2.0 Across The Last Green Valley: West Sutton, MA to Tolland, CT

INTRODUCTION

The most dramatic sections of the Old Connecticut Path may be found between Sutton, Massachusetts and Tolland, Connecticut. The Path follows old roads and forgotten paths deep within the woods of The Last Green Valley. It travels over ancient bridges, past beaver dams, across meadows and rolling hills. Ancient homestead sites and historic homes stand as testament to the lives of the early settlers who came to live along the path. Most compelling are the stepping stones laid across along the path to help make the way easier for travel along the path across streams. Following these stones truly allows you to walk in the footsteps of pioneers!

"The Last Green Valley" is formally recognized as including towns within the Quinebaug & Shetucket River National Heritage Corridor. The Old Connecticut Path enters this region from the adjoining towns of Sutton and Douglas, Massachusetts located within the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor. The Old Connecticut Path from Manchaug Pond in West Sutton and crossing the Douglas Woods provides a physical and historical linkage between these two National Heritage Corridors.

To view a short introduction to the Old Connecticut Path as it travels from Sutton, Massachusetts to Tolland, Connecticut, click on the picture or link below:http://youtu.be/9gIC9NLMcwE

To see the Old Connecticut Path from the ground level, take a few minutes to enjoy the music video displaying the beauty of The Last Green Valley between Sutton, Massachusetts and Tolland, Connecticut. Click on the picture or link below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdBmUTiVtxc

The route of the Old Connecticut Path follows a green corridor across four Massachusetts towns (Sutton, Douglas, Webster, Dudley) and six Connecticut towns (Thompson, Woodstock, Eastford, Ashford, Willington, Tolland). Much of the Path follows forgotten ways through woodlands away from busy highways and settlements. The genius of the Native people who laid the Path over centuries is evident. The Path follows the contours of the land for easy walking. Rivers are crossed at fords where the water is wide and shallow. Streams are crossed in the highlands where the can be easily stepped across. Wetlands skirted and beaver dams serve as reminders of their use as bridges.

To fly over The Last Green Valley for an orientation to the route of the Old Connecticut Path as it crosses from Sutton, MA to Tolland, CT, click on the picture or link below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x-gD5HYJbk

In this section, you are invited to visit some of the special places along the Old Connecticut Path as it crosses the Last Green Valley between Sutton, Massachusetts and Tolland, Connecticut. Come along to see the Path at the ground level so that you can experience the history and wilderness.

Explore the places along the Path within this section. Additional pages, videos, photos and other materials will be added. Please browse the pages available and come back to see new pages as they are added.

Please send any feedback, comments and/or suggestions to

e-mail : oldconnecticutpath@gmail.com

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BACK TO 2.001 Guide to Crossing the Last Green Valley: West Sutton, MA to Tolland, CT