Roaring Brook may not be living up to its name these days.

Nevertheless, it is a beautiful woodland stream that feeds the Whalebone Creek watershed that in turn flows into Whalebone Cove, an ecological gem on the lower Connecticut River where stands of wild rice provide a feast for migrating birds every fall.

Roaring Brook, still gurgling and flowing gently this time of year despite the region’s prolonged drought, is a central feature of Banningwood, a preserve on Route 82 in Hadlyme village, just up the road and around the corner from the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry landing. Look for the Hadlyme Country Market & Store, turn north on Route 82 and the preserve is on the right side, no more than a quarter mile from the store.

Hikers here will find wetlands, floodplain forests, fields, upland forest, rock ledges and scenic vistas along the well-marked trails. The protection of both the brook and its surrounding woodlands, made possible through the efforts of the land trust, private donors and the state’s open space and watershed land acquisition program, is helping to keep high-quality waters in the 25-acre Whalebone Cove, which the Nature Conservancy has called “one of the most undisturbed and biologically significant freshwater tidal marshes on the Connecticut River.” But Banningwood, named for a road that ran through the area in the early 19th century, is itself a special place.

The 100-acre preserve, which became part of the Lyme Land Conservation Trust holdings in 2013, offers 1.7 miles of relatively easy trails, with just a few short steep sections.

The main trail, marked with red blazes, starts just beyond the parking lot, crossing a field before following the picturesque brook as it flows east. Traveling through a mixed hardwood forest glowing with autumn reds and golds on a recent October day, the red trail meets the .7-mile Brook Trail after about a half-mile. The Brook Trail then hugs the stream for several hundred feet after it takes a wide curve and flows south from East Haddam.

After crossing the brook and turning north, that yellow trail rejoins the red trail, making for a pleasing loop hike back to the parking lot. Along the way, the woodlands are interspersed with stone walls and remnants of old quarries and huge rock formations that are part of the Honey Hill Fault.

BANNINGWOOD PRESERVE

Town: Lyme

Directions and where to park: Take Route 85 North to Salem Four Corners; bear left at traffic circle onto Route 82 East. At Hadlyme Four Corners and the Hadlyme Country Market & Store, turn right to stay on Route 82. Entrance to Banningwood is less than a quarter mile on the right. Parking area for several cars is at the entrance.

Description: 100-acre mixed hardwood forest with Roaring Brook running through it, traversed by 1.7 miles of marked, mostly easy trails.

Regulations: Open sunrise to sunset. Dogs must be leashed. No motorized vehicles.

Amenities: None.

Natural features: Rock ledges, wetlands, fields and scenic vistas are located along the trails.

Fees: None.

Things to note: Trails are well marked, but watch for turns and signs indicating boundaries of private property.

Owned by: Lyme Land Conservation Trust.

More information and trail map: www.lymelandtrust.org