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The Wildwood Trail
Location Information
Sponsored by:
Connecticut Forest & Park Association
Location Entrance:
Beaver Meadow Road
Haddam, CT 06438
Location Phone:
N/A
Type: A single trail
Alternate trailhead or entry point:
Jericho Road Access (see directions below)
Difficulty: Challenging (Steep terrain with the likeliness to encounter periodic obstacles.)
Primary Walking Surface:
Earth
Hours open:
Dawn to dusk
Suitable for ages: • Children • Teenagers • Adults • Seniors
Number of walking trails: 1
Total walking route length: 1 miles
Admission fees:
Free
Location Details
The Wildwood Trail is blazed with a 2" X 6" painted blaze. The top 2/3rds are light (CFPA) blue and the bottom third is red. This trail is maintained by volunteers of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA). The trail is 1.4 miles in length and is the most physically demanding section of the Cockaponset Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails (BBHTs). Description of the trail is from North to South. From intersection with Blue-Blazed Cockaponset Trail procede west and cross un-named orange/white blazed trail on an angle. Negotiate hairpin turn to the left and begin to ascend, passing through mountain laurel stands and dead hemlock stands. Trail conitinues on wtih moderate ups and downs until steep loose descent through a wet area. Trail ascends along the top of a ledge before mostly leveling out. Descend a rocky slope and follow the trail along the base of ledge to intersection with Cockaponset Trail. Jericho Road is 75 feet to your right. Please consult the Connecticut Walk Book East for more detailed descriptions and maps.
Location Features
| Landscape settings: | • Rural • Stream/river • Woodland • Wetland • Gentle hill • Steep hill |
| Amenities: | • Leashed pets permitted |
| Activities: |       |
| Neighboring towns: | Haddam and Chester |
| Access restrictions: | This is a CFPA maintained State Hiking Trail in the Cockaponset State Forest-Foot traffic only (hiking, running, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing). Dogs must be leashed. This is a state forest and hunting is allowed, so wear blaze orange during hunting season. |
 Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail: |
The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System, was established in 1929 by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), a private, non-profit conservation organization. Since that time, the system has grown to include roughly 825 miles of footpaths across Connecticut. The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails are maintained by dedicated CFPA volunteers for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public. To learn more about their use, visit the Trail Use Policy page. The Connecticut Walk Book East and West, comprehensive guides to the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails, are also available at our online store. |
How to get there
| Driving Directions: | Take CT Route 9 to Exit 8, Beaver Meadow Road. Proceed west for 1/4 mile on Beaver Meadow Road to the trailhead/parking area. Follow the Blue Blazed Hiking Trail (Cockaponset Trail) for approximately 2/10ths of a mile to the Beaver Brook Junction. Turn right (west) on to the blue/red blazed trail, which is the Wildwood Trail.
Jericho Road Access: From CT Route 9 Exit 8, procede west past the trailhead on Beaver Meadow Road. Turn right on to the first gravel forest road (Mottland Road). At the sharp turn in the road the name changes from Mottland Road to Jericho Road. Follow up and over hill, looking for blue blazes at bottom of first descent. Parking for 2-3 cars is along the shoulder. Head north on blue-blazed trail approximately 75 feet to the intersection with Wildwood Trail (blue/red blazes) on your left. |
| Parking: | Park either at the trailhead 1/4 mile west of Route 9 (2 cars) or at the commuter lot at the Exit and walk to the trailhead. |
| Public transportation: | None |
Other Items of Interest
| Flora and fauna: | Numerous ecotones. Expect to find plants and animals assocaited with narrow stream valleys, transitional woodlands, and swamps along the way. Ledges near Jericho road show interesting pocket erosion. |
| Affiliate Groups: | CT chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) often leads hikes in the forest. |