Community Corner

Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

The latest trek to a Hidden Gem is a hike around a wildlife sanctuary.

The South Windsor Wildlife Sanctuary.
The South Windsor Wildlife Sanctuary. (Chris Dehnel/Patch)

SOUTH WINDSOR — The latest journey to a Hidden Gem in Hartford and Tolland counties takes us to a vast, quiet tract of land in South Windsor.

It's the South Windsor Wildlife Sanctuary off Niederwerfer Road.

The sanctuary features miles of passive recreation pathways. The trails are relatively flat — gently undulating at worst — and easily navigable. Clearings offer spectacular panoramic views reaching into Hartford and beyond.

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The sanctuary was dedicated in 1980 in Honor of Frank and Alice Niederwerfer. The Niederwerfers were longtime local farmers and advocates for preserving open space. The road is named after the family as well.

(Chris Dehnel/Patch)

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.Other columns in this series:

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