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Weir Nature Preserve

© John Matthiessen

Why You Should Visit
A two-mile trail leads over ledges, past cascading water, along a wetland, and across open fields. The hillsides are notable for dense mountain laurel and bold rock outcrops that overlook swampland along the course of the Comstock Brook.

Location
Wilton

Hours
Dawn to dusk

Size
110 acres

Conditions
There is a well-maintained loop trail through mixed forest with a view of South Cove and the Essex waterfront.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Please see our “Preserve Visitation Guidelines” page.

Directions
From the south:

  • From the Merritt Parkway take exit 40 or from Interstate 95 take exit 15 for Route 7; drive north.
  • Drive approximately 11 miles; turn left onto Route 102 at a traffic light in Ridgefield, and proceed as below.

From the north:

  • From Interstate 84 in Danbury, take Route 7 south. 
  • Drive 7.5 miles; turn right onto Route 102 at a traffic light in Ridgefield, and proceed as below.

From Route 102:

  • Drive 0.2 miles and turn left on Old Branchville Road. 
  • Drive 0.4 miles and turn left on Nod Hill Road. 
  • Drive 0.6 miles and look for a small parking area on the left; preserve entrance is on the right.

What to See: Plants
The forest is mixed hardwoods, primarily oak and hickory and some maple and beech, with an understory of mountain laurel in well-drained areas. In early spring, look for bloodroot and Dutchman’s breeches, and look later for red trillium, columbine, and lady’s slipper.

What to See: Animals
Where the undergrowth is thick, especially in mountain laurel groves, expect the explosive takeoff of a ruffed grouse or two.  Somewhat secretive, they scratch in the leaves in search of seeds and insects and fly off only at the very last moment..  In the spring, the sound of peepers fills the wetland areas.  Foxes and raccoons are also spotted.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site  
Named for J. Alden Weir, the noted American Impressionist, the Weir Preserve was created in 1969 with a gift of 37 acres from Weir's daughter, Cora Weir Burlingham, to the Conservancy.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Subsequent gifts of land have increased this preserve to 110 acres.