The snow has melted in Connecticut and the weather is sunny and bright! It’s time to come out of your winter hibernation to take a hike. These nine simple spring hikes will give you a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery without working up too much of a sweat. From easy waterfront paths to meandering woodland trails, there’s something for everyone on this list. These are some of the best hikes in Connecticut.
- Nepaug Dam Trail, Collinsville
Google Images/Leon Getchell The Nepaug Dam Trail is a one-mile round trip journey across the top of the dam. Enjoy the water views as you stroll this flat paved path that is perfect for all ages and abilities. To learn more about this exhilarating spring hike, read our full article about the Nepaug Dam Trail. Nepaug Dam, 1-125 Litchfield Turnpike, New Hartford, CT 06057, USA
- Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
TripAdvisor/DanaL49 Many visit Hammonasset Beach for a dip in the sound or a walk on the beach but this shoreline gem also has lovely trails. The crushed stone surface makes for an easy-breezy spring walk behind the dunes. Hammonasset Beach State Park is the largest beach in Connecticut, and it belongs on everyone’s bucket list. Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443, USA
- Southford Falls State Park, Southbury
AllTrails/Paul Tonelli The Red Loop Trail at Southford Falls State Park has abundant spring scenery to enjoy. At just 1.7 miles in length, you’ll get a fantastic excursion for little effort. Cross a covered bridge, wander through the woods, and pass babbling brooks. Climb the observation tower and visit the falls all in one simple hike. Southford Falls State Park, 175 Quaker Farms Rd, Southbury, CT 06488, USA
- Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail, Windsor Locks
TrailLink/caverron Follow the historic towpath alongside this 170-year-old waterway. The canal trail runs for 4.5 miles and offers scenic views of the Connecticut River and the old canal. The paved path makes for easy walking and biking. Come see why the Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail is one of the best hikes in Connecticut! Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail (Windsor Locks Canal Towpath), Suffield, CT, USA
- Michael Donnelly Preserve Trail, South Windsor
AllTrails/Jamison Wolsh Enjoy the lush greenery emerging on this 2.5-mile wetland walk at the Michael Donnelly Preserve. The charming boardwalk makes for easy strolling through the marsh. Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve, 1165 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor, CT 06074, USA
- Campbell Falls State Park, Norfolk
AllTrails/Daniel Sablotny This 0.75-mile hike through the quiet forest of Campbell Falls State Park takes you north to a stunning 50-foot waterfall. The falls are across the Massachusetts border but both states protect the falls and park in a joint agreement. With the spring thaw and rainy weather, the falls are at their best in the spring. Campbell Falls State Park, Old, Spaulding Rd, Norfolk Historic District, CT 06058, USA
- Bluff Point State Park, Groton
AllTrails/Christopher Smith Combine a journey through the forest with a stroll along the seaside at Bluff Point State Park. This diverse area encompasses all sorts of scenery along with fresh shoreline breezes. The Coastal Reserve Trail is a 3.6-mile loop that’s fantastic year-round. Bluff Point State Park, 55 Depot Rd, Groton, CT 06340, USA
- Trolley Trail, Branford
AllTrails/David Orrell This short and sweet trail is just over one mile. Cross through the marsh with endless opportunities to catch sight of wildlife and continue on to soak in magnificent shoreline views. There’s nothing quite like the Trolley Trail in Branford, Connecticut. Branford Trolley Trail, Branford, CT 06405, USA
- Bailey’s Ravine at Ayer Gap, North Franklin
AllTrails/Bruce Caisse This 2.7-mile scenic trail will take you through beautiful woodland. Enjoy the peaceful trip through the forest and you’ll land at a gurgling waterfall. You’ll definitely want to bring your camera to capture this significant natural wonder. Bailey’s Ravine at Ayer Gap never ceases to amaze visitors. Bailey’s Ravine Trailhead, 291 Pond Rd, North Franklin, CT 06254, USA
What other simple spring hikes do you enjoy taking? What do you think are the best hikes in Connecticut? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Google Images/Leon Getchell
The Nepaug Dam Trail is a one-mile round trip journey across the top of the dam. Enjoy the water views as you stroll this flat paved path that is perfect for all ages and abilities. To learn more about this exhilarating spring hike, read our full article about the Nepaug Dam Trail.
Nepaug Dam, 1-125 Litchfield Turnpike, New Hartford, CT 06057, USA
TripAdvisor/DanaL49
Many visit Hammonasset Beach for a dip in the sound or a walk on the beach but this shoreline gem also has lovely trails. The crushed stone surface makes for an easy-breezy spring walk behind the dunes. Hammonasset Beach State Park is the largest beach in Connecticut, and it belongs on everyone’s bucket list.
Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443, USA
AllTrails/Paul Tonelli
The Red Loop Trail at Southford Falls State Park has abundant spring scenery to enjoy. At just 1.7 miles in length, you’ll get a fantastic excursion for little effort. Cross a covered bridge, wander through the woods, and pass babbling brooks. Climb the observation tower and visit the falls all in one simple hike.
Southford Falls State Park, 175 Quaker Farms Rd, Southbury, CT 06488, USA
TrailLink/caverron
Follow the historic towpath alongside this 170-year-old waterway. The canal trail runs for 4.5 miles and offers scenic views of the Connecticut River and the old canal. The paved path makes for easy walking and biking. Come see why the Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail is one of the best hikes in Connecticut!
Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail (Windsor Locks Canal Towpath), Suffield, CT, USA
AllTrails/Jamison Wolsh
Enjoy the lush greenery emerging on this 2.5-mile wetland walk at the Michael Donnelly Preserve. The charming boardwalk makes for easy strolling through the marsh.
Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve, 1165 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor, CT 06074, USA
AllTrails/Daniel Sablotny
This 0.75-mile hike through the quiet forest of Campbell Falls State Park takes you north to a stunning 50-foot waterfall. The falls are across the Massachusetts border but both states protect the falls and park in a joint agreement. With the spring thaw and rainy weather, the falls are at their best in the spring.
Campbell Falls State Park, Old, Spaulding Rd, Norfolk Historic District, CT 06058, USA
AllTrails/Christopher Smith
Combine a journey through the forest with a stroll along the seaside at Bluff Point State Park. This diverse area encompasses all sorts of scenery along with fresh shoreline breezes. The Coastal Reserve Trail is a 3.6-mile loop that’s fantastic year-round.
Bluff Point State Park, 55 Depot Rd, Groton, CT 06340, USA
AllTrails/David Orrell
This short and sweet trail is just over one mile. Cross through the marsh with endless opportunities to catch sight of wildlife and continue on to soak in magnificent shoreline views. There’s nothing quite like the Trolley Trail in Branford, Connecticut.
Branford Trolley Trail, Branford, CT 06405, USA
AllTrails/Bruce Caisse
This 2.7-mile scenic trail will take you through beautiful woodland. Enjoy the peaceful trip through the forest and you’ll land at a gurgling waterfall. You’ll definitely want to bring your camera to capture this significant natural wonder. Bailey’s Ravine at Ayer Gap never ceases to amaze visitors.
Bailey’s Ravine Trailhead, 291 Pond Rd, North Franklin, CT 06254, USA
If you have an adventurous spirit, you’ll love embarking on this treetop trail in Connecticut where you can walk through a tree canopy.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Connecticut March 10, 2022 Elisa Regulski What are the most picturesque hiking trails in Connecticut? Journey to the town of Thompson and explore the Airline State Park Trail, which is one of the most beautiful hikes in Connecticut! At 6.6-miles long, this hike has plenty to offer. You’ll see gorgeous tree canopies, babbling brooks, and lovely marshes. Looking for more? Add the Hancock Brook Trail to your bucket list. This trail, located in Waterbury, spans 2.8 miles and has so much to offer. You’ll love the historic quarry and old ruins! Which hikes in Connecticut are short and sweet? There are so many easy hikes in Connecticut. The Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail, located in South Meriden, should not be missed. Because it’s so easy to follow, we also named it one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut. The gorgeous waterfront views will completely relax you. For more ideas, check out our list of the best easy hikes in Connecticut. What are the best beaches in Connecticut? There are so many wonderful beach hikes in Connecticut, and Hammonasset Beach State Park is no exception. Located in Madison, this is the longest beach in Connecticut. For even more fun, visit Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme. Need more ideas? Check out our list of the best beach hikes in Connecticut.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Connecticut
March 10, 2022
Elisa Regulski
What are the most picturesque hiking trails in Connecticut? Journey to the town of Thompson and explore the Airline State Park Trail, which is one of the most beautiful hikes in Connecticut! At 6.6-miles long, this hike has plenty to offer. You’ll see gorgeous tree canopies, babbling brooks, and lovely marshes. Looking for more? Add the Hancock Brook Trail to your bucket list. This trail, located in Waterbury, spans 2.8 miles and has so much to offer. You’ll love the historic quarry and old ruins! Which hikes in Connecticut are short and sweet? There are so many easy hikes in Connecticut. The Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail, located in South Meriden, should not be missed. Because it’s so easy to follow, we also named it one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut. The gorgeous waterfront views will completely relax you. For more ideas, check out our list of the best easy hikes in Connecticut. What are the best beaches in Connecticut? There are so many wonderful beach hikes in Connecticut, and Hammonasset Beach State Park is no exception. Located in Madison, this is the longest beach in Connecticut. For even more fun, visit Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme. Need more ideas? Check out our list of the best beach hikes in Connecticut.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Journey to the town of Thompson and explore the Airline State Park Trail, which is one of the most beautiful hikes in Connecticut! At 6.6-miles long, this hike has plenty to offer. You’ll see gorgeous tree canopies, babbling brooks, and lovely marshes. Looking for more? Add the Hancock Brook Trail to your bucket list. This trail, located in Waterbury, spans 2.8 miles and has so much to offer. You’ll love the historic quarry and old ruins!
Which hikes in Connecticut are short and sweet?
There are so many easy hikes in Connecticut. The Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail, located in South Meriden, should not be missed. Because it’s so easy to follow, we also named it one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut. The gorgeous waterfront views will completely relax you. For more ideas, check out our list of the best easy hikes in Connecticut.
What are the best beaches in Connecticut?
There are so many wonderful beach hikes in Connecticut, and Hammonasset Beach State Park is no exception. Located in Madison, this is the longest beach in Connecticut. For even more fun, visit Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme. Need more ideas? Check out our list of the best beach hikes in Connecticut.
