Length: 4.0 miles loop
Feature: Stream, Woods
Max. elevation change: 260 feet
USGS maps: Weston Quad
Amount of use: Light
Hiking level: Easy
Average hike time: 1½ -2 ½ hour loop
Use restrictions: No horses, mountain bikes, or motorized vehicles
Camping Fee: $10 per site/night at campground
The Greendale loop offers a 4.0 miles hike through a mixed forest of northern hardwood and conifer trees with long stretches bordering scenic streams. 3.0 miles of the hike are on quiet gravel roads and the remaining mile is on a multipurpose trail serving hikers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.
Exiting the campground loop, turn left on Greendale Road and follow it for approximately 0.5 miles crossing the bridge over Greendale brook. Do not take the old road that forks to the right just before the bridge. After crossing the bridge the road reverts to a trail that is marked with blue diamonds, which identify it as part of a cross-country ski trail system. Paralleling a tributary of Greendale brook, the trail climbs a moderately steep grade for the next mile until it intersects an old road, which is also the Jenny Coolidge Trail. At this junction turn left and follow the road, Forest Road 17, for approximately 2.0 miles back to the Greendale Road, Forest Road 18. Much of this section is a down hill hike that follows the very scenic Jenny Coolidge Brook. At the junction of Greendale road turn left and follow the road approximately 1.0 mile back to the campground. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in.
From Route 100 in Weston, travel north on Route 100 for approximately 2.0 miles. Turn left onto Greendale Road (Forest Road 18);
From Route 103 in East Wallingford, travel south on Rte. 155 for about 10.0 miles. Continue south for about another 8.0 miles after the road turns into Rte 100. Turn right onto Greendale Road (FR 18);
- Follow FR 18 for about 3.0 miles to the campground. The road ends less than a half a mile beyond the campground, where limited parking is available. The trail is straight ahead over an unused concrete bridge.
Food and Services: Weston or East Wallingford
For all Emergencies: 911
911 Information: The trailhead is in the Town of Weston, off Forest Road 18.