Local Hike Guide
Although not known for its outdoors, Connecticut has
plenty of options for those willing to look.
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| Bluff Point State Park |
Bluff Point State Park
Distance from Thames: 10-15 minutes
Address: Depot Road, Groton, CT 06340
Description: Bluff Point State Park offers a scenic walk around the Connecticut shoreline. The main loop is about three miles long and runs through the woods and right on the shore. Elevation gain is minimal which makes this hike great for all ages. Wonderful vista views of the Long Island Sound, a beach and great aviation watching as the Groton-New London Airport is nearby. This trail is also a popular horseback riding trail so be on the lookout for horses.
Things to do nearby: The free Submarine Force Museum location at the Groton Sub Base is a wonderful attraction. Mystic is also close by and offers a great array of dining and recreation options.
Distance from Thames: NA
Address: Right on campus
Description: A twenty acre portion of the campus comprises of the Alfred Mitchell Woods. A trail connects Montauk Ave to Ocean Ave and other short trails make for a good short nature walk.
Things to do nearby: Ice cream at Michael's Dairy!
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| Devil's Hopyard State Park |
Devil's Hopyard
State Park
Distance from
Thames: Half Hour
Address: 366
Hopyard Road, East Haddam, CT 06423
Description: A
local gem which has numerous trails.
Highlights include; Chapman Falls, the vista on the orange loop and the
covered bridge. The orange loop is what
I typically will bring students to if I want to test how comfortable they are
with the outdoors. Devil's Hopyard also
has a nice small campground on site.
Things to do
nearby: Gillette Castle State Park is close and offers a feel of England
right here in Connecticut. One of the best and most photographed views of the
Connecticut River is right behind the Castle.
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| Lantern Hill |
Distance from
Thames: Half hour
Address: Trail
head off Wintechog Hill Rd in North Stonington, CT. There is another trailhead nearby at The Two
Trees Inn hotel.
Description:
Lantern Hill is a short and steep hike which has a great payoff with its
views. You will get a serious workout
for this short hike. From the top you
can see Foxwoods Casino, The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and the Lantern Hill
Pond. Lantern Hill is also my favorite
local spot to watch the sunset, it is pretty incredible.
Things to do
nearby: Lantern Hill is owned and maintained
by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and is on their grounds. The tribe owns Foxwoods and the Mashantucket
Pequot Museum which are both minutes away.
The Museum is an underrated and quite massive gem.
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| Mt. Misery |
Distance from
Thames: Half hour
Address: 219
Ekonk Hill Road, Voluntown, CT 06384
Description:
Pachaug State Forest is a great way to escape to a quiet and peaceful part of
Connecticut. Mt. Misery is the main
attraction and offers for a nice after hike.
Pachaug is well known for its old trees and arrange of flowers. A large open field is also great for pick up
recreation.
Things to do
nearby: NA
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| Mt. Higby trip with students from last year |
Mt. Higby
Distance from
Thames: One hour
Address:
Parking area off of Route 66 West Bound in Middlefield, CT
Description:
The trail head is unassuming on the side of Route 66, but this is a great short
and steep hike which takes you on a walk along cliffs. A real hidden gem tucked away in the middle
of the state.
Things to do
nearby: Good hiking options nearby includes; Castle Craig at Hubbard Park and Wadsworth Falls State
Park. Middletown is also close and offers a great mixture of dining and
shopping options, a personal favorite of mine is Wild Bill's which has to be
seen to be believed.
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| Sleeping Giant trip with students from last year |
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| Top of Sleeping Giant |
Distance from
Thames: One hour
Address: 200
Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518, across the street from Quinnipiac
University
Description:
One of the most popular hiking venues in Connecticut is Sleeping Giant State
Park. Sleeping Giant offers diverse
trails for all skill levels and great views of New Haven and The Long Island
Sound in the distance from the lookout tower at the top.
Things to do
nearby: Take the fifteen minute drive to New Haven and enjoy the rich
culture, green and numerous world class dining options.
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| View from the summit of Bear Mountain |
Distance from
Thames: Two hours
Address: There
are two main trailheads, one off of Undermountain Rd and the other off of
Bunker Hill Rd in Salisbury, CT. I
prefer the hike from Bunker Hill Road as it provides an opportunity to be on
the Appalachian Trail a little bit long and see Lion's Head, a beautiful
vista.
Description:
Bear Mountain is not a local hike, however, it is my favorite in
Connecticut. It is buried in the quiet
portion of the state and although the trail is busy on weekends, it is quiet
and peaceful in the off season. Bear Mountain
has multiple trails which will take you to the highest peak in
Connecticut. False summits near the top
result in wonderful and seemingly never ending views. Whichever trail you take though, will take
you at least three miles and about 1,000+ feet of elevation to get to the top,
this means the hike is a pretty difficult one.
Things to do
nearby: Great hiking options are close which include; Mt Frissel (highest
point in CT), Bash Bish Falls (located in NY/MA) and Brace Mountain.
By Chris Scott
