Off The Trails: A Hiker's Guide to the Outdoors

Hidden Valley Preserve is a hidden gem located situated in the northwest section of Connecticut. Owned by the Steep Rock Association, Hidden Valley Preserve sits on 700 acres and contains nearly 17 miles of trails for all types of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers can spend time walking along the Shepaug River or observe the landscape at the overlook and pinnacle. Trails range from easy to moderate in difficulty.

There are several must see locations when visiting Hidden Valley Preserve. The first is the Thoreau Suspension Bridge. The bridge spans 134ft across the Shepaug River and offers plenty of scenic views. This bridge is a hotspot for anyone looking for the perfect social media photo!

The second “must see” point is the Quartz Mine. The mine, located all on the surface, was active from the 1800’s to 1915 and supported some local operations. If you are looking for dark tunnels or hidden shafts, you may be disappointed. The mine was only active on the surface and does not contain any underground landmarks. What does remain are large quartz minerals dotted throughout the area. Some minerals stand over 6ft tall while fragments dot the trails and crunch under your feet as you walk too and from the mine.

Hidden Valley doesn’t just offer river views, quartz and timber trails, there is also two overlook locations. The lookout is a great rest area offering a view facing west into the valley. The second viewing point is the pinnacle. The pinnacle is standing at an elevation of 820ft, the entire land preserve is visible. Hidden Valley is one of four land preserves owned by the Steep Rock Association. The other three are Steep Rock, West Mountain Preserve and Macricostas Preserve.

Overall Hidden Valley is a perfect spot for anyone looking to explore the Connecticut scenery while spending time in nature. There are plenty of trails that are well marked and easy to navigate. However, I would recommend taking a picture of the trail map prior to beginning your hike because cell service can be spotty.

Parking: 198 Bee Brook Road, Washington Depot, CT, 06794. Parking lot can fill up quickly. Additional lot is located at 269 Sabbaday Lane. This lot is a further walk from most of the landmarks.

Alltrails: Search “Hidden Valley Preserve to see the different hikes and trails. Select one of the premapped trails or just navigate freely along the different trails.