When it comes to gorgeous views, there is certainly no shortage in Connecticut! This picturesque state offers plenty of sights, from mountain overlooks to pristine forest paths. If you’re hoping to explore the best hikes in Connecticut, you’re in luck! We’ve explored the most astounding places in the Nutmeg state, and these 10 easy walking trails never disappoint.

  1. Giant Steps Trail (New Haven)

Flickr/Jack Parrott Located in East Rock Park, this 20-minute trail is actually just a stone staircase carved into a large hill. A monument awaits you at the top, along with spectacular views of New Haven. If you’re eager to learn more about the Giant Steps Trail in Connecticut, check out our featured article! East Rock, New Haven, CT, USA

  1. Airline State Park Trail (Thompson)

kenneth casper/Flickr At 6.6 miles, this is the shortest section of the trail, which is actually over 50 miles in length. With the tree canopies, brooks, marshes and more, every leg of this trail is worth visiting. You really can’t go wrong on the Airline State Park Trail. Airline Trail, East Hampton, CT, USA

  1. Hancock Brook Trail (Waterbury)

H. Morrow Long/Wikimedia You’ll be surprised by just how many sights there are on this 2.8-mile trail. The short walk includes a roaring brook, the remnants of an old bridge, and a quarry! Trust us, you’ll want to explore the Hancock Brook Trail over and over again. Hancock Brook, Waterbury, CT 06704, USA

  1. Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail (South Meriden)

Mary B./Yelp A little more than a mile in length, this easy linear trail follows the bed of the old Connecticut River Railroad. So it doesn’t get more waterfront than this! Add the Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail to your bucket list immediately! Quinnipiac River, Connecticut, USA

  1. Bear Mountain (Salisbury)

Thien N./Yelp The Undermountain Trail runs 6 miles and features an easy well kept trail through forest with small hills. This one’s great for a picnic break! You’ll find this picturesque trail inside Mount Riga State Park. Mount Riga State Park, Undermountain Trailhead Parking Area, Under Mountain Rd, Salisbury, CT 06068, USA

  1. Little Pond Trail (White Memorial Conservation Center)

Jonathan S/TripAdvisor Only 1.2 miles in length, this boardwalk trail weaves through marshland and around a lake. No difficult terrain and no uphill battles! The Little Pond Trail is also one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut! White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759, USA

  1. Westwoods Land Trust (Guilford)

phoca2004/Flickr Stop by this place if you like getting lost in nature! The Yellow Circle Trail is nice and quiet, especially during sunrise and sunset. The light through the trees is like a fairy tale scene. The Westwoods Land Trust is definitely a hidden gem. 582 Dunk Rock Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, USA

  1. Devil’s Den (Weston)

Mr B./Yelp The preserve trail loop is 5.2 miles long, but because of the way trails intersect here, your walk can be as long or as short as you want. Definitely bring bug spray on this one! Devil’s Den may sound spooky, but trust us – it’s stunning. Devil’s Den Preserve, 33 Pent Rd, Weston, CT 06883, USA

  1. Moosup Valley State Park Trail (Moosup)

Morrowlong/Wikimedia Walk by this lovely dam in Plainfield and follow alongside a rail bed on this 6-mile trail. There are various terrains, but this one is mostly rural. Not many know about Moosup Valley State Park, but it’s one of the best places to go hiking in Connecticut! Plainville, CT 06062, USA

  1. Appalachian Trail (Bull’s Bridge to Kent)

Morrow Long/Flickr The extensive Appalachian Trail system is mostly for experts, but this but this 7.6-mile section in Kent is definitely doable! It will take you to the top of Schaghticoke Mountain, crossing the New York border twice, for some pretty sweet views. Bulls Bridge, Kent, CT 06785, USA

Have you explored any of the best hikes in Connecticut? If so, we want to know all about your adventure! Share photos of your trip with us on Instagram @onlyinconnecticut to have them featured.

Flickr/Jack Parrott

Located in East Rock Park, this 20-minute trail is actually just a stone staircase carved into a large hill. A monument awaits you at the top, along with spectacular views of New Haven. If you’re eager to learn more about the Giant Steps Trail in Connecticut, check out our featured article!

East Rock, New Haven, CT, USA

kenneth casper/Flickr

At 6.6 miles, this is the shortest section of the trail, which is actually over 50 miles in length. With the tree canopies, brooks, marshes and more, every leg of this trail is worth visiting. You really can’t go wrong on the Airline State Park Trail.

Airline Trail, East Hampton, CT, USA

H. Morrow Long/Wikimedia

You’ll be surprised by just how many sights there are on this 2.8-mile trail. The short walk includes a roaring brook, the remnants of an old bridge, and a quarry! Trust us, you’ll want to explore the Hancock Brook Trail over and over again.

Hancock Brook, Waterbury, CT 06704, USA

Mary B./Yelp

A little more than a mile in length, this easy linear trail follows the bed of the old Connecticut River Railroad. So it doesn’t get more waterfront than this! Add the Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail to your bucket list immediately!

Quinnipiac River, Connecticut, USA

Thien N./Yelp

The Undermountain Trail runs 6 miles and features an easy well kept trail through forest with small hills. This one’s great for a picnic break! You’ll find this picturesque trail inside Mount Riga State Park.

Mount Riga State Park, Undermountain Trailhead Parking Area, Under Mountain Rd, Salisbury, CT 06068, USA

Jonathan S/TripAdvisor

Only 1.2 miles in length, this boardwalk trail weaves through marshland and around a lake. No difficult terrain and no uphill battles! The Little Pond Trail is also one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut!

White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759, USA

phoca2004/Flickr

Stop by this place if you like getting lost in nature! The Yellow Circle Trail is nice and quiet, especially during sunrise and sunset. The light through the trees is like a fairy tale scene. The Westwoods Land Trust is definitely a hidden gem.

582 Dunk Rock Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, USA

Mr B./Yelp

The preserve trail loop is 5.2 miles long, but because of the way trails intersect here, your walk can be as long or as short as you want. Definitely bring bug spray on this one! Devil’s Den may sound spooky, but trust us – it’s stunning.

Devil’s Den Preserve, 33 Pent Rd, Weston, CT 06883, USA

Morrowlong/Wikimedia

Walk by this lovely dam in Plainfield and follow alongside a rail bed on this 6-mile trail. There are various terrains, but this one is mostly rural. Not many know about Moosup Valley State Park, but it’s one of the best places to go hiking in Connecticut!

Plainville, CT 06062, USA

Morrow Long/Flickr

The extensive Appalachian Trail system is mostly for experts, but this but this 7.6-mile section in Kent is definitely doable! It will take you to the top of Schaghticoke Mountain, crossing the New York border twice, for some pretty sweet views.

Bulls Bridge, Kent, CT 06785, USA

Of course, the fun never stops in the Nutmeg state. For more gorgeous views, check out these short waterfall hikes in Connecticut.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Connecticut March 01, 2022 Elisa Regulski What are the best waterfall hikes in Connecticut? There are so many spectacular waterfall hikes in Connecticut. One of our favorites is definitely the hike to Indian Well Falls in Shelton. The walk will only take you about five minutes to complete, and at the end, you’ll get an up-close view of a 15-foot waterfall! This is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut. What hikes in Connecticut are short and sweet? The Gillette Castle Railroad Trail, located in East Haddam, is one of the best easy hikes in Connecticut. This hike may be short and sweet, but it’s packed with unique views. Explore what used to be Gillette’s miniature railroad, walk over a charming footbridge, and traverse through an abandoned tunnel. The fun never stops! The Wheels In The Woods Trail, located in Stamford, is another great choice. This accessible boardwalk trail runs through a picturesque forest, and it’s full of relaxing views. For even more excitement, check out these eight simple hikes in Connecticut.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in Connecticut

March 01, 2022

Elisa Regulski

What are the best waterfall hikes in Connecticut? There are so many spectacular waterfall hikes in Connecticut. One of our favorites is definitely the hike to Indian Well Falls in Shelton. The walk will only take you about five minutes to complete, and at the end, you’ll get an up-close view of a 15-foot waterfall! This is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut. What hikes in Connecticut are short and sweet? The Gillette Castle Railroad Trail, located in East Haddam, is one of the best easy hikes in Connecticut. This hike may be short and sweet, but it’s packed with unique views. Explore what used to be Gillette’s miniature railroad, walk over a charming footbridge, and traverse through an abandoned tunnel. The fun never stops! The Wheels In The Woods Trail, located in Stamford, is another great choice. This accessible boardwalk trail runs through a picturesque forest, and it’s full of relaxing views. For even more excitement, check out these eight simple hikes in Connecticut.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are so many spectacular waterfall hikes in Connecticut. One of our favorites is definitely the hike to Indian Well Falls in Shelton. The walk will only take you about five minutes to complete, and at the end, you’ll get an up-close view of a 15-foot waterfall! This is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Connecticut.

What hikes in Connecticut are short and sweet?

The Gillette Castle Railroad Trail, located in East Haddam, is one of the best easy hikes in Connecticut. This hike may be short and sweet, but it’s packed with unique views. Explore what used to be Gillette’s miniature railroad, walk over a charming footbridge, and traverse through an abandoned tunnel. The fun never stops! The Wheels In The Woods Trail, located in Stamford, is another great choice. This accessible boardwalk trail runs through a picturesque forest, and it’s full of relaxing views. For even more excitement, check out these eight simple hikes in Connecticut.