Living in Connecticut means never running out of things to do and beautiful nature that you can enjoy for years. One of the healthiest things you can do is get outdoors for some exercise and commune with nature. Here are the 12 best hikes in Connecticut, one for each month of the year. These adventures come highly recommended and will be places you’ll remember for years to come.
- January - Soapstone Mountain
alltrails/Rose Dionne The Soapstone Mountain Trail is a 2.1-mile trail located in Somers. This trail is good for all experience levels with many different areas to see. You can even snowshoe your way through this trail. Come and see why the Soapstone Mountain Trail is one of the best hikes in Connecticut!
- February - Kent Falls Trail
alltrails/Dephne Welsh
alltrails/Chrissy Lewis This picturesque trail is located in the town of Kent in the Litchfield Hills region of the southern Berkshires. This simple trail takes you up to the beautiful Kent Falls and a spectacular view. It can get a little muddy and slippery due to ice, so make sure you have sturdy shoes and take your time. Read our full article about hiking in Kent Falls State Park to learn more!
- March - Steep Rock Preserve
alltrails/David Gusitsch
alltrails/Michael Stern
alltrails/Michael Stern Located outside of Washington, Steep Rock Preserve has loop trails that will have you coming back to see something new every time. If this is your first or tenth hike, you’ll want to explore the Railroad Tunnel.
- April - Case Mountain
alltrails/ Michael Lebo
alltrails/Tom Hart Located in Manchester, Case Mountain is home to 640 acres of panoramic scenery, as well as a pond and plenty of interconnected trails to adventure on. Don’t skip over this trail! Case Mountain is a wonderful place to explore.
- May - Judges Cave
alltrails/Lena Smith Parker
alltrails/Tabitha Nolen
alltrails/Velvet Claud Located outside of New Haven, This 1.8-mile trail is a moderate out-and-back trail with a slight incline. You’ll have fun with a little cave exploration. Plus, Judges Cave is full of fascinating history!
- June - Peoples State Forest
alltrails/Dennis Collins
alltrails/Ricardo/Luis Taboada/DeJesus
alltrails/Janet Bumstead People’s State Forest in Barkamsted has a variety of trails for all skill levels ranging from 2.9 miles to 7 miles with altitude ranges from 439 to 1108 feet above sea level. You’ll find many beautiful wildflowers among the trails during the spring and summer months. Visit the website for Peoples State Forest to learn more!
- July - Mount Tom
alltrails/Lynn Sheeran
alltrails/Lynn Sheeran Located just outside of New Preston, the Mount Tom Tower Trail is a 1.3-mile moderate trail that leads to Mount Tom Tower. The views from the tower are gorgeous!
- August - Mount Higby
alltrails/Doug Hockman
alltrails/Amy Dills Located outside of Meriden, the Blue Trail through Tynan Park is a less-traveled way up Mount Higby. This 5.3-mile, up-and-back trail is worth the view.
- September - Burr Pond
alltrails/ Hubert van der Harst
alltrails/ Hubert van der Harst
alltrails/JohannaFernandez The Burr Pond White Trail is located near Torrington and is a 2-mile trail with light traffic. This hike features waterfalls and beautiful fall foliage
- October - Haystack
alltrails/Dana Vogel
alltrails/Iisa Horsfall
alltrails/Robert Rickman Located near Norfolk, this 1.8-mile hike to the Haystack Tower makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale. The forest trail is accessible for all skill levels. The Haystack Tower Loop should not be missed!
- November - Roaring Brook Falls
alltrails/Dave Castaldi
alltrails/Angela Persan
alltrails/Chris Chris Ryan Located outside of Cheshire, Roaring Brook Falls is a moderately steep 1.8-mile hike. Be sure to orient yourself as you embark on this trail, as the trail isn’t always clearly marked.
- December - King Phillip Cave (Talcott Mountain State Park)
alltrails/ Laughing Forest
alltrails/Shack Tiffany
alltrails/Shack Tiffany Located near West Hartford in Talcott Mountain State Park, King Phillip Cave is an 8.6-mile moderate loop with some elevation gain. Pay a visit to the Hublein Tower for some spectacular views.
Make this a year of personal goals and new adventures. What do you think are the best hikes in Connecticut? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
alltrails/Rose Dionne
The Soapstone Mountain Trail is a 2.1-mile trail located in Somers. This trail is good for all experience levels with many different areas to see. You can even snowshoe your way through this trail. Come and see why the Soapstone Mountain Trail is one of the best hikes in Connecticut!
alltrails/Dephne Welsh
alltrails/Chrissy Lewis
This picturesque trail is located in the town of Kent in the Litchfield Hills region of the southern Berkshires. This simple trail takes you up to the beautiful Kent Falls and a spectacular view. It can get a little muddy and slippery due to ice, so make sure you have sturdy shoes and take your time. Read our full article about hiking in Kent Falls State Park to learn more!
alltrails/David Gusitsch
alltrails/Michael Stern
Located outside of Washington, Steep Rock Preserve has loop trails that will have you coming back to see something new every time. If this is your first or tenth hike, you’ll want to explore the Railroad Tunnel.
alltrails/ Michael Lebo
alltrails/Tom Hart
Located in Manchester, Case Mountain is home to 640 acres of panoramic scenery, as well as a pond and plenty of interconnected trails to adventure on. Don’t skip over this trail! Case Mountain is a wonderful place to explore.
alltrails/Lena Smith Parker
alltrails/Tabitha Nolen
alltrails/Velvet Claud
Located outside of New Haven, This 1.8-mile trail is a moderate out-and-back trail with a slight incline. You’ll have fun with a little cave exploration. Plus, Judges Cave is full of fascinating history!
alltrails/Dennis Collins
alltrails/Ricardo/Luis Taboada/DeJesus
alltrails/Janet Bumstead
People’s State Forest in Barkamsted has a variety of trails for all skill levels ranging from 2.9 miles to 7 miles with altitude ranges from 439 to 1108 feet above sea level. You’ll find many beautiful wildflowers among the trails during the spring and summer months. Visit the website for Peoples State Forest to learn more!
alltrails/Lynn Sheeran
Located just outside of New Preston, the Mount Tom Tower Trail is a 1.3-mile moderate trail that leads to Mount Tom Tower. The views from the tower are gorgeous!
alltrails/Doug Hockman
alltrails/Amy Dills
Located outside of Meriden, the Blue Trail through Tynan Park is a less-traveled way up Mount Higby. This 5.3-mile, up-and-back trail is worth the view.
alltrails/ Hubert van der Harst
alltrails/JohannaFernandez
The Burr Pond White Trail is located near Torrington and is a 2-mile trail with light traffic. This hike features waterfalls and beautiful fall foliage
alltrails/Dana Vogel
alltrails/Iisa Horsfall
alltrails/Robert Rickman
Located near Norfolk, this 1.8-mile hike to the Haystack Tower makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale. The forest trail is accessible for all skill levels. The Haystack Tower Loop should not be missed!
alltrails/Dave Castaldi
alltrails/Angela Persan
alltrails/Chris Chris Ryan
Located outside of Cheshire, Roaring Brook Falls is a moderately steep 1.8-mile hike. Be sure to orient yourself as you embark on this trail, as the trail isn’t always clearly marked.
alltrails/ Laughing Forest
alltrails/Shack Tiffany
Located near West Hartford in Talcott Mountain State Park, King Phillip Cave is an 8.6-mile moderate loop with some elevation gain. Pay a visit to the Hublein Tower for some spectacular views.
Special thanks to the wonderful people from the Connecticut Wonderful Facebook group for sharing their most loved hiking recommendations.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Soapstone Mountain, Somers, CT 06071, USAAddress: Kent Falls State Park, 462 Kent Cornwall Rd, Kent, CT 06757, USAAddress: Steep Rock Preserve, 2 Tunnel Rd, Washington Depot, CT 06794, USAAddress: Case Mountain Trail, Manchester, CT 06040, USAAddress: Judges Cave, New Haven, CT 06515, USAAddress: Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted, CT 06063, USAAddress: Mt Tom, Washington, CT 06794, USAAddress: Higby Mountain, Middlefield, CT 06455, USAAddress: Burr Pond, Torrington, CT 06790, USAAddress: Haystack Mountain, Norfolk Historic District, CT 06058, USAAddress: Roaring Brook Falls, 827 Roaring Brook Rd, Cheshire, CT 06410, USAAddress: Talcott Mountain, Avon, CT 06001, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Connecticut March 09, 2022 Elisa Regulski What are the best outdoor adventures in Connecticut? One of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors is to search for ‘hiking trails near me.’ Lucky for you, Connecticut is full of amazing parks and pathways. For example, Bluff Point State Park is a lovely peninsula that sits along the Long Island Sound, and it’s home to 800 acres of pristine beauty. Check out these easy hikes in Connecticut for more ideas! And for even more fun, explore the Thimble Islands near Branford. This archipelago consists of about 100 small islands and only a few people live there. Cruise around the islands and keep your eyes out for wildlife. It’s one of the best ways to explore Connecticut! What are the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut? Don’t hire a babysitter! Bring the kiddos along for the adventure. There are so many kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut that are beautiful and easy. Take the family to Stratton Brook State Park and meander around the lovely scenery. Make sure to walk through the covered bridge! It’s the perfect photo opportunity. For more fun, hike around Lake Mohegan in Fairfield. Here, you’ll find gorgeous waterfalls, babbling brooks, and woodland landscapes. These views will really wash away your worries! If you need more ideas, check out our full list of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Connecticut
March 09, 2022
Elisa Regulski
What are the best outdoor adventures in Connecticut? One of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors is to search for ‘hiking trails near me.’ Lucky for you, Connecticut is full of amazing parks and pathways. For example, Bluff Point State Park is a lovely peninsula that sits along the Long Island Sound, and it’s home to 800 acres of pristine beauty. Check out these easy hikes in Connecticut for more ideas! And for even more fun, explore the Thimble Islands near Branford. This archipelago consists of about 100 small islands and only a few people live there. Cruise around the islands and keep your eyes out for wildlife. It’s one of the best ways to explore Connecticut! What are the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut? Don’t hire a babysitter! Bring the kiddos along for the adventure. There are so many kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut that are beautiful and easy. Take the family to Stratton Brook State Park and meander around the lovely scenery. Make sure to walk through the covered bridge! It’s the perfect photo opportunity. For more fun, hike around Lake Mohegan in Fairfield. Here, you’ll find gorgeous waterfalls, babbling brooks, and woodland landscapes. These views will really wash away your worries! If you need more ideas, check out our full list of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
One of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors is to search for ‘hiking trails near me.’ Lucky for you, Connecticut is full of amazing parks and pathways. For example, Bluff Point State Park is a lovely peninsula that sits along the Long Island Sound, and it’s home to 800 acres of pristine beauty. Check out these easy hikes in Connecticut for more ideas! And for even more fun, explore the Thimble Islands near Branford. This archipelago consists of about 100 small islands and only a few people live there. Cruise around the islands and keep your eyes out for wildlife. It’s one of the best ways to explore Connecticut!
What are the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut?
Don’t hire a babysitter! Bring the kiddos along for the adventure. There are so many kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut that are beautiful and easy. Take the family to Stratton Brook State Park and meander around the lovely scenery. Make sure to walk through the covered bridge! It’s the perfect photo opportunity. For more fun, hike around Lake Mohegan in Fairfield. Here, you’ll find gorgeous waterfalls, babbling brooks, and woodland landscapes. These views will really wash away your worries! If you need more ideas, check out our full list of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut.
