HomeConnecticutLyme › Banningwood Preserve

Banningwood Preserve

5 ★★★★★ 13 Google reviews · Running trail in Lyme, Connecticut · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Banningwood Preserve yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicHillyMile markers

What runners say about Banningwood Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (13 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“peepers in a vernal pool and a beautiful overlook toward the end of the trail.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“Trail was well marked and fun.”

Great area to explore on an easy trail to look at a beautiful Preserve. There is a stream that will run through the preserve. I did not find the abandoned car which was shown in the picture.Overall it's a pleasant in decent hike.

★★★★★ — Joan , Jun 2024

Great place for a trail walk. We found an old car in the woods, very cool!! Trail was well marked and fun. Highly recommend this hike!!!!

★★★★★ — Robert , Jan 2023

I was here today to look for a geocache. However, got sidetracked and obviously passed the GZ. There was a paper map which I took with but didn’t look closely. The red trail is about 1 mile loop. It starts out quite hilly if you start with last numbers. Don’t do that - 1 would be best if you want easier. Well marked.

★★★★★ — Mary , Sep 2025

Great trails to walk the dog with some beautiful views and great finds. Little streams and rivers that allow for the dog to cool off. Great place to check out if your in the area and up for a nice hike.

★★★★★ — Chris , Jul 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 13 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“peepers in a vernal pool and a beautiful overlook toward the end of the trail.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 4 mentions

“Beautiful hiking, some steep climbing areas, but not anything too bad.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“Trail was well marked and fun.”

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Plan your run at Banningwood Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Where to find Banningwood Preserve

Lyme, Connecticut

Get directions

Running trails near Lyme

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Pleasant Valley Preserve

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Chestnut Hill Preserve

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Devil's Hopyard State Park

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LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

860 acres of rocky forest, crisscrossed by hiking trails & highlighted by 60-ft.-high Chapman Falls.

5.0 miles away

Hartman Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 72 reviews

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ScenicDog-friendly

Wooded park featuring a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails, plus scenic views and a fairy garden.

6.0 miles away

Beebe Trail

4.3 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews

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Loop

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Cockaponset State Forest

4.6 ★★★★★ 558 reviews

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Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Connecticut's second largest state forest, with many trails for hiking, mountain biking & skiing.

6.6 miles away

All running trails in Lyme, CT →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.