Walking along Connecticut hiking trails, it’s not unusual to come across small bridges crossing the many streams winding through the woods. Tucked away in Washington Depot’s Hidden Valley Preserve, nature lovers discover an unexpected engineering feat.
The Henry David Thoreau footbridge, named for the 19th Century philosopher and author, is unlike any other in the state.
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The 120-foot-long engineered suspension bridge is inscribed with quotes from the beloved author, whose love for nature is widely known.
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At the eastern side of the bridge, a plaque reads: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
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Beyond the bridge, explore the 650-acre preserve’s trails. One of the trails accesses an abandoned quartz mine. Tiny pieces of quarts crunch under hikers shoes as they hike along the trail and a huge vein of quartz remains exposed.
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Access the park from parking lots along Route 47 and Bee Brook Road, on the northern and southern sides of the Shepaug River. The bridge is visible from the parking area.
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All nature lovers and Henry David Thoreau fans will love this Connecticut gem. Visit the Hidden Valley Preserve’s site for a detailed hiking map.
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For more amazing hikes in Connecticut, check out these 10 hikes under 3 miles.
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