The 31 acre Harbourton Preserve, located at 144 Harbourton-Woodsville Road, is one mile west of the Woodsville Preserve. At the entrance sign, there is a paved driveway which leads to a small stone parking area.
The preserve has two sections: about half of the preserve, located along the road, is a fairly open area interspersed with numerous Red cedar trees; to the rear is a hardwood forest which extends to the Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve. A trail links the two preserves.
The open area fronting the road is unusual in that almost all trees are Red cedars. These “pioneer” species were the first to grow in a treeless area transitioning from a farm field or pasture to a wooded area. The open space among the Red cedars is almost all Goldenrod, a native species, so named for its showy yellow flowers in the fall. They are a favorite plant for bees and butterflies (and ticks after rain).
Some Red cedars have small, dark purple berries. These are an important food source in the winter for birds. When dropped, these berries often seed new trees.
From the Parking Area:
The trail from the parking area in a short distance comes to a trail junction. The trail going straight is the Harbourton Preserve Trail that extends to the Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve. After winding through the Red cedars, the trail enters the wooded area (with yellow markers on trees). After passing one section of the Red Cedar Trail (red arrow on a post) to the right, the trail slowly descends a large slope. At the bottom of the slope, the trail meets the Ridge Trail (white markers) in the Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve.
At the trail junction near the parking area, the trail to the right is the Red Cedar Trail (with red arrows on posts). This trail features a denser growth of Red cedar trees before it enters the wooded section to the rear. Just before entering the wooded area, the loop section of the trail is to the left and the trail section to the Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve is straight ahead. After a turning left a short distance, the trail connects with the Harbourton Preserve Trail with yellow markers. By taking that trail to the left, hikers can complete a loop and head back to the parking area.
From Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve:
For hikers on the Ridge Trail in the Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve, a trail to the Harbourton Preserve ascends the high ridge along the north side of the trail. There is a small sign where the trail starts and yellow markers appear on trees. This trail can be taken to the Red Cedar Trail (with red arrows on posts) which forms a loop to take back to the starting point.
Parking is available at Harbourton Preserve along Harbourton-Woodsville Road. Use the coordinates 40.35375, -74.83739