Towns: Hampton, Eastford, Ashford
Trail Overview: The Natchaug Trail traverses the James L. Goodwin and Natchaug State Forests. Together with the Nipmuck State Forest, Yale Forest and several large private tracts, they combine to form one of the largest areas of contiguous forest in southern New England supporting a large variety of wildlife.
The trail follows a short portion of the beautiful Still River and journeys along Bigelow Brook. Meandering over relatively easy terrain, it crosses several small brooks, passes stone walls, and slips through interesting stands of trees. State foresters actively manage these forests for wildlife and timber production and the trail traverses a diverse and interesting tree mix ranging from 2 to well over 100 years old.
There are opportunities to catch sight of a variety of wildlife including turtles, beavers, and many birds along the streams and in the areas around Pine Acres Pond, Black Spruce, and Beaverdam Marshes. Active forest management has produced a variety of young, early-succession forest habitats which abound with diverse species of birds and other wildlife.
History is abundant along the trail as it passes near old CCC Camp Fernow (1933-42) and through General Nathaniel Lyon Memorial Park (first General to be killed in the Civil War). A short northern section also coincides with the Old Connecticut Path traveled in the 1630s by settlers (driving over 100 cattle) from the Boston area to the Hartford area in one of the first major inland migrations of America by European settlers.
The Natchaug Trail joins the Nipmuck Trail in Ashford and hikers can continue exploring north to Bigelow Hollow State Park and the CT/MA state line or south to Mansfield Hollow State Park.
The James L. Goodwin Conservation Education Center, on Pine Acres Pond in Hampton, offers extensive educational programming, interpretive trails and guided walks. It maintains a Native Plant Wildlife Garden and offers both Nature and History Museums. This site is jointly managed by CFPA and CT DEEP.
Allowed Uses: Hiking
Trail Overview: The Natchaug Trail traverses the James L. Goodwin and Natchaug State Forests. Together with the Nipmuck State Forest, Yale Forest and several large private tracts, they combine to form one of the largest areas of contiguous forest in southern New England supporting a large variety of wildlife.
The trail follows a short portion of the beautiful Still River and journeys along Bigelow Brook. Meandering over relatively easy terrain, it crosses several small brooks, passes stone walls, and slips through interesting stands of trees. State foresters actively manage these forests for wildlife and timber production and the trail traverses a diverse and interesting tree mix ranging from 2 to well over 100 years old.
There are opportunities to catch sight of a variety of wildlife including turtles, beavers, and many birds along the streams and in the areas around Pine Acres Pond, Black Spruce, and Beaverdam Marshes. Active forest management has produced a variety of young, early-succession forest habitats which abound with diverse species of birds and other wildlife.
History is abundant along the trail as it passes near old CCC Camp Fernow (1933-42) and through General Nathaniel Lyon Memorial Park (first General to be killed in the Civil War). A short northern section also coincides with the Old Connecticut Path traveled in the 1630s by settlers (driving over 100 cattle) from the Boston area to the Hartford area in one of the first major inland migrations of America by European settlers.
The Natchaug Trail joins the Nipmuck Trail in Ashford and hikers can continue exploring north to Bigelow Hollow State Park and the CT/MA state line or south to Mansfield Hollow State Park.
The James L. Goodwin Conservation Education Center, on Pine Acres Pond in Hampton, offers extensive educational programming, interpretive trails and guided walks. It maintains a Native Plant Wildlife Garden and offers both Nature and History Museums. This site is jointly managed by CFPA and CT DEEP.
Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Hike
- Snowshoe
- Nordic Ski
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Trails
| title | riding area | rating | distance | completed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natchaug (Black Spruce Pond W) CLOSED | 1,998 ft | |||||
| 2 | Pine Acres Lake Trail | 3 miles | |||||
| 3 | Air Line State Park Trail & Natchaug Trail | 955 ft | |||||
| 4 | Natchaug Trail - Southern Trailhead | 1,844 ft | |||||
| 5 | Natchaug Trail | 2,726 ft | |||||
| 6 | Goodwin Heritage Trail | 1,089 ft | |||||
| 7 | Natchaug Trail | 1 mile | |||||
| 8 | Cannon Road | 246 ft | |||||
| 9 | Natchaug (Black Spruce Pond W) | 2 miles | |||||
| 10 | Nutmeg Lane | 328 ft | |||||
| 11 | Natchaug Trail - Goodwin Br. Cascade | 1 mile | |||||
| 12 | CCC Trail | 3 miles | |||||
| 13 | Natchaug Trail | 4,770 ft | |||||
| 14 | Beaverdam Pond Road | 531 ft | |||||
| 15 | Natchaug Trail - Beaverdam Marsh | 4,610 ft | |||||
| 16 | Natchaug Trail and Yellow Diamond | 643 ft | |||||
| 17 | Natchaug Trail - Still River | 2 miles | |||||
| 18 | Pilfershire Road | 151 ft | |||||
| 19 | General Lyon Road | 715 ft | |||||
| 20 | Chaplin Road (Rt 198) | 1,427 ft | |||||
| 21 | Natchaug Trail - Bigelow Brook | 5 miles | |||||
| 22 | Moon Road | 243 ft | |||||
| 23 | Natchaug Trail - Northern Trailhead to Moon Rd | 2 miles |
Displaying 23
Videos
0:10 |
13 |
Dec 2, 2020
Recent Trail Reports
| status | trail | date | condition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Acres Lake Trail | Jun 2, 2025 @ 4:35pm Jun 2, 2025 | view | ||
| Goodwin Heritage Trail | Nov 27, 2024 @ 3:11pm Nov 27, 2024 | view | ||
| Natchaug Trail | Sep 25, 2024 @ 4:12pm Sep 25, 2024 | view | ||
| Cannon Road | Sep 25, 2024 @ 4:12pm Sep 25, 2024 | view | ||
| Air Line State Park Trail & Natchaug Trail | Apr 21, 2024 @ 5:55am Apr 21, 2024 | view |
Total Trails
23
Total Distance
24 miles
Total Descent
-2,227 ft
Total Climb
2,272 ft
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Trails and Routes in List - Distance by Difficulty
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- By PlumbBobM
TRAILFORKS HCH - #653 - 741 views