Cromwell Valley: Wellington Woods

Certainly a great toddler starter trail and up. This (almost figure 8) loop trail is on the shorter side but has some elevation for the little ones to trudge up. It can be muddy and there’s no epic vista but it’s worth it for your and their sanity. Park at the Sherwood House gravel lot and enter the trail by the sign showing Sherwood Farm Trail. Once you hit the woods you’ll go about 10 yards and turn left onto the Wellington Woods Trail (Green blazed). About another 40 yards and you’ll pass a roofless gazebo. If it has rained or snowed out it has really fun slippery floors for the kids to pretend or actual skate on. Follow the trail as it borders the meadows behind the Sherwood House. As you head downhill you’ll reach a sign allowing you to shortcut to the back half of the trail. If your kids are already dwindling or you’re having one of those days…take it! Otherwise enjoy the loop through similar hardwoods of Cromwell (Beech, Polar, American Holly and Oaks). When you reconnect with the shortcut you’ll be heading mostly downhill. Find an interesting set of mushrooms or ferns. Scavenge for acorn caps. But most of all enjoy the twisty winding rows of trees towering above. When you reach the stream you’ll be in pretty awesome mud…tread lightly and at the bench your left and see a small cascade of water. You’ll re-emerge shortly and be back at your car. To continue the hike, add in the Sherwood Farm Trail or the Chat Path.