Mystic Country

Beginning at the historic Colchester Town Green, travel west on Route 16. Make a right onto Cato Corner Rd; along this road you will see a beautiful vista at Skyview Drive. Continue following Cato Corner Road, passing Cato Corner Farm on your right, producers of over a dozen hand-made aged farmhouse cheeses from raw cows’ milk. The farm’s Cheese Room Shop is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10-3. At the end of this road, make a right onto Route 149 and then a quick left onto River Road. This winding country road brings you through beautiful wooded countryside. You will approach an entrance to Salmon River State Park on your left. You can choose to take a detour here to drive through the park (it is a unpaved road) and pick up the remainder of the driving tour on the other side of the park. Along this drive through the park you will have access to the Air Line Trail (if you’d like to stretch your legs and go for a hike) and beautiful views of the lazy Salmon River.

If you chose to stay on the original route continue on River Road, past the Salmon River Park entrance, this road will turn into South Road. You will enjoy sweeping views of the countryside. Turn left onto Bull Hill Rd, a quiet residential road that winds up and down a hill. At the top of the hill there will be beautiful vistas. As you start your decent down the other side of Bull Hill you will find yourself driving through Salmon River State Park - there will be a parking area where you can access the Air Line Trail.

At the bottom of the hill the road you are traveling on will turn back into River Road (this is where the detour through the park joins back up with the tour). Follow this road as it winds along Salmon River, turning into Comstock Bridge Road. Just before the end of this road you will see the Comstock Covered Bridge on your left. Built in 1873, this bridge is a well-preserved example of the Howe truss, an innovative design patented in 1840 (the bridge is currently under-going another restoration).

At the end of Comstock Bridge Road turn left onto Route 16, travel about a half-mile and take a right onto Waterhole Rd, which will turn into Trowbridge Rd. At the end of the road make a left onto Rte 149 (a State designated Scenic Road) and travel for approximately 4 miles to make a left onto Shailor Hill Rd (you will see a blue CT Wine Trail sign). End your tour at Priam Vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting while looking out over sweeping views of the countryside.

Distance: 18 miles

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