The Appalachian (AT) Trail in CT

Appalachian Trail's Pine Knob Loop Trail section Photo: Morrow Long

The Appalachian Trail is the most well known hiking trail in the world. It spans approximately 2200 miles, beginning in Georgia and ending in Maine. The Connecticut portion is a paltry 52 miles. It enters the State from the oblong in New York and traverses through the Southern Berkshires. The elevation steadily rises as hikers approach the Massachusetts border.

The AT blazes are white, nonetheless it is considered to be part of the CFPA Blue Blazed Trail State Trail System. The Mohawk Blue Blazed joins the AT and is in fact the remnants of the former AT course before it was rerouted to the West of the Housatonic. There are several established campsites and lean-to's along the CT portion of the AT. By making use of these sites it is possible to hike this section on a long weekend.

Trail Maps are included below. Locations of campsites are approximate.

The Quinnipiac Blue Blazed Trail

Quinnipiac River

The Quinnipiac is the original Blue Blazed Trail. The complete trail is 24 miles and travels from North Haven to Cheshire. Along its way it passes through two State Parks: The Quinnipiac River State Park and Sleeping Giant State Park.In the third section of the hike the Regicides trail joins the Quinnipiac. The fourth section offers a side trail to Roaring Brook Falls Park.

The Mattatuck Blue Blazed Trail

Mattatuck Trail Mohawk Mountain

The Mattatuck mainline trail is a 36 Mile Blue Blazed Trail. It's Southern point begins at the Waterbury reservoirs in Wolcott and passes through: Plymouth Thomaston, Watertown, Morris, and Litchfield. It is Fragmented in Litchfield, but picks up again in Cornwall, drops into Goshen for a few miles and finishes at a junction with The Mohawk trail in Cornwall.

Along the trail you will pass through the Mattutuck State Forest, Black Rock State Park, and The White Memorial Foundation and Conservation Center. The word Mattatuck is American Indian and means loosely: the place without trees. The place refereed to is now Waterbury. But, in a historic irony land which now makes up the Mattatuck State Forest and Black Rock State Park was deforested; the wood being used as fuel for foundries and brass milling in the nearby Naugatuck Valley.

While we lament the loss of heavy industry in Connecticut, it is fair to consider the cost of industry on our environment. During the Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corp embarked on a massive reforestation project - planting tens of thousands of trees and instituting erosion control.

The Mattabesett Blue Blazed Hiking Trail

Mattabesett Trail Bluff Head

The Mattabesett Trail is a 50 mile long Blue Blazed Trail in New Haven, Hartford, and Middlesex Counties. A major portion of this trail is a leg of the New England National Scenic Trail (NET). The Mattabesett is made up of 9 distinct sections which rise and fall along trap rock ridges which offer commanding views of The Connecticut River Valley.

Along the way a number of shorter branch and loop trails criss-cross the Mattabesett - such as The Lone Pine Trail, and Seven Falls Trail. The Mattabesett connects to two other Blue Blazed Trails as well: The Menunkatuck, and The Metacomet. It is possible to hike from Long Island Sound to the border of Massachusetts near Springfield along these three trails. You will find links to articles about the various sections of The Mattabesett that I have hiked so far, as well as trail maps and coordinates to parking spots.

Best Places to Walk in Connecticut

St. Mary's By The Sea - Bridgeport CT

Connecticut has a driving culture; but there are still a few places reserved for pedestrians only. Walking is a great activity for health and wellness, or just for filling the time. It can also be the main activity in a day trip - a reason to go out somewhere new.

Usually, I write about hiking - which is a different activity altogether. A good walk is flat and easy - something anyone can do - even with a cane or in a wheelchair. Today, I've chosen ten of my favorite walks in The State. And, I've ranked them according to their walkability, amenities, and scenery. If you are looking for a great afternoon walk by the sea or in the woods try one of these out.

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Hiking Quinnipiac River State Park

The Qunnipiac Trail - Quinnipiac River State Park

Every trail has its challenges. The first section of the Quinnipiac Blue Blazed trail is 4-5 miles of difficult stream crossings and hacking through dense underbrush. The Quinnipiac is the original Blue Blazed Trail. The complete trail is 24 miles and travels from North Haven to Cheshire.

Along its way it passes through two State Parks: The Quinnipiac River State Park and Sleeping Giant State Park. Section 1 is contained within the former. The elevation is constant; so the challenge is not in the climbs. But, because the entire length of Section 1 lies with in a flood plain, the geography of the river changes so frequently that it becomes difficult to provide bridges to cross streams and oxbows.

The vegetation here is rapid growing and weedy. If it is not hacked clean weekly the path becomes overgrown with thorny thistles. Your best bet for completing this section is to go in high winter; particularly after a week of deep freeze when streams are frozen and able to be crossed. A summer hike here is a battle against undergrowth, mosquitoes, and flies.

Hiking Mt Higby - Mattabesett Trail

Along the Mattabesett Trail - Mt Higby

The Mattabesett Trail is a 50 mile long Blue Blazed Trail in New Haven, Hartford, and Middlesex Counties. A major portion of this trail is a leg of the New England National Scenic Trail (NET).

The Section that includes Mt Higby is the final section of the Mattabesett where it joins with The Metacomet Trail. Mt Higby is a 2 mile long ridge that is part of the Metacomet Traprock Ridgeline. There are several reservoirs at the base of the Ridge. The hike is relatively easy, but does include three mountaineering rated climbs.

Hiking at Hancock Brook - Waterbury CT

Hancock Brook Blue Blazed Trail - Waterbury CT

The Hancock Brook Blue Blazed trail is a surprise gem of a hiking trail. It is short and sweet at 2.8 miles on a loop. There is a pleasant stroll at the beginning alongside picturesque Hancock Brook. Then hikers abruptly climb to two bald rock outlooks.

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The Mattatuck Trail - Mohawk Mountain

Mattatuck Trail Mohawk Mountain Section

The Mattatuck Trail is a 36 mile Connecticut Blue Blazed Trail traveling through Litchfield County. Section 7 of this trail travels through Mohawk Mountain State Park and the trail terminates at a junction with The Mohawk Blue Blazed Trail.

This section of trail is not well traveled and includes two difficult rocky climbs. The are several interesting features along this section including a 360 panoramic view from the summit of Mohawk Mtn, and the ruins of Cunningham Tower - an bizarre project of the former wealthy owner of this land.

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Hiking The Mattatuck Trail White Memorial Conservation Center

White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield CT

The Mattatuck Trail is a Connecticut Blue Blazed hiking trail that extends 36 miles through Litchfield County. The 6.5 miles of the Mattatuck which passes through the White Memorial Conservation Center is the 5th section of the overall trail.

The White Memorial Foundation is a 4000+ acre wildlife sanctuary. It includes a vast network of supplementary trails to the Mattatuck. The trail along this section is wide and easy. Any level hiker will be comfortable hiking this section. This section is also open to bicycling.

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Putnam Memorial State Park - Redding

Putnam Park CT

Connecticut State has had many nicknames - The Nutmeg State, The Constitution State, ...The Provision State. The latter name is applied with respect to the fact that Connecticut, a state since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, supplied more food and cannons to The Continental Army than any other in The Revolutionary War.

While CT does not boast of decisive battlegrounds, its supply lines and warehouses were necessary to defend. William Tryon The Tyrant led an invasion of Connecticut in Fairfield County that resulted in the successful destruction of the Danbury army supply depot. The following year General Putnam established an encampment in Redding along Black Rock Turnpike - the route Tryon had previously used.

This camp was partially to meant to deter any additional raids on the rebuilt supply depot. Today, Putnam Memorial State Park preserves the site of this encampment. It is the oldest state park in Connecticut by virtue of the fact that it was named as a State Memorial and preserved before the existence of the CT State Park System.

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The Mattatuck Trail and Legend of The Leatherman

By Morrowlong (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Contents:
Description
Overview
Trail Map and Directions
Video
Links

The Mattatuck is a Blue Blazed Trail featuring 36 miles of trail through state forests and parks in North-Western Connecticut. It passes through nine towns. The Black Rock Park Section traverses The Mattatuck State Forest and Black Rock State Park. It is a loop trail and is moderately strenuous.

Pine forests that cover this section of trail make it ideal for any season. Two lookouts provide good vistas. The trail also passes through a cave that the legendary and mysterious Leatherman slept in once every 34 days. The lore of the Leatherman has reached far enough to become known to Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, who wrote a song entitled: Leatherman.

Visiting West Point Military Academy - Hudson Valley

West Point Academy

West Point Military Academy is an exclusive university and academy of military studies. The Hogwarts-like campus perches on an extraordinary vantage point along The Hudson. A bend in the river known as West Point requires careful and slow navigation. This made West Point an advantageous defensive position.

The bluffs were fortified for The Revolutionary War, and The Continental Army was successful in preventing The British from sailing up-river and dividing the colonies. Shortly after the war it became a military training center and eventually was transformed into a formal academic and military academy. You can tour the fortifications on land and on an island, and also walk much of the campus of this national landmark.

Touring Springwood at Hyde Park - Hudson Valley

Hyde Park on the Hudson

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born and raised at his family's Springwood estate in Hyde Park. He called it "The Center of The World." And, in many ways it became that. He entertained The King and Queen of England - feeding them hotdogs at a picnic on the forested property. He also met with Winston Churchill and Stalin at Springwood to layout WWII plans.

The influential were not limited to Franklin Roosevelt; his wife Eleanor who became the first delegate to The United Nations also had a home at Springwood. JFK also visited Springwood to seek Eleanor's endorsement. You can tour Springwood and the neighboring Vanderbilt home in Hyde Park. These tours will are full and long - and require at least one full day.

Storm King Arts Center - Hudson Valley

Wave Field - Maya Lin at Storm King

There are sculpture gardens and then there is Storm King. Storm King is an outdoor sculptural art museum featuring works from modern, post-modern, and contemporary artists. The collection includes dozens of works from internationally recognized artists, each piece expertly placed on the park-like Hudson Valley property. Storm King has recently become a favorite exhibition forum for environmental artists such as Andy Goldsworthy and Maya Lin.

The Berlin Wall in NYC

The Berlin Wall on 53rd Street NYC

New York is the city that has it all; even the Berlin Wall. One block down from MOMA on 53rd St. is a miniature urban park with an outsized reputation. Pelay Park was used as the example of a perfect urban plaza by William Whyte in his documentary on The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces which you can watch below. While I knew about Paley, I was surprised when i turned the corner to see a concrete mass covered in graffiti and lit up like a work of art. I instantly recognized the Berlin Wall. It turns out that there are four segments of The Wall in NYC.

Hiking the Buttermilk Falls Section of the Mattatuck Trail

Buttermilk Falls, The Mattatuck Blue Trail, Terryville CT

The Mattatuck Trail is a 36 mile Blue Blazed Hiking Trail in Western Connecticut. The first section of this trail begins in Plymouth and includes a hike around Buttermilk Falls - a 60 foot high three tier waterfall.

The Buttermilk Falls Section is a 5 mile moderate footpath. Stones near the falls can be wet and very slippery. Pine and hardwood forests along this trail are wide and deep. This section also passes two caves and a large pond.

Hike to Bash Bish Falls

Lower portion of Bash Bish Falls 

Take a day trip just over the border near the boundary crossings of Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut and you will find one of New England's most powerful natural wonders: Bash Bish Falls. It is difficult to photograph and capture the strength and volume of this falls. For waterfall seekers - this one is a real treat. There are two hikes to get to the glen which surrounds the falls and cascade: You can take an easy flat path that is about 1 mile in length from New York, Or traverse down a steep hill for 1/4 mile from Mass.

Hiking the Westwoods Land Trust in Guilford CT

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THE UNUSUAL TRAIL OF GUILFORD WESTWOODS

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By Morrowlong (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Guilford is the quintessential small town with an arts-village-type town square framing a manicured New England green. Its WestWoods Land Trust brings in mountain bikers, boulderers, hikers, and dog walkers from around the state. If Westwoods was a county fair, its Yellow Circle Trail would be the funhouse. Here is one of the most cleverly blazed hiking trails in all of New England ... delights and surprises abound.

A Walk by the Sea in Bridgeport

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Saint Mary's By The Sea - Bridgeport CT

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The Fayerweather Lighthouse in Bridgeport CT.
With the Port Jefferson - Bridgeport Ferry beyond.

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Contents:
Description
Map and Directions
Photos
Video
Links

Few walks along the coast of Connecticut are as pleasant as St. Mary's by the Sea. It is a short walk to be sure; - measuring in blocks - not miles. But, it curves around a neck at the mouth of Ash Creek, passes along with views of two historic lighthouses and a Fairfield Beach, and turns at the picturesque Black Rock Harbor.

This is a place for sunrises, for fishing trips, for picnics, and for walking and reviving. The Park City is certainly lucky to have a public parcel like this on their waterfront. It needs to be connected to the rest of the city somehow, but on its own it is a good park.