Nature’s soundtrack – crickets chirping, birds singing, and the slight rustling of the leaves – accompanied us as we ventured deeper into the woods at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Pennsylvania, a sprawling natural area that promises the chance to unplug and de-stress. The longer we walked, the more peaceful our surroundings, an idyllic way to spend a warm, sunny autumn afternoon. This wasn’t our – my daughter's and my – first time here; the nature reserve has become a sanctuary, a place to escape from life's noise.

Our previous visit to Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve was in late March before the color returned to the landscape, and the trees were bare, the ground muddy, and the sky gray. I’d been impatient for spring's arrival and hoped to see the leaves on the trees and the green landscape. This time, however, Mother Nature delivered in a big way with some of the trees painted in fall colors, already-fallen leaves lining the trails, and the sun glittering off the pond.

One thing I’ve noticed each time we visit is the quiet. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, a 134-acre hidden gem with five miles of hiking trails, sits along a quiet, winding road in Fox Chapel. The parking lot was nearly full when we arrived later in the afternoon, but you’d never know so many people were exploring. We’d hear occasional voices as we passed other hikers or kids playing by the pond, but otherwise, all we heard were crickets, birds, and the rustling of leaves.

We walked down the hill, next to the parking lot, that leads to the trails and were greeted by a cranky goose who honked as we snapped a few photos. While we’ve seen the geese on our visits, we’ve never seen ducks on the nearby pond, although they’re said to hang around. A pavilion with a few picnic tables and benches overlooks the small pond where koi swim past lily pads.   

Since we weren’t in a hurry, we strolled around until I saw a path leading into the woods. We took it. The predominately dirt trail sat above a small gorge, with fallen tree limbs, foliage, and some trickling water. We passed shrubs filled with ripe red berries, climbed wooden stairs, walked over wooden footbridges, and marveled at huge tree roots. Several tiny waterfalls tumbled into a stream. A squirrel ran through the fallen leaves, and a chipmunk poked his head out of a hollowed log, stopped for a photo, and scurried off.

The nine trails at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve are all short and sweet, with the longest, Pine Hollow, tallying just .91 of a mile. While I’m not sure which trail we followed into the woods (we didn’t see a sign), we also strolled along the .14-mile Goldenrod Trail, which had a few benches offering beautiful pond views.

If you go: The upper parking lot is off of Dorseyville Road. Handicap parking is available down a paved road by the parking lot. Go down the hill, and you’ll see the several spaces to your right. A nature center and Audubon Nature Store sit right by the upper parking lot.

Sturdy shoes are a good idea if going on the trails. While the paths are easy, the terrain has some rocky patches and tree roots jutting up from the ground.

Find more information on Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on the official website of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, or stop by the Facebook page of this Audubon Society in Western Pennsylvania.

Do you know of any other hidden gems like Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve? Share them with us. If you’re hungry after exploring, head to Baja Bar & Grill, a riverfront restaurant in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania. Don’t forget to explore more of the best hiking trails in Pennsylvania. Find a comprehensive list on All Trails.