Steep Rock Preserve
explore an old train tunnel in Washington Depot, CT
How long is the walk?
There are lots of trails available. The loop to the tunnel and back is about 4 miles (closer to 4.75 if you do yellow and then cross the river to green).
Some notes from my family's experience:
From the main parking lot, take the Yellow Circle Trail down Tunnel Road (you'll be starting on the side closest to the horse farm and riding ring). Tunnel Road is open to cars for a little bit before you pass a gate.
Keep going on the Yellow Circle Trail! Eventually you will see Yellow Circle turn right to cross a bridge. Don't cross yet - the train tunnel is on the same side of the river that you started on. Where Yellow Circle turns to the right (to connect to the bridge), you'll keep going straight on Blue Square. Very shortly, you will see a small green sign tacked to a tree that says TUNNEL. Follow the arrow onto the White Diamond trail, and in about 5 minutes you will reach the giant train tunnel!
After exploring the tunnel, you have two options:
- Backtrack the same way you came along Yellow Circle/Tunnel Road. This option is stroller accessible the whole way.
- Backtrack to the intersection with the bridge, cross the bridge, and end up on the other side of the river. Turn right onto Green Circle and take it all the way back to your car. Green Circle follows the river and has a relatively short section that is rocky, narrow, and fun (but definitely not accessible to strollers, and I'm not sure I'd want to do it with a little one in a carrier or backpack). We saw kids as young as 4 years old doing just fine on this trail.
This was a super fun adventure. Our kids hike A LOT, but 4.75 miles is further than we usually go (a big hike for us is usually 3 miles, and a routine hike is 1.5 - 2 miles). Neither child complained once - the terrain was easy and accessible, and the tunnel was fun and motivating!
This adventure took us about 3 hours. We stopped for sandwiches by the river and I packed a treat to have at the tunnel. We definitely could have spent longer playing and exploring. There are lots of sandy riverbanks for throwing rocks and enjoying the sunshine.
More Information:
Trail maps and more information are HERE.
Rocky section of the Green Circle Trail
Train Tunnel!
River Crossing from Yellow to Green Trail
About this series of hikes and outdoor adventures
In this time of program closure and social distancing, we are seeking to support families and children in getting outside in safe and healthy ways .We hope you can stay active and get some sunshine and fresh air, and that this series of hikes and adventures offers some inspiration for places to explore.
Guidance from CT DEEP HERE on hiking and outdoor activities while staying safe and healthy.
This series is shared by Rebecca Holcombe, Director of Children's and Community Programs at Common Ground. Rebecca has two boys (ages 6 and 8), who enjoy outdoor adventures around CT and beyond. Photos and content for this series is drawn from 52walksinthewoods, a personal Instagram project (now in its 4th year!) to document at least one nature based adventure with my boys, every week of the year.
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Email: rholcombe@commongroundct.org
Website: commongroundct.org
Location: 358 Springside Avenue, New Haven, CT, United States
Phone: 203-389-4333 1213
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommonGroundConnecticut/
Twitter: @CommonGroundCt