Olivia's Forest

Lower Bridge at Olivia's Forest, April 16th, 2021

It's one of the smallest trail systems of any Land Trust lands -- and yet also one of the sweetest. With just 31 acres of land and .68 miles of blazed trails, it's pretty easy to walk the whole thing in 20-30 minutes -- but I'd advise you to to take longer -- or, if you're a fast walker or a trail runner, go 'round the orange trail loop more than once -- there's much to repay your time and attention here.

Situated between Ridge Road and Cross Street in Smithfield, the land centers on a small stream that flows into the Woonasquatucket River near the old Georgiaville Mill. A green-blazed trail from Ridge Road will take you to the orange loop; since the loop is also part of the white trail, a bull's eye blaze of orange within white is the mark you'll follow on the trees. I recommend starting to your right if you've come from Ridge Road; your path with take you down a brief stony decline to the upper of the two river bridges. Cross and continue, climbing back out of the creek valley to a rounded hill with a stand of mature pine trees. 

As you continue, you'd descend a rocky cart path, coming to the spot where white goes off to your right. Following this, you'll come to a parting of the ways: white heads left, while an unblazed trail (shown as black on the trail map) continues down  and meets up with the end of Shamrock Lane; continue down the lane (more of a driveway than a lane) and you'll arrive at Cross street.

If you follow white, you'll go back once more to the stream, a rough crossing, and come out at the lower bridge where the orange trail crosses. If you continue on the orange loop, you'll come to the bridge first, and see white going off to the right on the far side. The white trail is a little rough and tricky to follow, but it definitely adds a little something to your experience of the woods. And, speaking of adding something, the trails offer an educational bonus: as part of an Eagle Scout project by John Fontaine of Troop 1 Georgiaville, interpretive signs on posts identify many of the trees you see. The signs are placed atop sturdy wooden posts, and at a good height so that both children and adults can see them.

Cemetery on Ridge Road

If you're looking to extend your walk, you can continue to your right after reaching Cross Street; you'll pass along a narrow road and come to a steel footbridge on your left that crosses the Woonasquatucket; ascending Stillwater Road you'll arrive at Georgiaville Pond. There, you can go out on the town beach (there's an excellent new interpretive sign at the edge of the parking area there), along the pond dam and have a peek at the stony rapids near where the Woonasquatucket flows from the pond, then return by taking a left on Higgins and another left on Whipple. Or, if you're coming the other way and arriving at Ridge Road, there's a lovely walk to be had to your left, passing historic homes and cemeteries on the left-hand side of the road, and a small farm where llamas are being raised on your right. Further along on the left, at the Mowry Barn, you can cross over and return.