How many times have I driven by a kiosk at a trail head, or a Land Trust or Nature Preserve sign and wondered what that place is like?  A lot. I take pictures of signs, often look them up online, add them to my list of Places to Visit, and occasionally get back to them if they look interesting.

One of these places that I had driven by and wondered about for a while is Brunot Preserve in Newtown, less than 4 miles from my house. I was prompted to finally make the long drive over there and see what it is like after a friend forwarded a list of nearby walking locations that was sent out by her employer along with other wellness tips. So I grabbed a friend and went exploring on a mild mid-March day.

To access the preserve there is a small parking lot at 124 Taunton Hill Rd. in Newtown. From what I’d read online, the preserve is managed by the Newtown Forest Association, has 76 acres of land, and a loop trail of approximately 3 miles. I was surprised to find that the preserve abuts Franc Preserve in Bethel which I have been to a few times. Between the two connecting preserves there are 148 acres of open space and over 4 miles of linked trails.

Oftentimes before I head out I look at All Trails to get an idea of what to expect. The pictures didn’t really match with the classification of “moderately challenging” so I didn’t bother carrying poles, but I knew to wear boots since there would be a few stream crossings and only one little bridge.  Maybe that was the moderately challenging part, although we made it across without getting wet.

We headed out counterclockwise on a well-marked yellow trail and quickly came upon a few large glacial erratics. The trail had some slight elevation ascents and descents but nothing very strenuous.  We found stone walls throughout the preserve and a pond off in the distance that was still covered in snow. It was a woodsy path with a stream running along it and was very quiet and peaceful.

About three quarters of the way along the trail we came to the spot where it abuts Franc Preserve and hopped over onto the red trail. We followed this trail down to the stream, crossed over and walked out to the parking lot that is off of Plumtrees Rd. There is space for several cars in this lot as well as a new kiosk with a detailed map.

We then turned around and headed back to Brunot preserve, after reading some of the new interpretive signs, to continue the rest of the loop. The trail took us through old and new growth forest, through wetlands and around a large meadow. The trail markers get a little scarce near the meadow area and there are a few options of paths to take. I would suggest staying to the right to stay on the yellow trail. The preserve abuts private property that have trails leading onto the preserve so it’s important to pay attention to the No Trespassing signs and keep the yellow trail markers in sight as you move along.

Although it was quiet when we started out, the day was warming up and the peepers and wood frogs were out. It was the first time I’d heard them this year and always a welcome sign of spring. 

Overall, I think this is a great nearby place to take a walk in the woods.    A quick google search on local open spaces, land trusts, or nature preserves can give you plenty of options of places to visit. Go check some of them out.  You may find some special spots where you can step away from your busy lives and connect with nature for a bit.

I just wish I hadn’t waited so long to check this one out.