Fliegel Farm  Woods

This walk in the woods includes a stroll down part of the Old Connecticut Path, an ancient route used by Native Americans and Colonial settlers. 

Walkability: Fairly easy. The beginning of the walk is on the Old Connecticut Path, which is rock-strewn. There is a short downhill section at the beginning (uphill on the return). The rest of the trail is fairly flat with stones in the trail.

Total distance: 0.96 miles.

Time: 30 minutes. 

Elevation change: 78 feet (up + down).

Environment: We are sad to say that this trail has deteriorated since our visit two years ago and is badly in need of maintenance. Walkers must push through tall grass at the beginning, then dodge multitudes of multiflora roses along the OCP.  Once on the woods trail, though the trail is well marked with yellow painted blazes on the trees, one has difficulty at times knowing where exactly to walk. The trail is overgrown with ferns and skunk cabbage in some large sections. In addition, multiple trees and branches litter the trail, making it difficult and sometimes dangerous to walk. 

The initial 0.2 mile walk down the OCP allowed us to time-travel, imagining walking this route with wagons, children, and cattle from Cambridge to Colonial towns in the Hartford region. A large open field is visible on the right before the fairly gentle downhill slope continues onto the woodland path after a left turn. (OCP continues downhill onto private property.) The trail becomes mostly flat and passes an area filled with gorgeous maidenhair ferns. The trail makes a short loop at the farthest point, where it crosses some wetlands and then parallels Knowlton Brook for a time. A bench at the .5 mile mark creates a peaceful spot to sit and watch the brook's current. 

Directions: East Howey Road, off of Zaicek Road. The pavement ends after a short distance, but keep going. At the end of the road, turn right into the driveway (Sean Patrick's Plants) and park immediately on the right. The trail begins as an extension of E. Howey Road. 

Fliegel Farm Woods page at the Joshua's Trust website.

June 2025

Photos: 1-A boa-constrictor-like Asian bittersweet vine on East Howey Road.  2-Old Connecticut Path at the beginning of the walk. 3-Knowlton Brook in Fliegel Farm Woods. 4-Maidenhair fern in the center of the tract.