Campus Trails

Nature trails on Griswold Public Schools campus were made to preserve the wood and wetlands that surround our campus. They are used by educators for nature education and exploration, by student athletes and physical education classes for exercise and training, and enjoyed by the community.

Participate in the Haunted Trail from October 1-31, 2024! More information at the bottom of this page.

 

Trail Brochure and Map - trails listed on webpage below

The River Trail: 1.3 miles

The River Trail starts in the parking lot near the varsity softball field (between the Middle and High Schools) and joins up with the Blue, White and Orange Trails.

The River Trail follows the Quinebaug River to the 395 underpass, then turns uphill to Williams Drive. The River Trail has some excellent views of the Quinebaug River.

Return back to the parking lot for a total of 2.6 miles.

The Blue Trail: 2.5 miles

The Blue Trail starts in the parking lot near the varsity softball field (between the Middle and High Schools), leads to the power lines and joins up with the River, White and Orange Trails.

The Blue Trail follows along the river and up and down some steep hillsides. This Trail is meant to be a good workout through the woods around the campus.

The White Trail 1.4 miles

The White Trail starts in the parking lot near the Football Field and Track and joins with the Orange Trail and Blue Trail.

The Trail branches off of the Blue Trail alongside the Quinebaug River where it returns to the parking lot.

The Orange Trail 1.2 miles (NATURE TRAIL)

The Orange Trail is a 1.2-mile nature trail that was created in 1985 with the efforts of Griswold High School science and woodshop classes. It is a great way for children and adults to rediscover nature, when explored in association with the Nature Trail Guide Booklet. This booklet outlines students' findings, such as the identification of local waterways, types of trees and plants, animal habitats, pests, and more.

Parking for The Orange Trail is located in the Elementary School parking lot off of the Campus Road near Route 164. The Trail starts across the street at the information booth.

The Orange Nature Trail is marked with orange blazes, with a crossover trail marked in blue blaze with a white center to shorten the walk if you do not feel like walking the entire trail. The Trail has some difficult climbs, but has been maintained to allow easy passage.

 

Geocaching

Use your GPS to find hidden treasure! Visit geocaching.com for more information on GEOCACHING and more locations. Go to easygps.com and download software to transfer the coordinates to your GPS.

One Cache on Griswold Public Schools property is located at GPS Coordinate N 041, 35, 535 | W 071, 58, 896. If you wish, you can exchange a cache with one that you find in the treasure box. No food items, please.

 

More Eastern Connecticut Trails

Visit the Last Green Valley for more trails in Northeastern Connecticut.

 

Haunted Nature Trail

Find Halloween-themed objects along the Orange Trail, October 1-31, 2024

Fun for the whole family! The Haunted Nature Trail starts at the Orange Trail trailhead across from Griswold Elementary School. Parking is available in the GES parking lot near the playground from the campus road off of route 164. The trails are open to the public, sunrise to sunset.

Make sure to have a pen or pencil with you. Retrieve a Halloween Nature Trail pamphlet from the box before entering the trail.

ACTIVITY 1: Complete all puzzles in the pamphlet.

ACTIVITY 2: Find the hidden objects

Follow the Orange Blaze Trail around the Nature Trail. When you reach a numbered post, start looking into the woods for a hidden Halloween object; there will be one object between each numbered post. You should be able to see the object from the trail. When you see it, please do not touch or remove the item -- please leave it for others to find. To keep things fun and fair, do not point items out to others -- let them find it on their own! 

When you find one of the objects listed in the pamphlet, write down the post number you passed in the box next to picture of the object.