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Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve Trail Guide

Beechwood Trail Map. Click to enlarge
Beechwood Trail Map. Click to enlarge.


Beechwood's five miles of trails wind through several representative habitats of southwestern Pennsylvania: hardwood forest, pine forest, meadow, and pond. Which one will you take? Trail walking times are based on a fit adult walking at a brisk pace.


Spring Hollow

This trail passes through a variety of habitats - hardwood forest, stream hollow, pond, meadow - where you will see plants native to the Ohio Valley. Stop by the treehouse for a bird's eye view of the forest. With easy walking in all weather, this is a good trail for families.
Walking Time: 45 minutes (.45 mile)


Upper Fields

The Upper Fields trail connects the lower meadow by the nature center to the upper meadow on the hill. It passes through an edge habitat between the meadow and forest - often a good place to see birds. This is a great place to see lightning bugs on a warm summer evening.
Walking Time: 15 minutes (.20 mile)


Goldenrod

Named for the flowers that paint the area gold in autumn, Goldenrod passes from field to forest amidst grasses, berry bushes, shrubs and young trees. Look for galls on Goldenrod stems.
Walking Time: 20 minutes (.14 mile)


Toddler

Short, hilly trail connecting Spring Hollow Walk to the top of Oak Forest Trail by the pond.
Walking Time: 10 - 15minutes (.11 mile)


Oak Forest

See the ecosystem of a young, regenerating forest, which was once home to hay fields and farm worker's homes. At the top of the hill, look for large mature oak trees. This is a slightly bumpy and hilly trail.
Walking Time: 20 minutes (.53 mile)


Violet

Narrow and steep in places, Violet leads over the damp floor of a mixed hardwood forest on the hillside above a stream. Look for tracks in the mud.
Walking Time: 10 - 15 minutes (.13 mile)


Woodland

Narrow, steep and shady. Large snags, once huge mature oaks, are now home to a variety of insects, birds, and mammals. Virginia Creeper and grapevines weave throughout the branches, while ferns and other green plants grow on the forest floor. Your nose will clue you in to the pine stand.
Walking Time: 30 minutes (.51 mile)


Meadowview

Hilly, but well maintained, Meadowview passes through fields, thickets and the tip of a pine stand.
Walking Time: 40 minutes (.41 mile)


Pine Hollow

Pine Hollow is the longest and most rigorous trail at Beechwood. Narrow and hilly, it branches off Meadowview to wind through fields, a shady forest of mixed hardwoods and conifers, and an old pine plantation. Listen to the wind in the pines.
Walking Time: 1 hour (.91 mile)


Trails are open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, free of charge.

To help us keep Beechwood a special place, please: