We’re excited to share a meaningful milestone with you—a first glimpse into the new trail you made possible in Hidden Valley’s expanded wilderness.
In May 2023, thanks to the generosity of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation—a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation, Lilah Hilliard Fisher Foundation, David L. Klein Jr. Foundation, and Connecticut Land Conservation Council as well as more than 120 generous donors, Steep Rock expanded Hidden Valley Preserve by a remarkable 200+ acres.
And now, one of the first visible impacts of this generosity has taken shape: the Stone Walls Loop, a new trail within the Bantam parcel of the preserve.
Named in honor of the historic stone walls that weave through this area, the Stone Walls Loop is a 0.6-mile journey through lush woods and enduring walls, remnants of the land’s agricultural past. Each section of the trail was thoughtfully planned to follow the contours of these historic stone walls, creating a route that brings you closer to both the natural beauty of the forest and the quiet legacy of those who once worked this land.
As the final touches on construction come to a close, we look forward to sharing this experience with you this spring.
