Walbridge Woodlands and Philip E. Young Memorial Preserve

Town: Lyme

Directions: From I-95, take Exit 70, straight off ramp, following signs to Rt. 156; pass shopping centers; at second light turn right onto 156 west towards Hamburg; about 6.6 miles to right on Beaver Brook Road; about 1 mile to left on Gungy Road. Young preserve is about a quarter-mile on the right. Trailhead for Walbridge is another half mile on the right, but parking area is about 1 mile on the right at Hartman Park. Short hike on green trail in Hartman Park leads into Walbridge.

Where to Park: Small parking area at Young preserve entrance; parking for Walbridge is at Hartman Park.

Description: 128 acres of mixed hardwood forest in two contiguous preserves with connecting trails that also link to trails in 300-acre Hartman Park. Walbridge trails are easy to moderate, with stone walls and wetlands throughout. Loop trail through Young preserve starts on a steep climb that leads to a short overlook trail.

Regulations: Open from sunrise to sunset for hiking, wildlife viewing and leashed pets. Please respect the environment; do not disturb or remove anything and keep trails clean.

Amenities: None

Natural Features: Both preserves are part of the Eightmile River watershed, part of the National Wild & Scenic River System. Three wetlands and a stream course through Walbridge, while Young has one wetland and a stream, all of which flow into the Eightmile River.

Fees: none

Things to Note: The addition of these two preserves completed a north-south east-west greenway of contiguous open space parcels including Hartman Park, Salem Land Trust properties, Nehantic State Forest and other Lyme Land Conservation Trust preserves.

Owned by: Walbridge is owned by the Lyme Land Conservation Trust; Young preserve is owned by the town of Lyme.

More information: http://www.lymelandtrust.org/trails-properties/