Ready, Set, Go Outdoors! Connecticut Trails Day is June 6 & 7. Explore 200+ FREE outdoor adventures!
The 86-acre Cartier Preserve is located north of Quarry Road in Woodstock. An easy 1 mile loop offers access to a high diversity of birds — an indication of the health and the size of the forest. Species like black-throated blue warblers, hooded warblers, black-throated green warblers, and scarlet tanagers breed in the large stands of thick mountain laurel.
The 65-acre Potrzeba Preserve sits a short distance away to the west of Swedetown Road, however there is no official trail access on this property.
Find more details on the Wyndham Land Trust website. Volunteers are always welcome to help steward the property and trails.
Please note: Quarry Road is a dirt road with rocky, sandy and muddy parts. Recommended to access with sturdy cars and in dry conditions.
On-road parking is available either at the Cartier Preserve trailhead, a little east of 63 Quarry Road in Woodstock, CT. Look for the WYndham Land Trust signs. Additional parking at the gate to Potrzeba Preserve a little further west (where Quarry Road makes a 90 degree bend; 0.7 miles walking distance along a dirt road).
Take Exit 73 and head north on Route 190 for about 2 miles. Turn right (east) onto Route 171 and continue for 6.8 miles, then turn right onto Route 198 and continue south for 2 miles. In Eastford, turn left onto Old Colony Road. After 0.9 miles, turn right onto Yetter Hill Road, and after 1.3 miles, at the T-intersection turn left onto Swedetown Road. At the right bend, Swedetown Road becomes Quarry Road and after 0.5 miles, the trailhead will be on the left.
Take Exit 41 and head west on Route 101, then take Route 44 west toward Hartford. Next, take Route 97 north and after 0.5 miles bear left onto Taft Pond Road. After about 3 miles, continue straight onto Ragged Hill Rood, and then straight onto Swedetown Road. At the right bend, Swedetown Road becomes Quarry Road and after 0.5 miles, the trailhead will be on the left.
Take Route 44 east until you meet Route 198. turn left and head north for 0.8 miles, then turn right onto Route 244 east. After 2.7 miles, turn left onto Ragged Hill Road. From there, continue straight onto Swedetown Road. At the right bend, Swedetown Road becomes Quarry Road and after 0.5 miles, the trailhead will be on the left.
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