Day Hikes: Bethany Farms Trails a Fall Hiker's Delight

The Bethany Farms Trail System was green and wooden and filled with the smell of freshly fallen leaves earlier this week after Tropical Storm Irene packed its punch on the region last weekend.

The system, which encompasses several miles of open space in Woodbridge and Bethany, crosses throughout a handful of easements, as well as Bethany Land Trust-managed properties, within one of the area's largest housing developments.

But the post-storm status of the trails, while at times a bit mucky and muddy, were perfect this week for a moderate level day hike, even given the handful of fallen limbs to lumber over, as the surrounding forest was in a green and lush state following Tropical Storm Irene.

And Bladen's Brook on the Woodbridge side was blazing along its banks thoughout the late afternoon, providing for the full sound of the water breaking fast along rocks and boulders and the mud as it raced down toward the eventual end point of the Long island Sound.

The system can be accessed through various trails heads along Country Lane (two locations), Farm View Road and Chelsea Circle. Access from the Woodbridge side is available along Sanford Road just before its intersection with Route 67.

Limited parking is available at each of the trail heads.

The trail system is for passive recreation only. Dogs are allowed along the trails on leash. Hunting and trapping, however, is prohibited.

For more information, visit The Bethany Land Trust.