Starting from the kiosk at the back of the route 202 parking lot, a yellow blazed trail follows a 500-foot access path that includes bog bridging. The yellow trail heads west down a gentle slope to the Bantam River.
About 800 feet down the yellow trail access to the red blazed, north loop of the Medicine Rock trail is located on the right. This 0.4-mile trail loop heads north and then west as it descends to the river where it passes the terminus of the yellow trail. The 0.8-mile southern loop follows the Bantam River south for less than a half mile and then ascends the hill and reconnects with the yellow trail.
The Upper Bantam River Preserve is an excellent example of a diverse mixed New England Forest. The mature forest contains a wide variety of tree species including oak, birch, hickory, hemlock, beech, and maple. The trail along the river passes through an enchanting mature hemlock grove.
Look for scattered outcroppings of white quartzite which inspired the trail name. White quartzite was considered a special gift to native Americans who believed that it held healing powers. White quartzite was also used extensively in forming arrow heads and tools.
Medicine Rock Trail was completed in 2019 with financial assistance from the Seherr-Thoss Foundation. The Upper Bantam Preserve was gifted to the Litchfield Land Trust in four parcels: 20.4-acres from Courthouse Facility LLC, 55.2-acres from The Nature Conservancy LLC, 10.2-acres from Elizabeth R. McChee, and 4.0-acres from John Bolus for access off of Rte. 202.
The Medicine Rock Trail is located on the west side of route 202, 1.6 miles north of the center of Litchfield. The trail head parking is about 1000 feet south of the Town Farm Road intersection with route 202.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
