Augusta Nature Education Center Trails

With its quaint wooden signs and wide, shaded paths, this trail network feels like "hobbit land," yet with fewer people. Like Vaughan Woods, it promises a waterfall, but perhaps due to climate change or the dry summer, the sign points to a pond.

Through the #3 trailhead behind the Capital Area Tech Center next to Cony High School, we'll do the loop shown in red on this trail map (Witch Hazel through Jordan Farm trails). Both feature a few steep sections, but if we prefer -- because every trail interconnects -- we can choose our own adventure.

The "running track" also has some grassy parts that have been mowed recently.

If we're up to it, afterward, we can go for lunch or a snack nearby.

Length: Two miles or about 45 minutes round trip at a moderate pace.

Where we'll meet: In the parking lot beside/behind the brick Capital Area Tech Center next to Cony High School; if you're facing the school, the building is on the left. We can meet at the more visible trailhead #2 off the parking lot, but we'll take the #3 trail accessible beyond the edge of the lot and the sheds/garages (pictured).

If you use GPS, set it for "Parking for the Augusta Nature Ed. Center," "August Nature Education Center Trailhead #2," or the Capital Area Tech Center.