09/26/2026
It’s the Fall – Hike ‘Em All!
Fall hiking Challenge from the Canton Land Conservation Trust
This fall, please join the Canton Land Conservation Trust (CLCT) in a challenge to hike trails on all of our properties between September 1 and December 21, 2026. You can hike on your own or attend one of the led hikes. Some trails are short, others longer. You do not need to hike all the trails (although that would be impressive!), but you must do at least one trail on each preserve to complete the challenge. Our led hikes are listed on our website, cantonlandtrust.org. In the event of bad weather, an update will be posted on the website. Here is a link to the log: https://cantonlandtrust.org/event-canton-land-trust-challenge-2026/
Upcoming hikes led by Land Trust Board volunteers (better directions to all locations can be found on the website):
Pollinator Pathway: Weds, Sept 30, 10 am led by Holly Hambleton. Come see the fall flowers and shrubs along the Collinsville Pollinator Pathway on the Rail-Trail section along Allen Place. Leaders will describe why these habitats are essential for our ecosystems. Meet in the parking area on Dyer Avenue next to the Rail-Trail. Easy walking, under 1 mile, 1+ hours (because we are chatty).
Sun, Wind and Woodland Preserve: Sun, Oct 4, 9:30 led by Nate Cantwell. About 2 hours, moderate, with info about the history of the preserve. Meet in the SWW Parking area on Breezy Hill Road.
Cherry Brook Preserve (renamed from Pratt Preserve): Sat, Oct 17, 9:30 am, led by Nate Cantwell. 1 - 1 ½ hour moderate walk on the Cherry Brook (Pratt) trails with Nate’s history of properties. A faster hike-on-your-own option will be offered. Park in the parking area at 84 Cherry Brook Rd, or drive down the driveway just downhill of the parking area if the gate is open to the larger parking area below.
Roaring Brook Nature Center: Sun, Oct 25, 1:00 pm, led by Jay Kaplan. Enjoy a gorgeous Fall foliage hike including historic information about Werner’s Woods. 2+ miles, moderate, 1 ½ to 2 hours. Meet in the Roaring Brook Nature Center parking area, 70 Gracey Road, Canton.
Charlotte Craig Trail and Smith Tree Farm: Sat. Oct. 31, 10:00 am, led by Bob Evenski. Enjoy hiking the Canton Land Trust’s very first trail located at the Smith Christmas Tree Farm on Doyle Road. The hike is challenging, about 1-mile long, 1 ½ hours. There is a scenic overlook on the north ridge with beautiful views to the south and southwest. Bob will also describe the near-complete work the Land Trust has been doing to restore the historic barn on the property. Drive down Doyle Road to the parking area at the farm, which is at the end of the road. Meet by the barn.
Sweetheart Mountain Preserve: Sat, Nov 7, 10 am, led by Alex Clarke. Come hike on this spectacular property, and enjoy the beautiful views over the historic village of Collinsville. Challenging to moderate, about 2 miles, 2 hours. Meet at the trail head on Freedom Drive - it’s on the left just before the curve into the newer homes.
Swan Preserve: Sat, Nov 14, 9:30 am, led by Lee Carvalho. Enjoy the trails on this beautiful parcel, including a bridge over a stream and some varying forest habitats. 2.5 miles, moderate, about 2 hours. Meet at the Swan Preserve parking area, Case Street (on the right, about 1/10 mile north of Route 179 junction)
Uplands Preserve: Sun. Nov 15, 10:00 am led by Doug Pelham. 1.5 miles, easy to moderate hike for around 1 1/2 hours on the beautiful Uplands Preserve Trails passing a vernal pool along the way. This is truly a typical walk in Canton's woods - especially good for families. Park on the cut-de-sac at the end of Westwoods Road and see at the trail head there.
Swibold Preserve: Sun, Nov 22, 10 am, led by Alex Clarke. Join us for this spectacular and easy trail in the woods along Cherry Brook. Less than 1 mile and 1 hour. Meet at the preserve trailhead/parking area near #727 Cherry Brook Road in North Canton. If desired, the group might then drive to the Carpenter Property 105 Case Street for a longer hike.
Keep track of your own hiking trips and send in your log when done; no later than December 31st. While your real reward is getting out into Canton’s beautiful preserves and enjoying nature, we’ll send everyone who completes the challenge a gift certificate for a donut or bagel (you’ll have earned it!).
When done, email your hiking log to [email protected] , or snail-mail it to CLCT c/of Sarah Faulkner, PO Box 41, Canton Center, CT 06020.
Questions? Send us an email!
Properties to Hike - more information about the trails can be found here: https://cantonlandtrust.org/trails/
• Baker Preserve
• Bunker Hill Preserve
• Carpenter Property (trail maintained by CLCT)
• Goedecke-Humphrey Preserve
• Mary Conklin Preserve
• Onion Mountain Preserve
• Pollinator Pathway (owned by the Town of Canton as part of the Farmington River Rail-Trail along Allen Place, maintained by many members of the CLCT)
• Pratt Preserve
• Smith Tree Farm
• Sun, Wind and Woodland Preserve
• Swan Preserve
• Sweetheart Mountain Preserve
• Swibold Preserve
• Uplands Preserve
• Winsor Woods Preserve
• Bonus: Roaring Brook Nature Center
