Monthly Hikes

After a couple of years of planning, the Land Trust has opened two brand-new loop hiking trails designed to connect a variety of preserves and open spaces across Bethany and neighboring towns. The 4.4-mile Blue Loop Trail, located in the southern part of town connects the Bethany Farms parcels with several others. A shorter loop will be available for those choosing not to do the 4.4-mile loop. To register: contact Bob Harrison by April 10th via cell at 203-506-5888 or bjh51box@gmail.com Parking: We will meet… Read more: Join Us for the Southern Blue Loop Trail Hike Sunday May 3, 1-4 PM

Van Epps Preserve 390 Beacon Rd, Bethany We’re back on the trails after a long winter! Join us for the second hike of 2026! We will be doing a loop hike of about 2 miles that begins in the Van Epps Preserve and then into the abutting Naugatuck State Forest along the Blue Trail on the ridge before returning to Van Epps. All are welcome but please leave your pets at home. Inclement weather will cancel. Space limited to 25 registered hikers. Register early –… Read more: Welcome Spring April Hike  Sunday, April 12th, 1-3 PM

Celebrate the beginning of 2026 by joining the First Day Hike along the trails in Veterans Memorial Park and in the Town’s newly acquired Simpson Preserve. This hike, co-sponsored with Bethany Conservation Commission, will take hikers through rerouted trails in the Simpson Preserve that lead to the uplands near the Woodward Nature Preserve. From there, the hike will proceed to trails in Veterans Memorial Park, climbing up to near the Bethany Bog in the woods above the lake. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for this hike… Read more: First Day Hike – Simpson Preserve and Veterans Memorial Park – New Year’s Day 1-4 PM

Join us for a walk along the trails in Veterans Memorial Park and in the Town’s newly acquired Simpson Preserve, two parcels totaling close to 200 acres owned by the town. This hike, co-sponsored with Bethany Conservation Commission, will take hikers through newly rerouted trails in the Simpson Preserve that lead to the uplands adjacent to the Woodward Nature Preserve. We will then proceed to trails in Veterans Memorial Park above the lake. Expect a walk of about two miles.  To register: contact Bob Harrison by… Read more: Simpson Preserve and Veterans Memorial Park Hike – Sunday Oct. 12, 1-3 PM

Come join us on our Complete the Northwest Loop Hike on the newly created Bethany Northwest Loop Trail. We will be hiking through four Bethany Land Trust preserves, two Town of Bethany recreational parcels, and the Naugatuck State Forest. This hike will be a rigorous 4 miles.   CT Trails Day, held on the first full weekend in June every year, is the largest celebration of trails in the nation. Coordinated by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, CT Trails Day features over 200 free events… Read more: Sunday, June 8, 1 – 4 PM:  CT Trails Day Complete the Loop Hike

The Bethany Land Trust celebrated National Poetry Month in April with a hike, where we unveiled a new kind of adventure – Poetry in the Woods. You’ve probably heard of wine trails, and maybe even chocolate trails, but a poetry trail? The Bethany Land Trust’s Poetry in the Woods Poetry Trail is the first of its kind in the state of Connecticut.  The Land Trust partnered with the Connecticut Poetry Society to create this initiative.  At distinctive locations throughout three of the Land Trust’s preserves, Mendell’s Folly, Vane Epps… Read more: Poetry in the Woods: CT’s First Poetry Trail 

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.