Beth Lapin

At 300+ acres and nine miles of trails, this preserve offers hkers a number of options. The website includes several resources, including a family scavenger hunt and report on cultural resources.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.lymelandtrust.org/properties/

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.

PENWOOD STATE PARK, BLOOMFIELD CT

This 800-acre park has multiple trails that can be joined to provide a loop through the park. The Metacomet Trail also traverses the area north-south and has numerous scenic vistas.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://ctparks.com/parks/penwood-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.

A series of short trails cover this 50-acre park that hugs the Connecticut River and protects part of Holland Brook.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.glastonburyct.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/70/180

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.

A multi-preserve and trail complex that includes almost 500 acres and more than 6 miles of trails, this area covers woodlands, wetlands, and a lovely overlook of Selden Creek.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.lymelandtrust.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Hadlyme-Hills-SeldRavBHWEB081022.pdf

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.

This 132-acre preserve of the Killingworth Land Trust has a variety of trails, all well marked.

This month (March) the Sugarhouse is open for tours and hard working volunteers are doing a variety of jobs while syrup is boiling away. Syrup sale starting Saturday 3/8/25 at 10am.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://parmeleefarm.org/trails/

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.

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.

Starting at the cul-de-sac on Cream Pot Road in Durham, moderate trails travel south along the ridge and through the woodlands. Two trails, the Mattabesett and Mica Ledges, run parallel with cross trails connecting them, to provide a loop trail if desired. A shorter hike to one of the overlooks and return provides another option.

With current snow cover, consider bringing poles and/or micro spikes/snow treads.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://madisonlandtrust.org/trails/mica-ledges-trail/

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.