.  All are welcome but space for the hike will be limited to 10 registered participants. Please leave your pets at home and inclement weather… Read more: May Birding Hike: Sunday May 4, 8-10 AM

“Not all those who wander are lost.” Tolkien The Bethany Land Trust is thrilled to invite you to join us for a series of monthly guided hikes in 2025. If you’ve ever wanted to walk some hiking trails in Bethany and are not too sure where to start or if you enjoy sharing your favorite trails in town, these hikes are for you.

On April 13th, some 30 hikers joined the poetry hike in Mendell’s Folly, where we heard seven poems read by Jeanne LeVasseur, Pat Motolla, and Ginny Connors from the Connecticut Poetry Society in celebration of National Poetry Month.  According to hiker Amy Rushlow, “The Bethany Land Trust Poetry in the Woods hike was a magical experience allowing all my senses to be engaged and nourished.”  Those who joined us also participated in the launch of our new poetry trail initiative, Poetry in the Woods, the first of its… Read more: April Hike: Walking the Poetry in the Woods Trail

The Bethany Land Trust series of hikes for 2025 got off to a rousing start with close to 40 hikers joining us for our First Day Hike on New Year’s Day 2025. On an overcast afternoon, we hiked 2.5 miles through Whispering Pines and the Carrington Preserve to reach the Land Trust’s newest addition, the Hidden Brook Preserve. Upon our return, we snacked on homemade treats, cider, and chocolate-covered Oreos, departing for home just before the late afternoon showers began. Great way to start the… Read more: BETHANY LAND TRUST HIKES FOR 2025 

New Year’s First Day Hike – Wednesday, January 1, 2025 1:00 – 3:00 PM The Land Trust will kick off our planned series of hikes for 2025 with a New Year’s Day afternoon hike through the Hidden Brook Preserve, the most recent Land Trust acquisition.  The hike will be about 2.5 miles through Whispering Pines and the Carrington Preserve as well as Hidden Brook. Join us and start your new year with a walk in the woods. We will meet at the end of Village Lane… Read more: January Hike

New Year’s First Day Hike – Wednesday, January 1, 2025 1:00 – 3:00 PM Kicking off our planned series of hikes for 2025 will be a New Year Day afternoon hike through the Hidden Brook Preserve, the most recent Land Trust acquisition.  Details to be posted soon on our website, Facebook page and in next month’s Bethany Bulletin.

Come learn about the positive effect of beavers upon the environment. Ali Beres-Nork, an Environmental Science teacher at Amity High School and Bethany Land Trust board member, will serve as our guide as we hike through the very active beaver habitat in Mendell’s Folly.