2024 Marathon Hike Level 1, Hike #11: Tahmore Trail

SUMMARY:  Tahmore Trail is a moderately hilly loop through the Land Trust's Tahmore Preserve property. It leads to the Indian Well overlook at the border with Indian Well State Park.  This trail was substantially rerouted and improved a few years ago, with much better footing and views. 

PARKING: At the end of Tahmore Place, a cul-de-sac. From the traffic light at the intersection of Rt 110 and Maple/East Village Road (where the shopping center is), drive north on East Village Road to the first stop sign, then go straight onto Wabuda Place (East Village Road goes left here). Continue to the end of the Wabuda Place and turn right onto Sachem Drive. Continue to the end of Sachem and go left onto East Village Drive. Take the first right onto Tahmore Place and drive all the way to the end of the road and park. Click HERE for link to Google Map.

BLAZE COLOR: Blue/yellow rectangles painted on trees, sometimes described as 'blue over yellow.' The blaze is blue on top and yellow on the bottom. This color scheme signifies a trail that connects up with the blue-blazed Paugussett Trail. 

click map to enlarge

TRAIL MAP: The official trail map for Tahmore Preserve and Indian Well can be found here. 

CONDENSED DESCRIPTION: Using the red-blazed linkage trail that bisects the blue/yellow loop, hike a figure-8 through Tahmore Preserve. 

FULL DESCRIPTION: Follow the blazes carefully through this preserve. Start up the red-blazed linkage trail and immediately turn right onto the blue/yellow-blazed Tahmore Trail. The trail winds up to the "Top of Tahmore", where there are seasonal glimpses of the Housatonic River through the trees. Continue back down the other side of the hill, with the trail curving across the grade to reduce erosion. You might spot a cow down below as the sounds of Rt 110 drift up to the trail.

Descend into a notch between two hills and look for the red blazes on the left in order to make your "figure-8." The Red Trail goes up through the middle of the notch towards Tahmore Place. When you arrive back at Tahmore Trail, take a right and follow the blue/yellow blazes down the hill. Come to "Tahmore Junction," where the blue-blazed Paugussett Trail comes in  from the left, follows the trail a few feet, and then heads off to the left again. Just stay on the blue/yellow trail, which turns right and heads up to a popular overlook. If you have good eyes, you can see the Derby-Shelton Dam and the Route 8 bridge in the distance. 

Continue on around the loop until you come back to the bottom of the notch where you were earlier, marked with red blazes, and take a right. Follow the red blazes back to your car.