The Duval Trail

First off, the Duval Trail is one of the best trails that South Kingstown and Southern Rhode Island has to offer. After completing the Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue segments of the Duval Trail system, I was taken aback by the beauty of the forests and the changing topography throughout the hike. For one thing, you will see that there are a lot more ups and downs in the Duval Trail system compared to other trails in the area. This is because it is located in the locally known “Matunuck Hills.” The rolling hills and dense, endless forest that seemed to go on forever invoked a sense of peacefulness and tranquility. The general sense of security in the forest, as well as its long stretches of meandering paths, make the Duval Trail ideal for a calming yet lengthy hike.

A stunning aspect of the Duval Trail System can be found on the Green trail, which requires a bit of hiking on the Red trail first. It is on this segment of trail that you will see a beautiful little kettle pond tucked away near a few houses. Here you can see ducks, kingfishers, and once and a while, a great blue heron. Overall, each trail in the Duval system has its perks. The Red, Green, and Yellow trails are a lot shorter than the Blue trail, the trails will be marked with a splash of paint on tree trunks that corresponds to the trail color. Usually, I start with the Red trail because the first part is on this little ridge, followed by a descent into a small-scale basin or depression in the land. Because the Duval trail system has more variety in terms of changing elevation, there are many times when you will experience going down into a bowl-shaped area, then climbing up the other side. This is part of the fun. At some point in the Red trail, you have the option to branch off to the Green trail or continue with the Red. When I am planning on completing the whole trail system, I branch off to the Green trail to see the beautiful kettle pond and some of the large rocks bordering the water. Once I wrap up the Green, I finish the Red, which concludes with a descent from one of the larger ridges in the system. After the Red and Green are done, I tackle the largest trail, the one marked with Blue. The Blue trail is longer and more strenuous than all of the other trails. It is a winding trail that ultimately ends up crossing Gravely Hill road and continuing deep into the woods. It is on this trail that you will see the “Sea of Trees,” the name I have given to the forest because of the endless amount of similarly sized trees and their wave-like pattern amongst each other. This trail ultimately ends at a cul-de-sac on Red House Road, requiring you to turn around and head back the way you came. The journey back is peaceful. The gorgeous rolling hills and occasional wildlife blend to create a pleasant experience. Once you have finally made your way back, the shortest trail in the system awaits you: the Yellow Trail. It is similar to the others except that it serves more as an alternative to completing the entire Blue trail. On this portion of the hike, you will see that the trail is essentially right next to the Blue trail until it meets the road. Overall, all of the trails are worth trekking, but for the best experience, I would either do the Red and Green together or the entire Blue trail.

Personally, I love the Duval Trail system. Whenever I plan on doing every trail (7.6 miles), I look forward to the scenery and the variety each trail offers. It is a peaceful experience. If you are looking to decompress, relieve a little stress, or just love the outdoors, the Duval Trail System is for you. Every time I complete the trail system, I feel very accomplished, but also pretty tired. Especially on the Green trail, I am always excited to see new wildlife. On the particular day I went, I saw a great blue heron hunting on the banks of the pond, and a bunch of turkeys while I was on the Blue trail. This is what the Duval Trail is all about. I feel like it is the best trail in the area, not only because of the variety of flora and fauna but also because of the length of the trails and the wonderful selection of trails to choose from. I like how there is a trail for every level of hiker, especially because there are no mountains nearby. If you want to be challenged a little bit, doing every trail in the system will make your legs feel tired. Furthermore, the Duval Trail is unique because you can combine several trails to meet a specific mileage. Other trails usually have a single option, so the opportunity to hit a bunch of trails in one stop is unlike any of the other trails in South Kingstown. Additionally, I think the Duval Trail has the most interesting features. The trails are winding and have more to offer than just a flat loop. On your hike, you may also find a little treasure painted by South County Rocks, offering an incentive to enhance your painted rock collection if you have one, or begin one if you have not. Overall, the Duval Trail System makes you feel satisfied and at peace. The sound of the birds and the rustling vegetation makes the trail enjoyable for all levels of hikers.