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. Using existing trails, these thoughtfully planned loops—the 4.4-mile Southern Blue Loop Trail and the 4.2-mile Northern Green Loop Trail—offer hikers a unique opportunity to explore scenic landscapes while enjoying convenient access and clearly marked routes.
The new loop trails align with Bethany’s Plan of Conservation and Development, which recommends creating interconnected, town-wide trail networks and connections to trail systems in neighboring towns.
The Blue Loop
The 4.4-mile Southern Blue Loop Trail connects the Bethany Farms parcels with Whispering Pines, Hidden Brook Preserve, and the Town’s Carrington Preserve. The Blue Loop Trail also includes trails in the Bladen’s Brook and Russell Swamp in Woodbridge, where it also connects with the Woodbridge Greenway Trails System. While trails in each of the preserves have different color blazes, the Southern Blue Loop Trail is marked by metal blue circular disks. The parking area at 101 Russell Road is the best place to start although access with roadside parking is available at several locations.
The 4.2-mile Northern Green Loop Trail connects trails in Mendell’s Folly, the Grobe, Van Epps and Woodward Nature Preserves as well as the Town’s Simpson Preserve and Veterans Park. This loop trail brings hikers through a portion of the Naugatuck State Forest. While trails in each of the preserves have different color blazes, metal green circular disks mark the loop trail through these parcels. Access with both roadside and off-street parking is available at several locations.
Whether you’re looking to venture through a state forest or local preserves, these new loops provide a fresh way to experience the area’s natural beauty and are now ready for the community to enjoy.