Apshawa Preserve

Great trails here. Some just end though and you have to double back. Some great views.

Great experience beautiful scenic views well maintained trail.

This is an underrated trail that gets a lot of flack from the reviews. I don't consider myself an experienced hiker, but I was able to follow the trails. One review mentioned a way to get to the waterfall but I would like to add to clarify: start on blue, then go orange but then when you get to green, you need to go left if you want the waterfalls, the ruins and the summit. If you go right on green, you will just get to the reservoir, and then IF you continue down green/red trail, then you can catch the summit and then the waterfalls/ ruins. Some reviewers said they couldn't find the falls, I hope this clarifies.

The only real drawbacks, in my opinion, are that from the waterfalls to the summit, it gets very green if going midsummer and lots of plants with three leaves are rubbing against your legs (almost unavoidable). We stopped at a pharmacy and got ivy wash just in case after we left. Our whole hike we calculated was 3.15 miles (blue, orange, green to red/green, back to parking via blue). I did need my phone to help at times to orient myself. Another drawback is the sign that says not to walk on the dam which is asking to be walked on...we resisted...but it wasn't easy.

A great spot for a hike of varied levels. You can choose easy or more strenuous. Green and white both have alot of elevation so be informed! If you turn right from blue to green the loop will have mostly down hill. If your knees hate down hill...go left from blue to green. But the ascend climb is steep for a while White trail going out from blue to red is mostly down...coming in from red to blue...up. Water tank ruins are amazing! Must see!!! Falls are running VERY light (almost not at all) due to drought conditions on 6-18-23. Happy hiking!
Trail maintenance neededin 3 locations:
1. 2 trees have recently fallen across the bridge crossing the brook on blue trail. No damage to bridge but lots of debris on bridge and trail.
2. Deer fence down close to where green/red meets the metal bridge by dam.
3. Deer gate from red back to green is not making contact to lock and is therefore standing open.
Hopefully, the parties that need to receive this info will.

Nice park, you can go around pretty much the while preserve in about 4.5 miles or so. Trails are easy to moderate.

Highlights include the reservoir, a waterfall, some ruins, a ridge with a decent view, and some nice streams and rivers.

It's good for the kids as well.