Darling Road and Winslow Preserves

Town: East Haddam and Salem

Directions: Take Interstate 95 to Exit 82 North (Route 85). Continue to Salem 4-corners; take Route 82 West towards East Haddam for 1.2 mi., then left on Darling Rd. for 0.3 mi., right onto White Birch Rd. for 0.6 mi., straight ahead to Darling Rd. for 0.7 mi. Darling Preserve entrance, with trail map, is on the left; Winslow entrance .2 miles further on the left.

Where to Park: Park along road or at Winslow Preserve.

Description: Two adjacent preserves in the Eightmile River watershed. Darling Road Preserve is 101 acres of rocky woodland traversed by stone walls and seasonal streams and wetlands; some areas along trails can be wet. Hike is easy-to-moderate with an extended uphill section not far from the beginning of the trail off Darling Road.Property connects to a state hunting area and red trail intersects with a brown trail through the adjacent Winslow Preserve. A pond and short section of the Eightmile River are located in the northern edge of the Winslow property, which is 33 acres just off Darling Road.

Regulations: In Darling Road Preserve, dogs on leashes allowed. No dogs allowed in Winslow Preserve. No hunting or motorized vehicles in either park.

Amenities: None.

Natural Features: Both preserves are quiet, isolated areas without traffic noises.

Fees: Free.

Things to note: Most of red trail is well marked, but some of the markers are a bit far apart, so be careful to spot the next one before you advance on the trail.A map is posted near the entrance, but is partially unreadable. Another map is posted about a mile into the red trail that is fully legible.

Owned by: Darling: Salem Land Trust; Winslow: The Connecticut Chapter of the Nature Conservancy

More information: Darling: www.salemlandtrust.org; Winslow: www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/connecticut/