Beth Lapin

A large state park, Gay City offers an assortment of trails, water crossing, and a popular fishing area. The interior parking lot is closed in winter, but an adequate one close to trailheads is located along the park road past the seasonal entrance.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://ctparks.com/parks/gay-city-state-park

REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!

HIKING HINTS is a program of the MIDDLETOWN CT REC office. Follow them on Facebook.

With an easy one-mile trail that can be extended if desired, this preserve protects watersheds and provides healthy bird habitat.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://madisonlandtrust.org/trails/summer-hill-preserve/

REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!

HIKING HINTS is a program of the MIDDLETOWN CT REC office. Follow them on Facebook.

Hidden Valley Farm Preserve is a small, easily walked preserve protected by the East Haddam Land Trust. Fishing access to the Moodus River increases the interest of this 45-acre site.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.easthaddam.org/trail-maps

REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!

HIKING HINTS is a program of the MIDDLETOWN CT REC office. Follow them on Facebook.

Pistol Creek, an abandoned golf course, provides an array of paved trails that can be followed to include a shorter hike or longer, more challenging one, although none of it is difficult. The northern section is in Berlin, while most of the remainder is in Middletown.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.bikeitorhikeit.org/pistol_creek_paths.htm; https://www.berlinct.gov/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item;id=258

REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!

HIKING HINTS is a program of the MIDDLETOWN CT REC office. Follow them on Facebook.