Armstrong and Richards Preserves

Begin at the Armstrong or Richards trailheads, both part of a connected network managed by the Pound Ridge Land Conservancy. This route begins at in the Armstrong Preserve and offers access to a mix of meadow and forest trails, with the Yellow Trail acting as the main connector. Within a short distance, turn onto he White and Blue Loops to explore the area’s distinctive Fordham Gneiss outcrops, including Turtle Rock and the cliffside boardwalk overlooking a seasonal vernal pool. After rejoining the Yellow Trail, continue southeast into Richards Preserve, where trails wind through a shaded hemlock forest and pass a large glacial erratic and an old stone well. This section also offers filtered views toward the Cross River Reservoir from above former hayfields. The full route offers varied terrain across two preserves, with gentle elevation changes, intermittent streams, and a few short climbs around boulder features and ledges. This is a solid option for short day hikes near Pound Ridge that combine geology, forest ecology, and quiet woodland paths.