Trace the banks of the serene Quinebaug River looking for frogs and spotted salamanders before ascending a wooded ridge.

What makes Quinebaug Woods a special place?

When you trek the short loop trail here, you’ll go north along the Quinebaug River before turning west and heading up and over a steep hillside with rocky outcrops. Oak, hickory, white ash, and white pine make up the open canopy along the top of this “hogback” ridge, while hemlocks dominate below the ridge, forming dense stands. On the exposed ridge you’ll find a stone chimney and foundation steps – all that remain from a cabin built in 1932. From this and other vantage points, you can take in views of Blake Hill to the east and Hamilton Reservoir to the south.

Near the ridgetop, a large, shaded vernal pool supports wood and pickerel frogs, American toads, and spotted salamanders. Along the banks of the Quinebaug River, beavers have taken down trees and constructed a lodge.  Kingfishers and great blue herons hunt along the river’s banks and shallows, sunfish and bass can be seen from the shore, and cardinal flowers bloom in late summer along the river’s edge. 

Located next to the 575-acre Army Corps of Engineers Holland Pond Flood Control and Recreation Area and near the 518-acre Leadmine Wildlife Management Area, Quinebaug Woods is a valuable addition to the broader ecological landscape.

Trails
1.1 mile loop trail. Moderate walking.

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour, 2 hours if also visiting Tantiusques.

Regulations & Advisories

• Mountain biking permitted only on designated trails. Trails are closed to mountain biking March 1 to April 30 during muddy season.
  
  
• Seasonal bow hunting with permission only.

Directions

Dug Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Telephone: 413.532.1631
Email: central@ttor.org

Latitude: 42.069621
Longitude: -72.156033

Get directions on Google Maps.

From the Mass Turnpike (I-90), take Exit 9 to I-84 South. Take Exit 3 to Rt. 20 West. At the intersection with Rt. 148, turn left onto Holland Rd. Follow Holland Rd into Holland, where it becomes Sturbridge Rd. Look for the dam at the Hamilton Reservoir on your left. Immediately after passing the dam, turn right onto Dug Hill Rd. The entrance and parking (3 cars) is on the right.

Admission

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1 hour, 2 hours if also visiting Tantiusques.

Admission
FREE to all

Property History

Property Acquisition History
Gift of Benjamin and Margaret Haller in 2001.

Volunteer Opportunities

Work Parties

Conservation and Stewardship

Management Planning for Our Properties
 


Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations have worked to protect special places in Massachusetts and maintain them to the highest standards. To ensure these standards are met, a program of careful planning and sound management is essential. Comprehensive property management plans are created for each reservation and are completely updated approximately every ten years. We often work with volunteers, property users, and members of the community to carry out this planning, which typically involves several steps:
 


• Describing in detail the site’s natural, scenic, and historical resources; identifying management issues related to the protection of those resources. 

• Describing how visitors use the property; outlining the opportunities that the property provides for people to become involved in the work of conservation and caring for their community.

• Developing a detailed list of management recommendations, a work plan, and a description of financial needs for implementing the actions.

• Developing a prescribed routine management program for the reservation that will guide staff work plans, volunteer involvement, and the allocation of human and financial resources.


View Quinebaug Woods management plan.

Maps and Resources

At present, a downloadable map is not available for Quinebaug Woods.

Planning Your Visit

Travel Links
Sturbridge.com
Sturbridge.org

Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.

Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:

• Protect wildlife and plants.
• Guard against all risk of fire.
• Help keep air and water clean.
• Carry out what you carry in.
• Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
• Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
• Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
• Enjoy and share the landscape with others.

Click on links below for further visitor information:

Before Setting Out

Enjoying Trustees Reservations

Safety

About Hunting on Trustees of Reservations Land

Tell Us What You Think

We’d love to hear about your visit! Here are three easy ways to let us know what you think:

1. Take our visitor survey. If you have a question for us, you can ask us in the survey and we’ll get back to you.


2. Post a comment about your visit on our Facebook page.


3. Share your experiences with other visitors on our website. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll post your comment right here on this page.

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