The Nutmeg State is truly beautiful. Did you know that about 60 percent of Connecticut is forested? Along with all that forest comes some incredible opportunities for hiking. We might be biased, but we think some of the very best hikes on Earth are right here in Connecticut. Check out a few of our favorite trails in Connecticut:
- Little Pond Boardwalk Trail: Whites Wood Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759
Amber Mancini/Google Maps This is one of our favorite beginner trails in Connecticut. It’s only about 1.2 miles and includes river crossings and pond views. You’ll likely see tons of wildlife and it’s such a scenic trek. Little Pond Boardwalk Trail, Whites Wood Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759, USA
- Sleeping Giant Tower Trail in Sleeping Giant State Park: 200 Mt Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT 06518
Kristian Vik/Alltrails The Sleeping Giant Tower Trail is another that proves a trail doesn’t have to be difficult to be worth the effort. This 3.2-mile round trip trail has very gradual elevation gain. The views from Mount Carmel are stunning! 200 Mt Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT 06518, USA
- Roxbury Mines Trail at Mine Hill Preserve: Roxbury, CT 06783
Cynthia Geremia/Alltrails Mine Hill Preserve encompasses land that was once an area that was used for mining and ore processing. Granite, iron, and quartz were all mined here, and you can still see the remains of many of the structures that were used to process the minerals. The mines have been closed for more than a century, but you can still see many of the mine shafts from the surface on the Roxbury Mine Trail. Mine Hill Preserve, Roxbury, CT 06783, USA
- Mount Frissell Trail At Mount Washington State Forest
Jeremy Shimko/Alltrails Most of Mount Frissell actually sits in Massachusetts, but you can access the trailhead from Connecticut, so we will claim it as a Nutmeg State trail. The out-and-back trail has some amazing bird’s eye views. It’s about 2.3 miles in total up to the amazing lookout point. These are some of the best views in Connecticut! Mount Washington State Forest, Mt Washington State Forest, Mt Washington, MA 01230, USA
- Vista and Devil’s Oven Trail at Devil’s Hopyard State Park: 366 Hopyard Rd, East Haddam, CT 06423
Bryan Laudano/Alltrails This kid-friendly trail is not too difficult and will show off some of the best views in the scenic Devil’s Hopyard State Park. You’ll see forests, rock formations, a waterfall, and more. Devil’s Hopyard State Park, 366 Hopyard Rd, East Haddam, CT 06423, USA
- Wadsworth Falls Loop at Wadsworth Falls State Park: 721 Wadsworth St, Middletown, CT 06457
Abe Romo/Alltrails The Wadsworth Falls Loop is an easy 3.6-mile loop trail that will show off parts of the lovely Wadworth Falls State Park. You’ll get to see two waterfalls, plus some old train tracks and several foot bridges. This is another hike that’s great for kids. Wadsworth Falls State Park, 721 Wadsworth St, Middletown, CT 06457, USA
How many of these great trails in Connecticut have you checked out? Any you think need to be added? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Amber Mancini/Google Maps
This is one of our favorite beginner trails in Connecticut. It’s only about 1.2 miles and includes river crossings and pond views. You’ll likely see tons of wildlife and it’s such a scenic trek.
Little Pond Boardwalk Trail, Whites Wood Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759, USA
Kristian Vik/Alltrails
The Sleeping Giant Tower Trail is another that proves a trail doesn’t have to be difficult to be worth the effort. This 3.2-mile round trip trail has very gradual elevation gain. The views from Mount Carmel are stunning!
200 Mt Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT 06518, USA
Cynthia Geremia/Alltrails
Mine Hill Preserve encompasses land that was once an area that was used for mining and ore processing. Granite, iron, and quartz were all mined here, and you can still see the remains of many of the structures that were used to process the minerals. The mines have been closed for more than a century, but you can still see many of the mine shafts from the surface on the Roxbury Mine Trail.
Mine Hill Preserve, Roxbury, CT 06783, USA
Jeremy Shimko/Alltrails
Most of Mount Frissell actually sits in Massachusetts, but you can access the trailhead from Connecticut, so we will claim it as a Nutmeg State trail. The out-and-back trail has some amazing bird’s eye views. It’s about 2.3 miles in total up to the amazing lookout point. These are some of the best views in Connecticut!
Mount Washington State Forest, Mt Washington State Forest, Mt Washington, MA 01230, USA
Bryan Laudano/Alltrails
This kid-friendly trail is not too difficult and will show off some of the best views in the scenic Devil’s Hopyard State Park. You’ll see forests, rock formations, a waterfall, and more.
Devil’s Hopyard State Park, 366 Hopyard Rd, East Haddam, CT 06423, USA
Abe Romo/Alltrails
The Wadsworth Falls Loop is an easy 3.6-mile loop trail that will show off parts of the lovely Wadworth Falls State Park. You’ll get to see two waterfalls, plus some old train tracks and several foot bridges. This is another hike that’s great for kids.
Wadsworth Falls State Park, 721 Wadsworth St, Middletown, CT 06457, USA
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