Beth Lapin

Amazing views from the top of the tower, stretching from New Hampshire to Long Island Sound. Four miles of trails provide an opportunity for hiking, in addition to the vista.

EMERGENCY BURN BAN IN AFFECT AS OF 10/29/24

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

Field Forest, owned by Connecticut Forest and Park Association (the group responsible for maintaining all the CT Blue Trails), covers a diverse set of habitats. One of its most interesting spring features are its vernal pools.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://www.cttrailfinder.com/trails/trail/field-forest-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.

Photo: Matt, Explore CT

Black Pond, at the base of the trap rock ridge that forms Higby Mountain, provides a trail head that connects to the Mattabesett Trail and continues south. Hike to the overlook or continue as long as you wish.

Descriptions, maps, and directions: https://explorect.org/black-pond/

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 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.