Hikes will celebrate Connecticut Trails Day
More than 250 hikes are scheduled this weekend as part of Connecticut Trails Day on Saturday and Sunday, making Connecticut the most active state participating in the National Trails Day.
Connecticut’s events are overseen by the Connecticut Forest Park Association and the national event is organized by the American Hiking Society.
People should wear sturdy shoes, dress for ticks and bring water bottles, snacks and bug repellent. Registration is not required for most, unless specifically noted.
A complete list of hikes and events is available on the association’s website, but here’s a roundup of Danbury area events:
The 1.5-mile nature walk on The Franc Preserve sponsored by Bethel Land Trust, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, starts at the parking lot, which is on the dirt road just off Old Hawleyville Road past the intersection of Old Hawleyville and Plumtrees Road.
The 3-mile fitness walk at Ketchum Trailhead — sponsored by Bridgewater Recreation Commission —will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, at Yellow Marker #220, across the road from 280 Christian St.
It then goes to Marker
#74, then White trail Marker #69 and back. The trail has several up and down hills. It should end around
11 a.m. The rain date is Sunday. ⏩ Exhibits from local nature and conservation groups will be along the path of the 2-mile educational walk on the Still River Greenway, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Park at the Brookfield Town Hall parking lot. The main trailhead is by the police station. Rain cancels the event, which is sponsored by Brookfield Conservation Commission/ Brookfield Open Space Legacy.
⏩ Another hike, this one a 2-mile last chance hike at Happy Landings sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter - Appalachian Mountain Club, is planned for 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The easy walk starts at the dirt parking lot near 56 Whisconier Road. Rain cancels the event.
Volunteers will have several trails projects to choose from at Tarrywile Park during its trail maintenance event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Tools and water will be provided but participants should bring gloves if they wish. Park in the Tarrywile Park lower parking lot, 70 Southern Blvd., and follow the path to the Red Barn Environmental Center to sign in. Rain cancels the event.
Registration is recommended. It is sponsored by Tarrywile Park Authority. ⏩ Participants will search for wildflowers during this
2-mile educational walk at the Audrey and Robert Tobin Preserve from 9:30 to
11 a.m. Saturday.
Bring a wildflower guide if you have one. Follow the unpaved Dugan Road all the way to the end, passing the preserve kiosk on the way to the parking lot.
Registration is required. It is sponsored by Kent Land Trust.
⏩ Dave Paton will discuss basic mushroom identification and stories on a 1.5mile educational walk sponsored by Pond Mountain Trust at Pond Mountain Natural Area from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Park at the area’s parking lot, 110 Fuller Mountain Road.
Registration is required.
A guided tour goes through Great Hollow Nature Preserve and neighboring Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area.
The 3.5-mile hike at Great Hollow Nature Preserve, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, can be challenging in some areas and features both steep uphill and downhill terrain. Bring a light snack/lunch and water to the hike, which should take between two and three hours and is sponsored by Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust.
Meet at Great Hollow, 225 State Route 37, and carpool over to the Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area trailhead off of Old Stage Coach Road. ⏩ A guided 3-mile hike up Bear Hill, beginning from New Milford’s Nostrand Trail parking area on Squire Hill Road will be held Saturday.
The 9 a.m. to noon hike will follow a brief introduction and recognition of recent conservation easement donors. The hike is considered challenging.
Registration is required. The rain date is Sunday for the Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust-sponsored event.
⏩ The 2-mile history tour downtown from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday — sponsored by the New Milford River Trail Association — will explore New Milford’s agricultural and industrial history. The rain date is Sunday.
This is a loop walk — from West Street to Hidden Treasures Park — that includes mostly level paved or dirt surfaces. There will be a short clean-up at the park before walking back to the starting point. Participants should bring a pair of gloves. Meet at the New Milford Chamber of Commerce, 11 Railroad St.
⏩ The 3.5-mile hike and casual nature walk at Pratt Nature Center, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, will follow Pratt’s white trial to the summit of Mt. Tom.
The trail is steep in sections but manageable and takes about two hours. A casual nature walk will also be held through the property's lower fields. Participants should meet in front of Pratt's main house, directly across from the parking lot at 163 Paper Mill Road.
Registration is recommended. ⏩ Participants will see Newtown Forest Association's recent purchase of the former Cherry Grove Farm during a 2-mile walk at Cherry Grove Farm from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
A parking area is on Palestine Road. Rain cancels the event.
Registration is appreciated.
A 3.5-mile hike on Mary Ann Guitar Preserve / Stormfield Natural Area will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The group will connect to Sandy's Trail, cross a field and loop to the Harp and Captain's Trail in the Stormfield Natural Area. Meet at the bend in Fox Run Road, at the entrance to Stormfield, south of Diamond Hill Road. The group will then carpool to start of hike at Old Mail Coach Road.
Registration is recommended. It’s sponsored by Redding Conservation Commission and Redding Land Trust. ⏩ The easy 0.3-mile walk on Joey’s Trail, from 9 a.m. to noon, will look at the flora and fauna. Meet at the Roxbury Senior Center parking lot, at 7 South St. Joey's Trail entrance is across the field. Rain cancels the event.
It’s sponsored by Roxbury Conservation Commission.
⏩ The 2-mile walk and talk at Brian E. Tierney Preserve, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, will be canceled in case of rain. Meet at the parking lot off Squire Road.
Registration is recommended. It’s sponsored by Roxbury Land Trust. ⏩ The 4-mile hike from Herrick Trail to Bulls Bridge, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, goes from Evans Hill Road in Sherman to Bull's Bridge in Kent via the Herrick and Appalachian Trails.
Participants should bring a snack. A hike from the trailhead to the overlook and back is about one hour for a shorter version. The Herrick trailhead is located opposite 25 Evans Hill Road. Parking is along the road. Rain cancels the event.
Registration is required. It’s sponsored by Naromi Land Trust Inc.
⏩ The 4-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, is from Rt. 55 to Ten Mile campground and shelter.
Optional side trip via Herrick Trail to bluff overlooking Ten Mile and Housatonic Rivers. The group will proceed north to Bulls Bridge. Bring a lunch and drink. Meet at the Appalachian Trail parking lot, Rt. 55 on the CT/NY border. The rain date is Sunday. ⏩ A 4-mile hike of the Blue Trail at Bassett Preserve and the White Trail at Ivers Preserve will take place between 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Meet at the end of the cul-de-sac on Turrill Brook Drive. Rain cancels the event.
It’s sponsored by the Southbury Land Trust.
⏩ The 3-mile Pomperaug Trail hike from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday will start from the main gate of Kettletown State Park south to the lower junction with the Crest Trail and back.
Not stroller friendly. Meet at the main park gate at 1400 Georges Hill Road. Rain cancels the event.
Registration is recommended. It’s sponsored by Connecticut Forest & Park Association.
⏩ There will also be 2-mile loop hike of the Miller Trail at Kettletown State Park from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, this one also sponsored by the state association. Not stroller friendly. Meet at the trail head for the Miller Trail at 1400 Georges Hill Road. Rain cancels the event.
Registration is recommended.
⏩ The 3-mile hike at Audubon Bent of the River, from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, is easy to moderate with a few steep spots but navigable by most. Pariticipants are encouraged to bring binoculars. Meet at 185 E Flat Hill Road about 10 minutes early. Rain cancels the event.
It’s sponsored by Audubon Bent of the River. ⏩ The 0.5-mile heritage walk at the Institute for American Indian Studies, from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, will discuss the history and culture of local tribal peoples, medicinal plants, their community life and spirituality.
Meet in front of the museum, 38 Curtis Road. Registration is recommended. ⏩ The 3.5-mile hike at Steep Rock Preserve, from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday has several inclines and declines that are mostly gradual. Participants should meet at the parking lot adjacent to the Riding Ring located at 2 Tunnel Road.
Registration is recommended. It’s sponsored by Steep Rock Association.