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| The Sleeping Giant and West Rock Ridge are visible from South Mountain in Meriden, framed by beautiful fall colors in Nov. 2016. |
I like to visit a variety of places because get bored by doing the same hike over and over. Some area I have hiked, I never return because I did not find them to be interesting enough to warrant a second visit.
The recommended places on this page I enjoyed enough that I have returned to them multiple times. These hikes are listed alphabetically by location name, not ranked by my preferences of which I think is a more desirable place to hike.
The description of what makes a location an above-average place to hike can be found on the page Characteristics of a Good Hiking Area: https://westrocktrails.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_20.html
Further down on the page is a newer section labeled Honorable Mention. Any of those hiking areas would provide a pleasant experience, but are not as interesting as those listed at the top. My suggestion would be start with the hikes at the top of the page and once you have hiked all of them, try the other locations. Even though they may lack of some the features of the better hiking area, there is still a level of interest experienced by hiking somewhere you have never hiked.
Scroll down to read the hike information:
- East Rock Park, New Haven
- Giuffrida Park (Chauncey Peak and Lamentation Mountain), Meriden
- Hubbard Park (West Peak, East Peak, and South Mountain), Meriden
- Hancock Brook Trail (Mattatuck State Forest), Waterbury
- Kettletown State Park, Southbury
- Southford Falls State Park, Southbury/Oxford
- Naugatuck State Forest, West Block, Beacon Falls/Oxford/Naugatuck
- Naugatuck State Forest, East Block
- Naugatuck State Forest, Mt. Sanford Block, Hamden/Cheshire
- Naugatuck State Forest, Quillinan Reservoir, Ansonia/Seymour
- Peters Memorial Woods and Jesse Buell Forest, Clinton
- Stony Creek Quarry Preserve, Branford (revised March 2023)
- Timberland Preserve, Guilford
- Westwoods, Guilford
Honorable Mention
- East River Preserve, Eastwoods, and Nut Plains Woods, Guilford
- Osbornedale State Park, Derby
- Peter's Rock Park, North Haven
· Why you should go: East Rock has terrific views of New Haven and New Haven Harbor from the top. There is a stunning view to the north looking at Lake Whitney from the English Shelter. This location also provides a good perspective on West Rock Ridge. The Giant Steps are literally that, a series of large rock steps up the face of East Rock. A metal railing provides security for those with a fear of falling.
· Directions to Wilbur Cross High School: I-91 to Exit 6. Right on Willow St. for 0.2 miles. Right on Mitchell Dr. for 0.4 miles. Right into school. Park in the lot between the tennis courts and the school. There is plenty of parking in the paved lot.
· Map link: The city-created map with the names of the various landmarks is on the page for East Rock Park at https://www.newhavenct.gov/gov/depts/parks/our_parks/east_rock.htmwhile the Regional Council of Government map (with mileage) is at http://scrcog.org/wp-content/uploads/trails/new_haven/alt/RecTrails_NH1_Alt_6-2-16.pdf. My preferred map is the city map due it its detail about the park features, but I recommend bringing along both. The city website also has a link to the website for the Friends of East Rock Park.
· Trail Descriptions: There are many options for hiking, including walking along the paved roads. English Drive from the English Shelter is permanently closed to motor vehicle traffic. Trails have varied terrain, but since the park tops out at about 365 feet, none are steep for very long.
Farnham Drive, the main road to the top, is closed at certain times of year. Check with New Haven Parks, Recreation, and Trees for the schedule.
· Suggested Hike: From Wilbur Cross High School, walk toward East Rock Park on Orange Street to pick up the White Trail along English Drive and the Mill River. Turn right to head south and follow the Yellow Trail across English Drive and up the Giant Steps. At the top of the steps, turn left to enjoy the views from the overlook near the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Continue along the road to the English Shelter and pick up the Yellow Trail and head the northern end of the park.
One option at the northern end is to loop down to the Eli Whitney Museum. From there, you can return on the White Trail along the Mill River. Another option is to take the Red Trail down the east side of the park and loop over Indian Head on the Orange Trail before returning to the high school via a combination of the road and the White Trail. Note that these directions are oversimplified and you really need to pay careful attention to navigation in the park.
· GPS track: This is a 5.2 mile loop around the park’s perimeter: http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/282393839
· Safety concerns: There have been enough personal crime incidents reported in the media over the years that I would recommend going to the park with others, particularly if you are going to more remote areas. I think the main overlook is fine because it is typically busy. I have never had a problem in the times I have visited the park, whether solo or with a group.
I would advise against using the Giant Steps during wet, snowy, and icy conditions. I would also recommend climbing the Giant Steps (rather than descending them). The White Trail offers a suitable alternative to the Giant Steps.
· Special considerations: It is easy to get lost at East Rock, due to a combination of factors. There are many trails and blazes are not always clear. Some trails are not marked, which can add to the confusion. Both the White and the Red Trails have multiple branches, i.e., you are on the White Trail and you come to a junction where White heads off in two different directions.
· This hike is listed on the page Hikes Beyond West Rock: Mattabesett Trail: https://westrocktrails.blogspot.com/p/hikes-beyond-west-rock-mattabesett-trail.html
· Why you should go: West Peak (with the antenna farm) is the highest point in New Haven County at 1,024 feet, and East Peak with Castle Craig (a stone tower) is almost as high at 976 feet. Both have impressive views. South Mountain is lower, but still provides commanding views to the east and south, including Sleeping Giant, West Rock Ridge, Chauncey Peak, and Mount Higby. South Mountain is the best place to see West Peak and East Peak. Hubbard Park was designed with help from Frederick Law Olmsted and his influence can be seen in the brook and bridges at the park.
· Directions: I-691 Exit 4. From I-691 West, turn left on Main St. From I-691 East, turn right on Main St. Go about 1 mile, make a left into the park, and drive around the lake until you see the pool, which is near 35 Mirror Lake Dr. Note that the main driveway at Hubbard Park may be blocked off, so this slightly complicates entry into the park. If the entry is blocked off, then continue past this driveway AND continue past the open driveway that has a “No Left Turn” sign (due to the blind curve). Past the curve, make a left into the small shopping center, turn around in the center’s parking lot, and head back up the hill on West Main Street. Turn right into the secondary driveway and head into the park.
· Map link: https://meridenlandtrust.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/hubbard_quad.pdfor http://scrcog.org/wp-content/uploads/trails/meriden/alt/RecTrails_ME3_Alt_6-2-16.pdf.
· Trail Descriptions: The Blue-Blazed Metacomet Trail climbing to East Peak and West Peak has steep sections with loose trap rock. The White Trail and Yellow Trail are moderately steep woods roads with loose trap rock. The Metacomet Trail along the back of South Mountain is rolling terrain with good footing. The Red Trail and the unblazed trail from the Metacomet Trail to the viewpoints on South Mountain are moderately steep woods roads with loose trap rock, but generally secure footing.
· Suggested Hike: All hikes start and end with walking along Reservoir Ave. (the paved road past the Merrimere Reservoir). Be aware of traffic when the gate to the main parking lot is open. Walk up the road past the right side of the playground as you are facing the highway overpass.
For South Mountain: This 7-mile hike turns right from the road onto the Metacomet Trail by the closed gate to Park Drive (a residential street outside the park). After a short distance, you will see a woods road with faint Red blazes on the right. This woods road leads to an overlook with excellent views to the south and west. Backtrack on the woods road to the Metacomet Trail and continue heading east. Just before the Elmere Reservoir is an unblazed woods road leading to an overlook toward the east. Further up the mountain is a second overlook toward the south. Backtrack to the Metacomet Trail, turning left on the Blue Trail, and left again on Reservoir Ave. to return to the parking lot. You can shorten your hike to about 5.5 miles by skipping the second set of viewpoints.
For West Peak and East Peak: This 7-mile hike turns left onto the White Trail (a wide woods road) at the base of the Merrimere Reservoir. When you reach the large gazebo, turn right on the White Trail to reach the Metacomet Trail. Turn left on the Metacomet Trail to reach East Peak and Castle Craig. If you continue on the Blue Trail past Castle Craig, the trail dips down into a saddle before climbing up to West Peak. Make a U-turn on the Blue Trail when you have gone the distance of your choice. Turning around when you can see houses along the base of the ridge yields the 7-mile distance. On the return, stick to the paved road to connect West Peak to East Peak. From East Peak, taking the Blue Trail north to Reservoir Ave. is challenging due to the uneven footing and loose rocks. You could also walk down the road back to the parking lot.
· GPS track (South Mountain): This is a 7-mile hike to South Mountain, which includes an unmarked trail to reach the Metacomet Trail: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1416178012
(West Peak and East Peak): This is a 7-mile hike to West Peak and East Peak: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/466670723
· Safety concerns: Portions of trails to West Peak and East Peak are steep with lots of loose trap rock, so watch your footing at all times, and consider sticking to the road when conditions are wet or icy.
Hancock Brook Trail (Mattatuck State Forest), Waterbury
· Why you should go: The lower part of the trail parallels Hancock Brook with a series of cascades along the rocky brook, and a waterfall on the bank opposite the trail. The upper part of the trail passes three rocky overlooks, including one called Lion’s Head with views of the Naugatuck River Valley.
· Starting Location/Parking: Park along the road at the end by the cul-de-sac by 290 Sheffield St., Waterbury, across from the entrance gate to the quarry.
· Map link: There is no specific online map for this section of the Mattatuck State Forest or the Hancock Brook Trail. The Hancock Brook Trail may be seen on the CFPA Interactive Trail Map:https://www.ctwoodlands.org/blue-blazed-hiking-trails/blue-blazed-hiking-trails-interactive-map
This link to Open Street Map shows the trails within the Mattatuck State Forest: https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=16/41.6059/-73.0514
· Trail Descriptions: The trail along the brook is a woods road with a slight uphill with some rocky sections, rising only about 100 feet over the 1.4-mile distance. Where the trail turns back on itself to climb the ridge, it becomes a footpath. The climb to the top of the ridge is steep, rising 150 feet in only 0.15 miles. There is a second steady climb with 100 feet of elevation gain from mile 2 to mile 2.25. From this point, the hike is a steady descent back to the start. The last descent back to the flatter part of the trail can be tricky with loose rocks and soil caused by ATV damage.
· Suggested Hike: This 2.8-mile loop with 500 feet of elevation gain covers the entire Hancock Brook Trail. From the end of Sheffield Street, follow the Blue-Blazed Trail past the yellow gate with the quarry fence on your left and the brook on your right. When you enter the woods, stay straight to follow the trail along the brook. The upland section of the loop merges from the left in this area. Shortly past the junction, look for the watefall on the opposite bank of the brook. (Within the woods past this junction, there is also an unblazed lower trail closer to the brook for about 0.2 miles, which abruptly ends at a steep slope back to the main trail). At the end of the ravine, 1.4 miles into the hike, the Blue Trail turns sharply left and ascends the ridge. At 1.8 miles, stop for the view at the rocky outcrop called Lions Head at a modest 660 ft. of elevation. Continue along the trail heading south. At 2.6 miles into the loop, after you have been steadily descending, turn right onto the lower loop to return to Sheffield Street.
· GPS track: This GPS track of the 2.8-mile loop follows the brook first and returns along the top of the ridge. https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/5020170268
· Safety concerns: This trail can be hazardous to hike in winter because the lower portion along the brook is heavily shaded by hemlocks and builds up ice during the winter, and can remain icy well into spring. The ridge section has some descents that are tricky to navigate when conditions are slippery. Even with traction devices, this hike is not the best choice when icy.
· Special considerations: If you are looking for a longer hike, there are other woods road and trails within the forest, some of which link over to the Whitestone Cliffs Trail off the west side of Route 262. The Open Street Map link shows where they are located and where they go. Some may be informally marked, while others are unmarked. Expect steep climbing when crossing over the forest from the Hancock Brook Trail to Spruce Brook Road (Route 262) and when following the woods road west from Route 262 to the Whitestone Cliffs Trail. Also, expect rocky footing from ATV damage. The Mattatuck State Forest is a beautiful place to hike, with its rocks formations, streams, and hemlocks, could really benefit from a trails crew to mark the trails that are not currently Blue-Blazed Trails.
· Why you should go: Kettletown offers a variety of trails along Lake Zoar under the cover of a hemlock forest. Lake Zoar is a section of the Housatonic River, which is formed by the Stevenson Dam. Many loops are possible, so you can customize your hike many different lengths. Elevation changes are moderate, and footing is good throughout the park in all four seasons. The Pomperaug Trail extends beyond the park boundaries through Jackson Cove to Fiddlehead Road in Oxford.
· Starting Location/Parking: Kettletown State Park, 1400 Georges Hill Road, Southbury
· Directions: I-84 Exit 15 to Rt. 67 South for 0.1 mile. Right on Kettletown Rd. for 3.4 miles. Right on Georges Hill Rd. for 0.8 mi. Left into the park. Head straight past the entrance booth for parking on left by the composting toilet about 0.2 miles from the entrance. Kettletown has other parking areas, but this is a centrally-located one for hiking.
· Map link: The full-color state map is available at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Kettletown-State-Park/Maps The trails are managed by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA). Trail information and a map are available in the Connecticut Walk Book (West). The book map in the older editions is slightly outdated because the Blue-White Crest Trail now connects to the Pomperaug Trail, rather than the paved park road. The state map and the newest Walk Book show the correct connection. The older Walk Book map shows the full length of the 4.6-mile long Pomperaug Trail, whereas the state map shows the trail only to Jackson Cove.
· Trail Descriptions: The Pomperaug Trail and the Crest Trail pass over rocky terrain with moderate climbs and descents. The Miller Trail is mostly an old woods road with easy footing. All three trails have occasional lake views, but the views are mostly screened by the trees. The Brook Trail is a gorgeous walk along the rocky cascades of Kettletown Brook.
· Suggested Hike: If you would like to see most of the trails in the park, this 8-mile loop does nearly all of them, with a total of 1,600 feet of climbing. Starting from the parking lot by the composting toilets or the campground, walk up the paved road to the entrance booth, then turn right on the road toward the campground, and then left onto the Blue-Blazed Pomperaug Trail heading south. At the Blue-Yellow Crest Trail, you can continue on the Pomperaug Trail to Jackson Cove, or turn right to stay within the park. If you go to Jackson Cove, you are not permitted to use the beach and facilities at this town-owned park from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but can certainly use the picnic tables off-season. Beyond Jackson Cove, a second option is taking the Pomperaug Trail south and returning on the Blue-White Oxford Loop. Going beyond Jackson Cove is NOT recommended in icy conditions because the steep slopes have poor footing. Whatever your choice of hike, return on the Crest Trail, turn left on the Pomperaug Trail, and cross the paved road to the Yellow-Blazed Brook Trail. This trail ends at the paved road to the youth campground. Turn left up the road to pick up the Blue-Blazed Miller Trail loop, which heads to the right off the road. The Miller Trail is a loop. I recommend hiking it counterclockwise, saving the lookouts off the Blue-Orange Trail for last.
· GPS track: This is the 8-mile loop throughout the entire park with an out-and-back trip to Jackson Cove in Oxford: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/994445492
· Safety concerns: There are no safety concerns within the park, as those trails offer good footing in dry and wet conditions. The Pomperaug Trail and the Oxford Trail south of Jackson Cove are steep and the footing is not the best during icy conditions.
· Special considerations: Kettletown has camping during the warmer months. There is a parking fee between Memorial Day and Labor Day for vehicles without Connecticut plates. During the warmer months, typically May to September, boaters actively use the lake, so you will hear powerboat engines at these times.
Southford Falls State Park, Southbury/Oxford
· Why You Should Go: This compact park packs many features into its 127 acres. Near the entrance is Papermill Pond, formed by a dam on Eightmile Brook. Below the dam is a series of cascades as the brook drops into a ravine before leveling out into a rocky stream. A covered bridge crosses the brook below the dam. On top of the ridge at the southern end of the park is a short fire tower, always an interesting feature to any hike. The surrounding trees are mostly taller than the tower, so the only view (and a limited one at that) is to the west. The trails pass along interesting rock formations through a healthy forest that includes many hemlock trees and has assorted native shrubs in the understory. (The park has an additional 7.5 acres of land on the opposite site of Route 188 at the junction with Diamond Match Road, but there are no trails there or reason to use these parcels.)
· Starting Location/Parking: Meet at the parking lot at 175 Quaker Farms Road (Route 188), Southbury, just south of Hulls Hill Road. The gravel parking lot has room for about 40 cars. The parking lot fills up quickly on weekends in this popular park, so arrive early at peak times.
· Directions: I-84 East, Exit 15, then right on Route 67 South for 3 miles. Right on Route 188 South for 0.3 miles, then turn left into the park.
I-84 West, Exit 16, then left on Route 188 South for 2.3 miles. Left on Route 188 South/Route 67 South for 0.1 miles. Right on Route 188 South for 0.3 miles, then turn left into the park.
From Route 8 North or South, take Exit 22 to Route 67 North for 7 miles. Left on Route 188 South (Quaker Farm Road) and the park is on the left in 0.3 miles.
· Map link: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Southford-Falls-State-Park
· Trail Descriptions: There are only two main trails at Southford Falls, a loop trail that is 1.35 miles in length and a cross trail that is 0.2 miles in length. There are unmarked spur trails off the Red Trail by Eightmile Brook that provide better views of the brook. There are signs in several locations asking people not to hike on bootleg trails. The main amount of climbing takes place along the southern part of the loop. Elevation changes are modest from 450 ft. of elevation to 600 feet at the tower.
The park map from 2011 shows all trails as blazed in Red. When I hiked this in Oct. 2020, the cross trail was blazed Orange. The spur trail to the tower is blazed Red, and, in my opinion, should be blazed a different color as the trail junction is unmarked and it is confusing to a hiker to come to a junction to see the same color headed in two different directions. The Red Trail along the brook also parallels Route 188, and road noise is noticeable until the trail turns away from the road. The map shows some brief unmarked trails that are accessible only from Oakcrest Drive in Oxford.
· Suggested Hike: This 1.3-mile hike has about 200 feet of elevation gain. From the parking lot, follow the path across the bridge between the pond and the spillway, heading right after crossing the bridge to follow the Red Trail south along the brook. The best view of the brook is from the short boardwalk 0.25 miles from the parking lot. At 0.65 miles, the trail reaches the junction of the Red Trail spur to the fire tower, which is 0.1 miles away. After returning from the fire tower, the return loop along the park’s quieter east side is another 0.70 miles. The Red Trail exits the woods along the side of Papermill Pond before returning to the bridge near the parking lot. Another option for the return is to continue past the bridge for another 0.1 miles, and then turn right on the Red Trail to cross Eightmile Brook on the covered bridge. Turn right after the bridge to explore the west side of the brook and then walk up the short slope to the parking lot.
For a second loop: from the bridge by the pond, head south along the Red Trail for 0.2 miles, then turn left on the Orange Trail (marked Red on the 2011 map), and in 0.2 miles, turn right to head south on the Red Trail along the park’s east side. The junction to the spur trail to the tower comes in another 0.45 miles. Since you already visited the tower, simply continue straight on the Red Trail and descend the slope, reaching the boardwalk in another 0.35 miles. Pass the Orange Trail in another 0.15 miles and after 0.05 more miles, turn left on the Red Trail to the covered bridge, and then right after the bridge to return to the parking lot.
· GPS track: To be added
· Safety concerns: There are no safety concerns of note. A few trail sections are mildly steep for a short distance and could be slippery in wet conditions.
· Special considerations: The state website incorrectly lists the park as being 169 acres. A check of the GIS maps shows the park is 11.77 acres in Southbury and 115 acres in Oxford. Since many people are likely looking for more distance in a hike, the nearest state park option is Kettletown State Park, 1400 George’s Hill Road, Southbury, which is four miles away. The Naugatuck State Forest, West Block, 335 Chestnut Tree Hill Road, is 6 miles away. A third option is the 10-mile long Larkin State Park Trail, which passes through the area. The nearest trailhead that has any parking is 2 miles away at 160 Christian Street, Oxford, just north of Commerce Drive, where there are maybe three parking spaces by the gate.
· Starting Location/Parking: Start at the cul-de-sac at 2620 Downs Rd., Hamden, adjacent the entrance for the YMCA camp. Be sure not to block the gate to the YMCA camp. There is plenty of parking in the cul de sac.
Note that the interactive map and the book only show trails managed by CFPA. At West Rock this means that only the Regicides, Sanford Feeder and Westville Feeder Trails appear on this map. The latest Walk Book does show all the trails at West Rock.
· Why you should go: The Quillinan Reservoir property has about 7 miles of trails over varying terrain with small rock formations, Moulthrap Brook, and the Quillinan Reservoir as features, along with some large trees. Footing is good along the trails and elevation changes are generally mild. The trail system was fixed and extended by a group of people from the New England Mountain Biking Association (NEMBA). The reservoir property also connects directly to the Ansonia Nature Center and indirectly to Regional Water Authority's Pine Hill Trails for those looking for a longer hike. Of the three properties, the Quillinian parcel is by far the most interesting.
· Starting Location/Parking: There are three starting locations for the Quillinan Reservoir property.
· There is parking for about 10 cars by 50 Buswell St., Ansonia, with more street parking available at the south end of the property, adjacent to the reservoir.
There is a small dirt lot at the north end of the property that can hold maybe eight vehicles at an approximate address of 2 Rimmon Road (Rt. 313), Seymour.
· The largest parking area is available on the adjacent Ansonia Nature Center property at 10 Deerfield Rd., Ansonia.
· Directions:
· To 50 Buswell St., Ansonia: Rt. 8 North to Exit 16 and continue onto Pershing Drive. Right on Rt. 334 (Bridge St.), then right on Rt. 115 (Main St.). Next left on Tremont St. and following the curve across East Main St. Tremont St. changes name to Beaver St. Right on Myrtle Ave., then left on Buswell St. and drive to the end. Rt. 8 South to Exit 19 and continue onto Derby Ave. Left on Rt. 334 at the light, and follow over the bridge where you take a right onto Rt. 115 (Main St.) Next left on Tremont St. and following the curve across East Main St. Tremont St. changes name to Beaver St. Right on Myrtle Ave., then left on Buswell St. and drive to the end.
· To 2 Rimmon Rd., Seymour (MapQuest and Bing recognize 2 Rimmon Rd., as a destination. Google maps does not recognize this address and will incorrectly put you 3 miles away on Rimmon STREET. Your car GPS may not recognize the correct address either, so plan accordingly.)
· Rt. 15 North to Exit 57 and continue onto Rt. 34 East for 0.9 miles. Left on Rt. 114 North for 3.5 miles. Left on Rt. 313 West for 2.1 miles. The parking lot is on the left, just before Clinton Road/Maple St. Rt. 15 South to Exit 59. Left on Rt. 69 North for 0.2 miles. Next left on Lucy St. Right on Rt. 63 North for 1.1 miles. Left on Rt. 114 West for 3.2 miles. Right on Rt. 313 West for 2.1 miles. The parking lot is on the left, just before Clinton Road/Maple St.
· To the Ansonia Nature Center, 10 Deerfield Rd., Ansonia: Rt. 8 to Exit 15 to Rt. 34 West. Left on Rt. 115 North. Bear right on Rt. 243. Left on Prindle Ave. Right on Benz St. Left on Milan St. and continue straight onto Deerfield Rd. and the center. Rt. 15 to Exit 58 to Rt. 34 West. Right on Baldwin Rd. Left on Rt. 243 West. Right on Benz St. Right/left at Ford Rd. to stay on Benz St. Right on Milan St., and continue straight onto Deerfield Rd. and the nature center.
· Map link: Note that there have been updates to the trail blazes since this map was published, which are not reflected on the older map, as seen in the forest in March 2021:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/QuillinanReservoirpdf.pdf?la=en Map for mobile apps at https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/QuillinanReservoirGPSpdf.pdf?la=en
· Trail Descriptions: The woods road along the western side of the property has rolling terrain. The Purple Trail and the White Trail along the eastern side of the property gently follows the contours of the terrain. The short trails running west to east are moderately steep.
· Suggested Hike: From the Buswell Street parking lot head north on the Purple Trail and continue onto the unmarked woods road to the Rimmon Road parking lot where you can follow the Purple Trail south along the eastern side of the property. For a shorter hike, stay on the Purple Trail. For a longer hike, loop off onto the White Trail before returning to the Purple Trail.
• GPS track: This is a 6.6 mile hike that starts from Buswell Street: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/31253826
· Safety concerns: With multiple Purple Trails, unmarked trails, and unofficial trails, this area can be confusing to navigate. I had offered to improve the color scheme of the property by blazing the north-south woods road in Blue, changing one of the Purple loops to Purple-White, but the DEEP wanted to use Purple to cover previous unapproved blazes of other colors. On their own, mountain bikers apparently blazed the trail from Route 313 to Buswell Street in Blue, which makes the trail easier to follow.
· Special considerations: The adjoining Ansonia Nature Center property can be used to extend your hike by following its trails, which total about 2 miles. The natural center has the largest parking lot in the area, and when the center is open, you can use the restrooms. The White Trail on the Quillinan Reservoir property connects to the Green-blazed Raptor Woods Trail north of the ballfields on the nature center property. Starting from the nature center does mean you will have an uphill hike on the way back. Nature Center map:
· The Regional Water Authority's Pine Hill Trails are across Rimmon Road, but you have to walk up the road about a third of a mile to access the entrance, as there are no official trails near the Quillinan Reservoir entrance at 2 Rimmon Rd. An RWA hiking permit is required to use these trails, which total about 3 miles. The White Trail has some limited views of the Peat Swamp reservoir. These trails overlap with unblazed woods roads and take some sharp turns, so keep an eye on the blazes to make sure you are on the trail. Pine Hill Trails map: http://scrcog.org/wp-content/uploads/trails/RWA/alt/RecTrails_RWA8_Alt_6-2-16.pdf
Peters Memorial Woods and Jesse Buell Forest, Clinton (added March 2022)
· Why You Should Go: The 72-acre Peters Memorial Woods has impressive rock formations, including a rocky glen with high walls and a stream passing through it, along with tunnels of mountain laurel, and clusters of hemlock trees. The trails are impressively well maintained with clear blazes, footbridges across streams, and plank boardwalks through soggy areas.
Jesse Buell Forest is a pleasant 115-acre property with interesting rock formations, hemlock trees and mountain laurel and gently rolling terrain.
· Starting Location/Parking: The parking area for Peters Memorial Woods located at 30 Valley Road, Clinton, 0.2 miles east of Brickyard Rd., has room for 10 cars. The parking area is on the left by a house with mailbox number 32, which is adjacent to the entrance. There are no easy options if the parking lot is full, as the as the nearby streets are too narrow for parking. If you are hiking the area with a large group, consider meeting at the Park and Ride on Route 81 by Glenwood Road, and carpooling to Peters Memorial Woods.
· Directions to Peters Memorial Woods: I-95 North, Exit 63, then left on High Street and right on Glenwood Road (after crossing I-95) for 1.4 miles. Right to stay on Glenwood Rd. for 0.7 miles. Right on Ninety Rod Road for 0.3 miles. Left on Fairy Dell Road for 0.3 miles. Bear left on Brickyard Road for 0.2 miles. Bear right on Valley Road for 0.2 miles. Left into the parking area.
I-95 South, Exit 63, the right on Route 81 South, and left on Glenwood Road (just before I-95), and follow the above directions.
· Map link: https://www.clintonlandtrust.org/hike-1
Peters Memorial Woods: The map available in 2022 does not show the Yellow-Purple Trail, a short 0.05 mile long connector trail from the Brook Trail (Yellow) to the Bougie Trail (Red). This map also does not show two minor trail relocations, which are clearly marked on the property with signs and follow the original path fairly closely.
Jesse Buell Forest: The hand-drawn map available in 2022 is very confusing to read. The Yellow Trail on the map was blazed Green when I hiked it in 2022. Some trails lead onto an adjacent private property north of the forest, which are not shown on the map.
· Trail Descriptions: The trails on both properties cross rolling to moderately hilly terrain with good footing. There is a short rock scramble on the Brook Trail (Yellow) at Peters Memorial Woods. The difference between the highest and lowest point at Peters Memorial Woods is only 140 feet, and at Jesse Buell the difference is only 80 feet.
· Suggested Hike (Peters Memorial Woods): This 3.2 mile loop uses all the trails in the preserve for a total elevation gain of 600 feet. From the left side of the parking area, follow the Brook Trail (Yellow) through a rocky glen. At mile 0.1 mile, turn left on the Burnham Trail (Orange). At mile 0.6, turn left on Georgia’s Trail (Green), following it down to Brickyard Road and returning back to this junction. Then left at mile 1.7 on the Laurel Ridge Trail (Pale Blue). At mile 1.9, go straight on the Princess Pine Trail (Blue) where that trail also goes right. At mile 2.4, turn right on the Bougie Trail (Red) at a T-int. (For those looking to get back right away, the parking lot is 0.03 miles to the left.) At mile 2.6 turn right on the Bougie Trail (Red) at a T-int. At mile 2.8, turn left Laurel Ridge Trail (Pale Blue), and immediate left to stay on this trail. At mile 3, turn right on the Brook Trail (Yellow), and at mile 3.1, turn left on the Yellow-Purple Trail and cross the footbridge. At mile 3.15, turn right on the Bougie Trail (Red) and follow it back to the parking lot.
Shorter hike: Shorten the hike by 1 mile and save 200 feet of climbing by skipping the out and back along Georgia’s Trail (Green).
Jesse Buell Forest:
The suggested start location is the cul-de-sac by 16 Taylor Ridge Road, Clinton, where there is plenty of parking available. Alternatively, parking is available on Cream Pot Road where there is room for 5 cars in the lot with room for another 2 cars that could be parked a short distance away near a farm gate.
Directions from Peters Memorial Woods: Right on Valley Road for 0.2 miles. Right on Brickyard Rd. for 0.7 miles. Left on Kelseytown Road for 0.2 miles. Right on Ironworks Road for 0.2 miles. Left on Taylor Ridge Road for 0.2 miles to the end.
Someone could walk from Peters Memorial Woods to the Jesse Buell Forest, as Georgia’s Trail meets Brickyard Road, just south of Kelseytown Road and from here it is only 0.6 miles to the trailhead for the Jesse Buell Forest on Taylor Ridge Road. However, both Kelseytown and Ironworks Roads are narrow roads with no available shoulder in many areas for walking.
Suggested loop from Taylor Ridge Road: Right on the Red Trail from the north side of the cul-de-sac, then left at mile 0.1 on the Blue Trail. Bear left on the Blue Trail at mile 0.4 (Red Trail on right) and mile 0.5 (Green Trail on right–shown as Yellow on the map). Left on the White trail at mile 0.6. Right on White at 1.1 miles. Left on the Green Trail at mile 1.2. Left on the Blue Trail at mile 1.3, and almost immediately left on the Red Trail. Left on the Yellow Trail at mile 1.9. Right on the Blue Trail at mile 2. Left on the Green Trail at mile 2.1. Left on the Red Trail at mile 2.2, arriving back at Taylor Ridge Road at mile 2.3.
· GPS track: None
· Safety concerns: At Peter’s Memorial Woods, the rock scramble on the Brook Trail (Yellow) could be slippery in wet conditions.
· Special considerations: The Clinton Land Trust has a few other property with the potential for hikes of 2 to 3 miles. I have yet to explore those properties.
Stony Creek Quarry Preserve, Branford (revised March 2023)
· Why you should go: Impressive rock formations that can display dramatic long icicles in the winter, along with beautiful brooks and wetlands, all make this a worthwhile destination. The moderate terrain means you can enjoy the woods without slogging up steep hills.
Starting Location/Parking: Start at the main parking area at 100 Quarry Rd., Branford.
· Directions: I-95 North to Exit 56. Right on Leetes Island Rd. Left on Rt. 146 and go 0.6 miles. Left on Quarry Rd. and drive about 0.6 miles. The parking lot is on the right behind some cement blocks, just past where the pavement ends. I-95 South to Exit 56. Left off the exit, then left on Leetes Island Rd. at the light. Left on Rt. 146. Left on Quarry Rd. Right into the parking area.
· Map link: https://scrcog.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Branford-Quarry-and-Hoadley-Creek-Preserves.pdf
· Trail Descriptions: The Red Trail along the southern end of the property has some sections that are soggy and potentially underwater. The Red-White Trail near the parking lot has a section with a rock scramble and passes through a rock formation with a small ladder. Due to the numerous trail junctions, this area can be confusing to navigate.
· Suggested Hike: For this 7.4 mile hike with 700 feet of elevation gain, cross Quarry Road and follow the Green Trail northwest, turning right on the Green and Blue Trail at mile 1.5, just south of Red Hill Road. At mile 1.6 turn right on the Blue Trail, then left on the Blue and Pink Trail, following it through some twists and turns, including turning right at mile 1.9. At mile 2.2, turn sharp left on the Pink Trail. At mile 2.7 turn right on Red Hill Road and at mile 3.7, turn right on the Red Trail heading south. At mile 4.8, turn left on the Red and White Trails heading south, staying on the Red Trail until Rt. 146. At mile 5.3, turn right on the White Trail at Rt. 146 heading north, then left at mile 7.2 on the White Trail and Green Trail heading west. Straight on the Green Trail where the White Trail turns right to return to the parking lot.
· GPS track: This 8.9 mile hike is a longer version of the above hike and has only 800 feet of elevation gain and covers most trails in the preserve. This loop can be easily shortened to 4.6 miles: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1583962349
This 6.3 mile hike has 500 feet of elevation gain: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2609300867
· Safety concerns: The White Circle Trail has some minor rock scrambles that could be challenging in slippery conditions.
· Special considerations: The quarry in the center of the preserve is private property and is closed to hikers. Skip the Pink Trail north of Red Hill Rd. due to road noise from I-95. The trail colors were substantially updated with some significant changes in spring 2022, so make sure you have the 2022 map. The trail color scheme north of the parking area is VERY confusing, often having two colors along a section of trail as one color merges in, and then the colors split at another trail junction, heading off in different directions.
· Why you should go: Timberland is a 598 acre preserve with beautiful trails featuring rock formations, frequent views of Iron Stream, and occasional glimpses of Upper Guilford Lakes. With its many trails, it is easy to create hikes of many different lengths.
· Starting Location/Parking: Timberland Preserve (also referred to as Timberlands) can be accessed from two large parking lots near the preserve, and from a few other small pull-off areas for maybe two to three cars.
The main parking area for Timberland Preserve is a gravel parking lot for about 20 cars located on the north side of Route 80, just west of Maple Hill Road, with an approximate street address of 319 Route 80, Guilford. GPS may not recognize this number: the nearest house is 0.15 miles to the west with an address of 331 Route 80, Guilford. There is a blue oval sign for the Menunketuck Trail and a green rectangular sign with two hikers by the parking lot.
There are a few disadvantages to using this parking lot, as compared to starting at Guilford Lakes School (see below for that option). It requires crossing busy Route 80. It also means the hike finishes on a steady uphill with the hum of traffic in the background. While it is only about a 150 feet of elevation gain, it is still an uphill finish to the hike. In winter, this lot is likely to be icy.
· Directions to the Route 80 parking lot: From I-95 North, Exit 58, take Route 77 North for 4.3 miles, then right on Route 80 East for 1.9 miles. The parking area is on the left, just past Maple Hill Rd.
From I-95 South, Exit 61, take Route 79 North for 5.4 miles. Left on Route 80 West for 2.8 miles. The parking lot is on the right just before Maple Hill Road.
From I-91, Exit 8, take Route 80 West for 11.4 miles. The parking area is on the left, just past Maple Hill Rd.
From the north, Route 9, Exit 13 to Route 17 South for 6.7 miles. Left on Route 81 South for 8.1 miles. Right on Route 80 West for 2.8 miles. The parking lot is on the right just before Maple Hill Road
· Map link: https://scrcog.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timberland-Preserve_ALT.pdf
· Trail Descriptions: The trails west of Upper Guilford Lakes wind through and sometimes across rock formations. Portions of Red and Blue Trails (blazed with rectangular blazes) and the White Circle Trail parallel Iron Stream and are the most scenic in the preserve. The trails north of Upper Guilford Lakes are more open woodlands. Most trails are marked with rectangular blazes. Some trails have circular blazes. Cross trails are marked with a X-shaped blaze.
· Suggested Hike: For a shorter loop, starting at Guilford Lakes School, walk north along Maupas Road, and almost immediately enter the woods on the White Trail. Wind through the loops along the west side of Upper Guilford Lakes. Be sure to hike the White Circle, and the Red/Blue Trails (blazed with rectangles) along Iron Stream at the north end of the lake. To make the connection, follow the White Cross Trail along Upper Guilford Lake, turn left on Lakeside Drive, then left again on Laurel Road. For a longer hike, add in the Green Trail loop to the east of Upper Guilford Lake and/or continue north along Blue, Red, White, or Purple, and return south on a different trail.
· Safety concerns: There are no real safety concerns at Timberland because the trails are gently rolling with good footing for the most part. The Orange Trail has a few short, steep sections that could be challenging to hike in icy conditions. The White Circle Trail could have soggy sections, or even be covered in water at certain times of the year, and has uneven footing near the brook with lots of tree roots and rocks. The main issue is that it is easy to get lost as the narrative below details.
· Special considerations: Timberland is an excellent example of how NOT to create a trail system and a trail blazing scheme. There are just too many trails with a confusing way of marking them and this creates a high potential for getting lost. Particularly between Maupas Road and Upper Guilford Lakes, trails wind in multiple loops, crossing other winding trails.
North of Upper Guilford Lakes, the trails are more straightforward as they more or less travel north to south, excepting the east-west trails along Iron Stream. A better system would be to pick a color and have that mark the western-most trail heading north to south.
Instead, Timberland uses FOUR different colors along this trail. Adding to the confusion, some trail colors overlap with the Blue-Blazed Menunketuck Trail (part of the New England Trail) that extends north to south through the preserve.
One other challenge is that the cross trails that are blazed in a way that I have not seen used outside of Guilford. In addition to being marked with an X (instead of a rectangular blaze), the trail colors on the cross trails are DIFFERENT depending on the direction you are hiking. As an example, if you are hiking from the White Trail to the Red Trail, the trail will be marked with a White X in one direction and a Red X in the other direction. A better design would be to have such a trail blazed Red-White with a four inch red blaze above a 2 inch white blaze.
On the map and in the woods, the former Purple and White cross trail near Route 80 has solid Purple blazes on it, instead of the Purple and White X markings (some of which can still be seen). This creates confusion because now Purple splits and heads off in two different directions, another bad practice in trail markings. When heading north, most hikers will want to take the left turn to bring them back to the Blue Trail and White Trail. Again, the least confusing option woud be to blaze the cross trail with a four-inch Purple blaze with a two inch tail underneath.
· Why you should go: Westwoods is a beautiful property highlighted by interesting rock formations. There are also streams on the property. At the south end, enjoy a view over Lost Lake. With its many trails, it takes multiple visits to see everything.
Starting Location/Parking/Directions: There are seven parking locations for Westwoods, some of them only a few spaces along the side of the road.
To enter from the southeast corner of the preserve, use the trailhead with an approximate street address of 275 Dunk Rock Road, Guilford. There are about 10 parking spaces at the trailhead by Bishops Pond. I-95 Exit 57 to Rt. 1 North. Right on Dunk Rock Road, just past Bishop’s Orchards, and go half a mile to the trailhead on the right with additional parking on the left.
If you have a large group, consider meeting at A.W. Cox School, 143 Three Mile Course, Guilford. From the school, turn left on Farmview Lane, then left again on Dunk Rock Road to the trailhead, which is about a half-mile distance. Directions to the school: I-95 Exit 57 to Rt. 1 North. Right on Dunk Rock Road, just past Bishop’s Orchards, then left on Farmview Lane, then right into the school.
· Map link (The map on the Guilford Land Trust site is difficult to read and print. If you happen to have a copy of the map formerly posted to the South Central Regional Council of Government website, use that one as it is much clearer. The map as posted in December 2022 has the old color scheme for the adjacent Stony Creek Quarry. The correct color scheme for that property is shown on the updated map for the quarry. The new map link is listed under the description for that property on this page): https://guilfordlandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/maps/WestwoodsPrintedMapFull.pdf
· Trail Descriptions: The Green Circle trail is rolling terrain with some mild rock formations to cross. The Red Square trail is a rolling woods loop. The Blue Circle Trail is a rolling footpath. The Green Rectangle Trail is mostly a woods road. The Yellow Circle trail has several rock scrambles and is best avoided in icy conditions. The White Circle Trail in the northern end of the preserve is rolling with a short climb back to the parking area. The Orange Circle Trail crosses a couple of rock formations, but is otherwise a woods trail. The White Circle Trail by Lost Lake crosses a few rock formations near the lake. The White Square Trail by Lost Lake has a half-mile section with some uneven footing and crosses some rock formations, but provides frequent views of Lost Lake. In slippery conditions, stay on the White Circle Trail.
Detailed trail descriptions are available at the Guilford Land Trust site: https://guilfordlandtrust.org/wordpress/properties/westwoods/trail-descriptions
· Suggested Hike: Due to the complexity of the trail system, it is difficult to provide suggested hikes in a way that would not result in the hiker getting lost. The two provided GPS tracks are hikes I have led multiple times, and can be used as guidance for planning your own hike.
· GPS track: This is a 6.5 mile loop with 700 feet of elevation gain, starting from Peddlers Road: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/60542692
This is a 6.4 mile loop with 600 feet of elevation gain, starting from Sam Hill Road: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/70255108
· Safety concerns: The Yellow Circle and the Yellow Square Trail have several rock scrambles and are best avoided in icy conditions. The White Square Trail by Lost Lake has a half-mile section with some uneven footing and crosses some rock formations. In slippery conditions, stay on the White Circle Trail.
· Special considerations: There are way too many trails at Westwoods, and with the use of the same color in different shapes: circles, triangles, squares, rectangles and diamonds, it can be truly baffling to navigate the area. Expect to get lost if you have never been to Westwoods, and even if you have, it is easy to take a turn onto a trail you did not plan to use. The sprawling map only adds to the confusion.
Honorable Mention
In case people are wondering why some popular hiking areas are not listed, I decided to include this information to explain why some areas did not make the cut. Any of these areas will offer a pleasant experience, but if you want an above-average hike, go with the recommended ones on this website. I have hiked some of these areas multiple times because they are a convenient drive for me when I don’t have the time to drive further to a more interesting area. In writing this list, I make note of the fact that some of these areas that did not make the recommended list are favorite hiking areas for friends. I also did not consider places smaller than about 200 acres, as smaller properties tend to have limited trail mileage, making them an unlikely destination.
This section was added in December 2020.
Brooksvale Park, Hamden
Why you might go: There are a variety of trails in this 500 acre park, making it possible to customize a hike to different lengths. There is a small farm with animals that is certainly popular with children. The park is a convenient place to park if you plan to use the nearby Farmington Canal Trail.
Why it did not make the list: The trail system in Brooksvale received a tremendous overhaul in 2020 and also finally has a useable map. The trails are now clearly blazed. There are also signboards with maps at trail junctions. These updates make it easier to navigate the trail system. However, the woods at best can be described as a pleasant native forest with no outstanding features to draw a traveler from afar.
If you go: Park in the large gravel lot near 390 Brooksvale Ave., Hamden. The trails tend to increase in elevation as you head west from the parking lot. Footing is generally good making this a suitable hiking area in slippery conditions. Some trails connect to the trails in the Naugatuck State Forest, Mt. Sanford Block, but the maps for the two areas do not align well, so it can be tricky to cross from one property to another.
Where I recommend going in the area instead: The Naugatuck State Forest, Mt. Sanford Block
Website: http://www.brooksvalepark.com
Map: https://scrcog.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Trails_Brooksvale_Park_Letter.pdf
East River Preserve, Eastwoods, and Nut Plains Woods, Guilford
Why you might go: If the 116-acre Nut Plains Woods is incorporated into the hike, then these three adjacent preserves are a worthwhile hiking destination. Without Nut Plains Woods, the 583 acre property East River Preserve and the 95-acre Eastwoods fall into the category of a pleasant set of woods, still worth hiking, but not as interesting as other choices on this list. The East River Preserve is owned and managed by the town of Guilford, while Nut Plains Woods and Eastwoods are owned and managed by the Guilford Land Conservation Trust.
Nut Plains Woods has terrain, rock formations, and a forest that is similar to what is found at Westwoods and Timberland Preserves in Guilford. Nut Plains also has a number of babbling brooks that add interest to the property.
The East River Preserve consists of an open hardwood forest with almost no understory, allowing hikers to see across the rolling terrain in all directions. This is a great example of a place that is a pleasant set of woods with no outstanding features that would make it a destination hike.
· Trail Descriptions:
The East River Preserve has a number of trails, including the Blue-Blazed Menunkatuck Trail, the southern portion of the New England Trail. The western section of trail near Nut Plains Woods passes near a small lake, over a brook, and through a swamp, which makes this the most interesting part of the trail. The trails have gentle climbs and descents with good footing. Along the southern and eastern side, the Menuntatuck Trail has views across the several fields through which it passes and some brief glimpses of the East River. Hopefully the trail corridor through the fields is kept mown in the summer. The Orange Trail follows a powerline cut. The Yellow Trail that I hiked is a woods road. The Green Trail crosses a brook several times and the crossings are on the rocks, which are a long step or an easy jump from one rock to the next. With its mild terrain, the preserve is a good location for cross-country skiing.
Eastwoods: The Yellow Trail closely parallels Podunk Road, giving the trail views of the road and houses along it, which is less than appealing.
Nut Plains Woods: The White Trail follows the edge of the property, staying mostly on the higher portions of the ridge. The Blue Trail winds through the center of the property. The Red Trail connects two parts of the White Trail. The Green Trail traverses a small hill, connecting White to Red. The Yellow Trail is a bypass to White Trail where it follows a ledge.
· Starting Location/Parking: There are many entry points to the various preserves, but the best starting location is the East River Preserve main entrance, 35 Sullivan Drive, Guilford. The Guilford Land Conservation Trust property has information on specific parking locations for its preserves, all of which is roadside parking.
· Directions: I-95 North, Exit 58 to Rt. 77 South for 0.4 miles, then left on North St. for 0.1 miles. Left on State St. for 0.8 miles. Bear right on Nut Plains Road for 0.9 miles. Right on Goose Lane, and almost immediately turn left on Sullivan Drive.
I-95 South, Exit 59, then left on Goose Lane for 1.6 miles. Just before the junction with Nut Plains Road, turn right on Sullivan Drive.
From the north, take Route 80 to Route 77 South for 2.7 miles. Left on Stepstone Hill Road for 0.7 miles. Right on Nut Plains Road for 1 mile. Bear left on Goose Lane, and almost immediately turn left on Sullivan Drive.
· Map links: East River Preserve: https://scrcog.org/wp-content/uploads/trails/guilford/RecTrails_G3_5-25-18.pdf
For Nut Plains Woods and Eastwoods Preserve, visit the Guilford Land Conservation Trust website: https://guilfordlandtrust.org/wordpress/properties
· Suggested Hike: From the Sullivan Drive kiosk by the red gate, turn left and head north on the Menunkatuck Trail (light Blue) along the field and soon enter the woods. At mile 1.0, turn left on the White Trail in Nut Plains Woods. By the kiosk in Nut Plains Woods at mile 1.3, ascend the slope on the White Trail. (If conditions are wet, icy or snowy, take the Yellow Trail to bypass the ridge because the trail is too close to the edge and could result in a fall). Descend off the ridge on the White Trail, passing the Yellow Trail, the Green Trail and the Red Trail. When heading south on the White Trail, turn right on the Blue Trail (a medium shade) at mile 2.2 and follow its loops through the middle of the property. Turn right on the White Trail near Broad Hill Circle at mile 2.8. Left on the Menunkatuck Trail (light Blue) heading east at mile 3.0. After crossing the swamp on the boardwalk, continue straight on the dark Blue Trail at mile 3.2, then turn right on the Yellow Trail at mile 3.4.
For a short hike of 4.6 miles (with about 600 feet of elevation gain):Continue on the Yellow Trail, passing the Blue Trail (medium blue) at mile 3.5, crossing the Orange Trail, and passing the White Trail. At mile 4.3, bear right on the Menunkatuck Trail (light Blue) the SECOND time you see it, so you can walk southwest. The trail comes to the Sullivan Drive kiosk at mile 4.6.
For the longer hikes:Turn left again on the Blue Trail (a medium shade) at mile 3.5 into the Eastwoods property. At the end of the Blue Trail at mile 3.7, turn right on the Green Trail heading south.
For a shorter hike of about 6 miles (with about 700 feet of elevation gain):turn right on the White Trail at mile 4.4. Turn left on the Yellow Trail at mile 5.2. Then at mile 5.4, bear right on the Menunkatuck Trail (light Blue) the SECOND time you see it, so you can walk southwest. The trail comes to the Sullivan Drive kiosk at mile 5.39.
For a longer hike of 6.6 miles (with about 800 feet of elevation gain):continue on the Green Trail at mile 4.4. Where the Green Trail splits (with the left fork heading out to Podunk Road) at mile 4.6, bear right and continue south, passing the Red Trail along the way. At the end of the Green Trail at mile 5.5, turn right on the Menunkatuck Trail (light Blue) heading west, which will pass through several fields. The Menunkatuck will pass the Yellow Trail by Bearhouse Hill Road, leading back to Sullivan Drive at mile 6.6.
GPS track: To be added
· Safety concerns: The White Trail along the western side of Nut Plains Woods north of Cindy Lane ascends a rock formation and along the top follows the edge of the ridgeline. The trail here would be treacherous in wet, icy and snowy conditions for three reasons: the trail is right along the edge, the treadway is angled toward the edge, and the trail is very narrow. In slippery conditions, use the Yellow Trail along the base of the ridge as an alternative.
· Special considerations: Trail colors are reused across the three properties, each of which has a Yellow Trail. The Yellow Trail across the East River Preserve that connects to the road does not directly connect to the Yellow Trail in Eastwoods, but they are linked by a combination of the Blue Trail and the Green Trail. There is a Red Trail in both the East River Preserve and Nut Plains Woods. The Green Trail traverses both the East River Preserve and Eastwoods. The Blue Trail on the Nut Plains Woods and the Eastwoods properties is marked in a medium shade of blue and should not be confused with the light blue blazes on the Menunkatuck Trail.
At the time this was written in December 2020, there was an error on the Eastwoods map. It showed the trail at the East River Preserve along the powerlines as Red, when it is actually Orange. The East River Preserve map shows most trails at Eastwoods, but does not show the two dark Blue connecting trails.
Osbornedale State Park, Derby
Why you might go: The Osborne Homestead Museum and the Kellogg Environmental Center are two potential destinations on the southwest side of the park. The museum is a historic home with a beautiful garden. The Environmental Center has exhibits and programs. While at Osbornedale, you may wish to go for a hike in the park itself. There is the potential for ice skating in winter on Pickett’s Pond.
Why it did not make the list: Osbornedale is too small an area to be considered a destination hiking area and likely appeals primarily to people who live nearby. The trails tend not to be well maintained, having trail sections narrowed by invasive plants and marked by faded to non-existent blazes. The trails can be tricky to follow through the several open fields. One trail loop at the southwest side of the park was abandoned after invasives smothered the trail.
If you go: There are two parking areas. I have always parked at the main entrance at 80 Chatfield St., Derby. The other parking area is by the Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby. This park is a mixture of woods and fields set on a hillside near, but not overlooking the Housatonic River. The trails have a general upward trend when heading from south to north. The most scenic part is a small brook on the west side of the park.
GPS track: This 5.4 mile track uses all the trails in the park, including the loop that is now overgrown with invasive plants. A revised loop that I last hiked in 2016 was 4.7 miles. https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/76904504
Where I recommend going in the area instead: The Naugatuck State Forest, Quillinan Reservoir, Ansonia/Seymour
Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Osbornedale-State-Park
Peter’s Rock Park, North Haven
Why you might go: Peter’s Rock is worth a visit at least once for the good views at the top of West Rock, Sleeping Giant and the Hanging Hills of Meriden. There is a small cascade along the Orange Trail.
Why it did not make the list: There are several drawbacks to Peter’s Rock that would make the average hiker probably not want to rush back. As with other trap rock ridges, footing on the trails to the views can be rocky and uncertain. Some of the lower trails are decidedly soggy. In general, the woods are overrun with invasives and not very attractive. Road noise on the trails near Middletown Avenue is a near constant presence. Besides the view to the other ridges, you also see the stores, industrial buildings and houses in the area.
If you go: The park is located at 133 Middletown Ave. (Rt. 17), North Haven, just north of the junction with Quinnipiac Ave. The climbs to the summits of the Blue Trail and the Red Trail are moderately steep and potentially slippery in wet and icy conditions. There is no view from the Khaki Trail and no reason to use it, as the descent is moderately steep and slippery.
Where I recommend going in the area instead: West Rock Ridge State Park or East Rock Park
Website: https://petersrockassociation.org/
• Map (The New England Mountain Biking Association started a project in spring 2022 to construct 13 miles of trails on this property, trails that are not shown on this map from 2016): http://scrcog.org/wp-content/uploads/trails/north_haven/alt/RecTrails_NOH2_Alt_6-2-16.pdf
Park history: https://connecticuthistory.org/peters-rock-north-haven-history-with-a-view/
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