QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 802 acres
- Trail Mileage: ~8 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to strenuous
- Sights: Bradley and Heald Ponds, three little mountains
This 802-acre preserve encompasses three little hills — two with decent views — and two ponds. In between, there are miles of forested trails and even one 0.7-mile packed gravel path that leaves from the trail head near Palmer Lane. At a bog near Bradley Pond, you can watch birds from a platform with a bench (accessible off Perkey’s Path).
I arrived at 10 a.m. in the morning and didn’t leave until after 3 p.m., so you can go for a pretty lengthy walk or pick one of several smaller loops to do. There are five places to access the preserve, each with parking.
In my opinion, the best views are from Whiting Hill (801 feet), the second best from Flat Hill (891 feet). Amos and Whiting have benches at their summits. If you hike up Amos Mountain (955 feet) from the north parking lot of Route 5, you can choose to go steeply straight up (passing a stone called El Pulpito, *the pulpit*) or wind your way up via alternative paths. Bypass the Devil’s Staircase if you want to avoid the most dramatic steepness.
Also nice is the short spur to Heald Pond, where there is a rock to sit on and possibly decent swimming? Take care not to miss the path, it’s easy to walk by, especially if you’re coming from Amos Mountain.
Directions: There is a parking lot just east of Mill Brook off Slab City Road, two points of access with parking off Route 5, and a lot off Heald Pond Road. Park at the parking lot near Palmer Lane for the wheelchair-accessible path.
