Take a hike: Best spots to hike and walk in Southern Connecticut

By Carol A. Mihelik

on May 28, 2020 10:01 AM

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and rocky White Trail. Please have a map. The 1.5 mile-Tower Trail/Road takes you to a stone observation tower.

www.sgpa.org
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Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and
... more
Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media
Mianus River Park, Greenwich and Stamford

This 991-acre nature preserve offers a wide variety of hikes of all distances. The yellow loop, 4.5 miles, takes you along the Mianus River.

www.friendsofmianusriverpark.org
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Mianus River Park, Greenwich and Stamford

This 991-acre nature preserve offers a wide variety of hikes of all distances. The yellow loop, 4.5 miles, takes you along the Mianus River.
... more
Photo: Tyler Sizemore, Hearst Connecticut Media
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The Ives Trail and Greenway including Tarrywile Park, Danbury

The Ives Trail meanders 20 miles from Redding up through Bethel and Danbury to Bennett’s Pond in Ridgefield. With so much to see hike along one of the sections, no need to do it all in one hike. Just this spring I hiked along Tarrywile’s wide and well-used trails and got an expansive view of Danbury from the Mootry Peak Lookout. The yellow trail to the view was steep and strenuous but there are easier hikes to be found with walks through fields and gentler woodlands.

www.westcog.org/ives-trail-greenway
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The Ives Trail and Greenway including Tarrywile Park, Danbury

The Ives Trail meanders 20 miles from Redding up through Bethel and Danbury to Bennett’s Pond in Ridgefield. With so much to see hike along
... more
Photo: Carol Kaliff / Carol Kaliff
Lake Zoar Trail, Lower Paugussett Sate Forest, Newtown

The whole blue-trail loop, 6.5 miles, may be too much for beginners but a good option is to follow the trail from the parking lot on Great Quarter Road to Prydden Falls, 1.6 miles. Even though the trail follows the shoreline it does have ups and down, and some rocky bits. The Falls can be found by taking a short but steep side trail down to the shore. It is a perfect place to have lunch or snack. See the CT DEEP site for a detailed map.
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Lake Zoar Trail, Lower Paugussett Sate Forest, Newtown

The whole blue-trail loop, 6.5 miles, may be too much for beginners but a good option is to follow the trail from the parking lot on Great Quarter
... more
Photo: Autumn Driscoll
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Connecticut Audubon Centers in Connecticut

For families and anyone who wants to learn more about birds and wildlife. The Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary in Fairfield and Audubon Greenwich are just a few. Other locations to learn about nature and take short walks are the New Canaan Nature Center, Stamford Museum and Nature Center, and the Ansonia Nature Center & Recreation Center.

www.ctaudubon.org
http://greenwich.audubon.org
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Connecticut Audubon Centers in Connecticut

For families and anyone who wants to learn more about birds and wildlife. The Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary in Fairfield and Audubon Greenwich are just
... more
Photo: Brian A. Pounds
Devils Den Preserve, Weston and Redding

This Nature Conservancy, 1,700 acre preserve, offers 20 miles of trails for all ages and the opportunity to view a wide variety of wildflowers and terrain. For a map and more details.

www.nature.org
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Devils Den Preserve, Weston and Redding

This Nature Conservancy, 1,700 acre preserve, offers 20 miles of trails for all ages and the opportunity to view a wide variety of wildflowers and terrain. For a map
... more
Photo: Brian A. Pounds
Item-85307.129749 -
Kettletown Park, Oxford

Located on the north shore of Lake Zoar, Kettletown offers hikes for all abilities and various loop hikes in addition to swimming, fishing and camping. From the Crest and Miller trails there are impressive views overlooking Lake Zoar. Along both trails are also charcoal hearth sites. For more information and map visit the CT DEEP site. A short distance away is Southford Falls State Park.
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Kettletown Park, Oxford

Located on the north shore of Lake Zoar, Kettletown offers hikes for all abilities and various loop hikes in addition to swimming, fishing and camping. From the Crest and Miller
... more
Photo: Carol Kaliff, Hearst Connecticut Media
Lillinonah Trail and Al’s Trail, Newtown

A portion of the Lillinonah loop trail in Upper Paugussett State Forest is part of the Al’s Trail Greenway in Newtown. I have hiked the loop trail and sections can be strenuous but the water views are worth the effort. For the blue-blazed Lillinonah loop, visit the CT DEEP site for a detailed map. Visit www.alstrail.org for Al’s trail history and trail maps for sections that go through Rocky Glen State Park and encircle McLaughlin Vineyards.
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Lillinonah Trail and Al’s Trail, Newtown

A portion of the Lillinonah loop trail in Upper Paugussett State Forest is part of the Al’s Trail Greenway in Newtown. I have hiked the loop trail and sections
... more
Photo: File Photo
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Paugussett Trail, Shelton and Monroe

This 13.5-mile blue trail has grown over the years and now reaches from Buddington Road, in Shelton to East Village Road in Monroe, passing through Shelton Lakes, and continuing through Indian Well State Park and onwards through Webb Mountain Park and beyond. There is some street walking but for the most part it is through the woods.

www.ctwoodlands.org
www.sheltontrailscom.blogspot.com
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Paugussett Trail, Shelton and Monroe

This 13.5-mile blue trail has grown over the years and now reaches from Buddington Road, in Shelton to East Village Road in Monroe, passing through Shelton Lakes, and
... more
Photo: Tyler Sizemore
Pequonnock River Valley, Trumbull

This Park is wedged between Rt. 25 and the Pequonnock River and continues up to Wolf and Old Mine parks. The trails can be confusing because of all the mountain bike trails but it’s easy to follow the blue trail that for the most part follows the river shore. See the old earthen dam and walk through the area that used to be covered by a reservoir. The walk along the river is cool, even in summer. For non-residents of Monroe or Trumbull, park at the commuter parking lot on Park Street, off of Daniels Farm Road, Exit 9, Route 25. Walk to the end of road to start the hike. There is a small stream crossing at the beginning of the hike.

On the other side of the river, and visible from the blue trail is the Pequonnock River Trail, which is a greenway, mutil-use trail that extends from Bridgeport to Newtown.

www.vizettes.com/pequonnockvalley/maps
www.pequonnockrivertrail.org
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Pequonnock River Valley, Trumbull

This Park is wedged between Rt. 25 and the Pequonnock River and continues up to Wolf and Old Mine parks. The trails can be confusing because of all the mountain bike
... more
Photo: Brian A. Pounds
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Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

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Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and rocky White Trail. Please have a map. The 1.5 mile-Tower Trail/Road takes you to a stone observation tower.

www.sgpa.org

less

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and

... more

Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

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Take a hike: Best spots to hike and walk in Southern Connecticut

By Carol A. Mihelik

on May 28, 2020 10:01 AM

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and rocky White Trail. Please have a map. The 1.5 mile-Tower Trail/Road takes you to a stone observation tower. www.sgpa.org

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and

Mianus River Park, Greenwich and Stamford

This 991-acre nature preserve offers a wide variety of hikes of all distances. The yellow loop, 4.5 miles, takes you along the Mianus River. www.friendsofmianusriverpark.org

Mianus River Park, Greenwich and Stamford

This 991-acre nature preserve offers a wide variety of hikes of all distances. The yellow loop, 4.5 miles, takes you along the Mianus River.

The Ives Trail and Greenway including Tarrywile Park, Danbury

The Ives Trail and Greenway including Tarrywile Park, Danbury

The Ives Trail meanders 20 miles from Redding up through Bethel and Danbury to Bennett’s Pond in Ridgefield. With so much to see hike along

Lake Zoar Trail, Lower Paugussett Sate Forest, Newtown

Lake Zoar Trail, Lower Paugussett Sate Forest, Newtown

The whole blue-trail loop, 6.5 miles, may be too much for beginners but a good option is to follow the trail from the parking lot on Great Quarter

Connecticut Audubon Centers in Connecticut

Connecticut Audubon Centers in Connecticut

For families and anyone who wants to learn more about birds and wildlife. The Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary in Fairfield and Audubon Greenwich are just

Devils Den Preserve, Weston and Redding

This Nature Conservancy, 1,700 acre preserve, offers 20 miles of trails for all ages and the opportunity to view a wide variety of wildflowers and terrain. For a map and more details.www.nature.org

Devils Den Preserve, Weston and Redding

This Nature Conservancy, 1,700 acre preserve, offers 20 miles of trails for all ages and the opportunity to view a wide variety of wildflowers and terrain. For a map

Kettletown Park, Oxford

Kettletown Park, Oxford

Located on the north shore of Lake Zoar, Kettletown offers hikes for all abilities and various loop hikes in addition to swimming, fishing and camping. From the Crest and Miller

Lillinonah Trail and Al’s Trail, Newtown

Lillinonah Trail and Al’s Trail, Newtown

A portion of the Lillinonah loop trail in Upper Paugussett State Forest is part of the Al’s Trail Greenway in Newtown. I have hiked the loop trail and sections

Paugussett Trail, Shelton and Monroe

Paugussett Trail, Shelton and Monroe

This 13.5-mile blue trail has grown over the years and now reaches from Buddington Road, in Shelton to East Village Road in Monroe, passing through Shelton Lakes, and

Pequonnock River Valley, Trumbull

Pequonnock River Valley, Trumbull

This Park is wedged between Rt. 25 and the Pequonnock River and continues up to Wolf and Old Mine parks. The trails can be confusing because of all the mountain bike

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and rocky White Trail. Please have a map. The 1.5 mile-Tower Trail/Road takes you to a stone observation tower. www.sgpa.org

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and rocky White Trail. Please have a map. The 1.5 mile-Tower Trail/Road takes you to a stone observation tower.

www.sgpa.org

This 991-acre nature preserve offers a wide variety of hikes of all distances. The yellow loop, 4.5 miles, takes you along the Mianus River.

www.friendsofmianusriverpark.org

This Nature Conservancy, 1,700 acre preserve, offers 20 miles of trails for all ages and the opportunity to view a wide variety of wildflowers and terrain. For a map and more details.

www.nature.org

This very popular park offers views of New Haven and Long Island Sound. It also has many trails that crisscross the park, from the easier green trail to the difficult and rocky White Trail. Please have a map. The 1.5 mile-Tower Trail/Road takes you to a stone observation tower.

www.sgpa.org