Follow Rt. 79 North from downton Madison until you reach the traffic circle. Go east out of the traffic circle toward Killingworth. Summer Hill Road is the first left after the Robert's plaza. The Summer Hill Preserve parking lot is on the right just after you turn north onto Summer Hill Rd.
Click the red flag above to locate trailhead parking
Overview & Map
Category: Easy woodland trail.
Start: Trailhead at the parking area on Summer Hill Road.
Distance: Distances about 1 mile depending on choice of trails.
Approximate time: 1 hours
Parking: On Summer Hill Road
What to look for on the Summer Hill Trail
The Summer Hill Preserve was purchased in 2011. These 77 acres are an important large tract of woodland. The Preserve is near the Hammonasset River and large pieces of protected watershed in north Madison and Killingworth. Woodlands like these are important wildlife habitat, providing enough room to support mammals such as fox, rabbits, coyote, fisher, beaver, deer, and even bear.
The preserve is home to numerous woodland bird species, such as the Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks, Barred Owl, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Red-winged Blackbird, as well as Pileated, Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and more.
These woods provide special cover for wintering bird species. Because the Preserve is just 7 miles from Long Island Sound it enjoys milder winter temperatures than forests in northern Connecticut and New England. Blue Jays, Blue Birds and other species flock together to spend the winter in this forest.
PLEASE NOTE: Hunting, camping, fires, cutting trees or vegetation, horses, and motorized vehicles are all prohibited on Madison Land Conservation Trust property. MLCT trails and properties are for hiking only. Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed. Please pick up all animal waste.