HomeConnecticutMadison › Rettich Preserve - Madison Land Trust

Rettich Preserve - Madison Land Trust

4.7 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · Running trail in Madison, Connecticut · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Rettich Preserve - Madison Land Trust's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. 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.

Open 24hScenicDog-friendly

Preserve featuring a riverside walk, a former farm and lawns for outdoor concerts.

What runners say about Rettich Preserve - Madison Land Trust

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (35 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“Beautiful preserve donated to the town of Madison by the Rettich Family.”

The Riddick preserve is a former working farm that was donated to the Madison Land trust upon the passing of its owner. It runs along the hammonasset River with some of its buildings still preserved intact. There are several trails that are used for recreation and dog walking. Really a beautiful property

★★★★★ — Blue , Apr 2022

A wonderful place to visit, walk mowed paths through lush hay fields,wander rolling hills down to the Hammonassette River. Some woods to explore and a nice picnic area near the limited parking lot. No Facilities, No Boat Launching, Beware of Ticks!

★★★★★ — Gregor , Jun 2018

Beautiful preserve donated to the town of Madison by the Rettich Family. Run completely by volunteers and by donation. About a 45 walk through rolling fields along the river. Time stands still in the fields of this property. A truly special place. Dogs must be on leash.

★★★★★ — Claire , Jun 2022

A beautiful Madison Land Trust property. They aren't kidding when they call it their crown jewel. It is a former farm that still has some of the buildings, a meadow, flowers, and it adjoins the Hammonasset River. If you just want a walk that is about one mile in length and closer to the center of town, this is it.

★★★★★ — Roseann , Jul 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 35 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 10 mentions

“Beautiful preserve donated to the town of Madison by the Rettich Family.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“There are several trails that are used for recreation and dog walking.”

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Plan your run at Rettich Preserve - Madison Land Trust

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitemadisonlandtrust.org

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Rettich Preserve - Madison Land Trust

249-295 River Rd, Madison, CT 06443

Get directions

Running trails near Madison

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

Shoreline Greenway Trail Head

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Hammonasset Beach State Park

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1.4 miMixedScenicDog-friendly

Popular destination features a 2-mile-long beach with a boardwalk, boat launch & 550 campsites.

1.4 miles away

Kenilworth Forest

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Hammonasset Natural Area Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,401 reviews

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Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

2.0 miles away

The Elliot Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

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2.1 miles away

Meigs Point Nature Center

4.7 ★★★★★ 247 reviews

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Scenic

Long-running, family-friendly environmental learning center at Hammonasset Beach State Park.

2.5 miles away

All running trails in Madison, 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.