Steep Rock Association’s 4 unique preserves offer some of the most beautiful hikes in Northwest Connecticut. Spanning over 47 miles, our trails offer everything from a leisurely stroll along the Shepaug River to more rigorous hikes leading to spectacular views. Trail maps are located in the kiosks at the entrances to each preserve and highlight the distance of each blazed trail.
Northeast of Washington Depot is Hidden Valley, 940 acres of mixed forest and meadows crisscrossed by nearly 20 miles of trails that offer a variety of terrain for hiking.
The 998-acre Steep Rock Preserve offers hiking trails which follow the river banks and provide access into the hillsides above.
The unspoiled land – a mix of meadow, farmland, wooded ridge and wetlands — sits just north of Route 202, opposite the junction of Route 47, and makes a magnificent natural gateway to the town.
West Mountain Preserve, located in the southeast corner of Washington, comprises two distinct properties: Johnson Farm and Hillside Farm.
Judea Garden began in spring 2009. Where the community comes together to provide fresh produce for members of our community with limited financial resources.
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Year In Review As 2026 unfurls, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share Steep Rock Association’s 2025 Year in Review—a reflection on our Centennial year and the legacy of conservation your support continues to advance. In 1925, our organization began...
[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Spring Into Steep Rock Hiking Challenge March 20 – June 18, 2026 Celebrate spring on the trails! Join us for the Spring Into Steep Rock Hiking Challenge, a self-paced challenge to...
Photo: Eastern bluebird by Haig Leonard 100 Years of Gratitude As our Centennial year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the vision of our founders and whether they could have anticipated the impact their bold idea in land...
