Hampton is proud to announce an unprecedented amount of events in our town for the walking weekends of autumn, some scheduled multiple times in the month. Below is a listing – there’s surely something for everyone!
September 30 (9AM – NOON) & 31 (1 — 4PM) Long Distance Black Spruce Pond Hike 23 Potter Road
Join naturalist Adam Drouin for a 5 mile hike from the Goodwin Conservation Center, along the Blue Trail, to Black Spruce Pond and returning along the Air Line Trail. Trails will be without much uphill. Hiking shoes, water and a snack are recommended. Sponsored by Goodwin Conservation Center, ctwoodlands.org.
October 1, 7, 15, 21 &29 (10:30AM – NOON) Create a Bond: Take a Rescue Horse for a Walk This Fall 78 Lewis Road
You’ll start by meeting all of our rescue horses and hearing their stories. Then you’ll get to know one a little more by brushing and giving lots of treat! Once you feel like you’ve made a connection, we’ll take the horses for a walk down the Air Line Trail, taking in the fall foliage and the sounds of nature, while giving a rescue horse the best day ever! Registration required. Sponsored by Hidden Springs Farm, hiddenspringshorsesct.com
October 4 (10:30AM – 12:30PM) Tales of Hampton Station Eleventh Section and Estabrooks Roads
Stroll back into time with the railroad lore of Hampton Station. This easy but steady walk along the Air Line Trail State Park will also feature beautiful views of swamps and their foliage. Sponsored by Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, cteastrmuseum.org
October 7 (9 –11:30AM) & 8 (2 – 4:30PM) Governor’s Island Hike 23 Potter Road
Celebrate Walktober with a little over a 3 mile hike from the Conservation Center, along the beautiful trails to scenic Governor’s Island. There is a lookout on the island which offers great views, so bring hiking shoes, binoculars, water and a snack. Sponsored by Goodwin Conservation Center, ctwoodland.org.
October 12 (1 –2PM) Air Line Trail Stroll 23 Potter Road
Take a leisurely walk starting at the Goodwin Conservation Center along the Air Line Trail through the state forest. The walk will be a maximum of 2 miles, but can be shorter. Sponsored by James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, ct.woodland.org.
October 14 (9:30AM — 12:30PM) Last Green Valley Adventure: Save the Trails – Family Friendly Forest Game 23 Potter Road
Join us for a series of immersive activities for all ages. Paint some pumpkins, clean and mark some trails, learn to identify plants and animals, navigate with a compass, go on a scavenger hunt, experience all the sounds of nature and much more – while leaving no trace! The whole family can experience sustainable outdoor practices that will build a lifetime of responsible fun in nature – drop in any time during the event to complete as many activities as you’d like. Sponsored by Project Imo, projectimo.org, and The Last Green Valley, thelastgreenvalley.org.
October 14 (10AM – 5PM) Heritage Day at the Organic Roots Farm at Popover Hill 147 East Old Route 6
Come to Organic Roots for our 4th Annual Heritage Day! It will be a fun time with the traditional farm crafts and demonstrations, retail vendors showcasing their wares, free refreshments and more. Sponsored by Organic Roots Farm at Popover Hill; find them on Facebook.
October 15 (1 – 3PM) Nature and the Little River, Hammond Hill
Enjoy a leisurely walk on a newly cleared trail along the Little River. The trail is located in the Hampton Conservation Commission’s most recent acquisition, the 52 acre Hammond Hill/Little River Preserve. Conservationists will be available to answer questions about area management and habitats. Sponsored by Hampton Antiquarian and Historical Society.
October 28 (9AM – NOON) Pine Acres Pond Loop 23 Potter Road
To celebrate Walktober, visit the Goodwin Conservation Center. Then depart on the almost 4 mile hike which will loop around Pine Acres Pond, pass Governor’s Island outlook, and return on over a mile of the Air Line Trail. Sponsored by Goodwin Conservation Center, ctwoodlands.org.
November 4 (9 – 11:30AM) Orchard Hill Overlook Hike 23 Potter Road.
Join us for the scenic Orchard Hill Hike led by Adam Drouin. We’ll meet in front of the Conservation Center and then hike for around 3 miles, with the possibility to leave earlier. The trails are beautiful with some incline to conquer. Sponsored by James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, ctwoodlands. org.