Beth Lapin

The McKinney NWR Salt Meadow unit houses the refuge’s headquarters and offers a tranquil trail down to the banks of Menunketesuck River. Interesting historical features and excellent birding opportunities will entertain at this site.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/stewart-b-mckinney/visit-us/locations/stewart-b-mckinney-national-wildlife-refuge-headquarters—salt-meadow-unit

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.

Owned by the Middlesex Land Trust, this fifty-acre parcel overlooks the Connecticut River in Haddam Neck. Trails run along both the ridge and the base of dramatic cliffs and show signs of the old quarry.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://middlesexlandtrust.org/wordpress/?page_id=1147

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 Nature Conservancy preserve of 93 acres includes brackish tidal marshes and a mile long trail that provides views of South Cove.  Leashed dogs are being allowed on a one-year trial basis.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/turtle-creek-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.

This family-friendly 80-acre preserve includes a 25-foot waterfall! Enjoy the sights or follow the loop trails around for a more substantial (although not difficult) 1.5-mile hike.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.theoutbound.com/connecticut/hiking/hike-to-blackledge-falls

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.

Chatfield Hollow, a 412-acre wonderland, boasts 18 miles of trail, an easy to find covered bridge and water wheel, plus caves and a lot of history.

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

Cotton Hollow Nature Preserve, owned by the Town of Glastonbury, encompasses Roaring Brook. There are two trails less than a mile in length: one at each end of the property following the creek. It includes ruins of old mills from as early as 1814.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.glastonburyct.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/112/180

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.

Cockaponset SF is one of the state’s largest,  comprised of several sections scattered around Chester and Haddam. This multi-use property boasts a number of trails and recreational options. The one recommended here starts at Pattaconk Lake, which is busy on weekends. Park at the southern end of Pattaconk Lake and take the trails clockwise around the lake. Parking is free for CT-registered vehicles.

Descriptions, maps (Southern section Haddam/Chester), and directions: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/state-parks/forests/cockaponset-state-forest

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 150+-acre preserve provides moderate to strenuous hiking. Mid-June is mountain laurel blossom time and Renee Smith has included this site, along with a few others, in her informative blog.

Descriptions, maps, and directions:https://www.oldlymelandtrust.org/upper-three-mile-river

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 300-acre preserve, located in Essex and Deep River, has multiple trails to cover the diversity of habitats included at this site. Trails are well-marked but tend to wind around each other, so be sure to take a copy/photo of the map. Overall preserve and trail information is available here: canfieldmeadow_map_description_062021.pdf (essexct.gov)

Descriptions, maps, and directions to the Deep River Entrance:  https://rockfallfoundation.org/off-the-beaten-path-canfield-meadow-woods/

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.

The almost 1,500+ acres of Sleeping Giant SP provide a wide range of hiking opportunities. In fact, that might be overwhelming! Try the Nature Trail that begins at the park entrance parking lot. This area is rich with views and history.

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