Team Effort

How 29 volunteers made our new Clary Hill trails in Goshen worth visiting again and again

Volunteer Dave Weber puts the finishing touch on one of several stone stairways on the Ledges Trail.

Two and a half miles of new loop trails at Clary Hill in Goshen will open to the public on April 27th, 2025 thanks to a widespread volunteer effort.

The Sofinowski family bequeathed the 132 forested acres to HLT in 2023, specifying that the land be opened to the public for hiking and recreation. The new trails link Williamsburg’s Briar Hill trails with the DAR State Forest.

“The trail network features a flower-filled meadow, former pastures, rocky outcrops, lush wetlands, and many forest types, including a gorgeous oak-hickory glade with a carpet of sedge,” said HLT TerraCorps member Mariel Hohmann.

A volunteer labor of love

Nearly thirty volunteers from the Williamsburg Woodland Trails Committee, UMass, Ashfield Trails, and HLT spent a combined seven hundred hours building the trails.

“From design, to building bridges, hauling rocks, cutting a treadway with heavy tools, everything about these trails was volunteer-led,” said Mariel, who coordinated volunteer efforts.

Boardwalks will keep hikers’ feet dry through wet areas, courtesy of volunteers from the Williamsburg Woodland Trails Committee, Ashfield Trails, and more.

Thoughtfully designed for all seasons

Dave Weber of Williamsburg Woodland Trails poured roughly five hundred hours into designing and building trails at Clary Hill, including the several stonework features. Drawing on his background in sustainable landscape design, Dave helped plan a network of durable trails that will withstand foot traffic and erosion while offering hikers a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

“The project intrigued me because there haven’t been many opportunities for Williamsburg Woodland Trails to make brand new trails,” said Dave, who scouted the land with HLT for nine months prior to beginning trail work. “It’s not often the case that designs get to take many seasons into consideration and let that inform the design. From bushwhacking through the woods, to flagging of the proposed trail, to in-depth construction, it’s gratifying to be part of all phases of a project.”

L: UMass Amherst students. R: Williamsburg Woodland Trails.

Leaving room for wildlife

Clary Hill is HLT’s third new public trail in recent years. The land trust seeks to balance public recreation with other responsible land stewardship practices.

“We came to a good balance of where not to put trails,” said Dave, who is eager for potential future trail connections while leaving room for wildlife. “There are places left outside of the human pathway. It’s one of the reasons why we see wildlife sign out there all the time. They seem to love the place as much as we do.”

Mariel and Sally installing wildlife habitat signage.

Support for stewardship of Clary Hill comes in part from a major anonymous grant, matched by donations from HLT members.

“Thanks to our donors, we can confidently take on the long-term care responsibilities of a place like Clary Hill,” said HLT Executive Director Sally Loomis.

“Walking at Clary Hill is a journey through a varied landscape that changes with every season,” said Mariel. “I hope that people experience something new every time they visit.”

Join us for a hike!