Hikes
For CT’s many other non-CFPA hiking trails, Go here.
For all non-CT hiking, peak-bagging and highpointing, Go here.
For other Historic, Artistic and Cultural type trails Go Here.
For Oenophilic, Food and Beverage Trails, Go Here.
There are over 800 miles of blue-blazed hiking trails in 88 different towns in little Connecticut. A 52 mile section of the Appalachian Trail also cuts across the Northwest corner of the state. I love hiking, lists, and writing… Soooo, why not try to hike them all? And take a bunch of pictures and document it all here for you – since it sounds fun and there really is not a comparable resource on the Internet that I’m aware of.
There exists something called the Connecticut 400 Club which recognizes those who have hiked all the major trails of Connecticut. Since the “Club’s” inception, over 400 more miles have been added to the task, but no one bothered to change the name. I shall join the club with the terribly inaccurate name. (Note: in 2008 it was determined the total amount is 825 miles, but is still growing – My work is never done.)
This is an interesting read; a NYT article about the CT 400 when it was only the CT 400(500) not the 800+ it is today.
The Connecticut Forest and Parks Association not only maintains our trails wonderfully, they also maintain a great website with tons of good resource material on CT’s hiking and natural resources. Like, the blue-blazed trails! And much, much more.
There are also a TON of other well-maintained trails throughout the state; many are in various town land trusts but others are just scattered in preserves and state parks. To hike and document them all would be impossible, but I will be doing a bunch of these non CT400(825) trails as well. As there is no official list, it will be a work in progress.
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The listing convention follows the CFPA Walk Book convention. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but it more or less works. Trails I’ve completed are linked and bolded, trails begun but not completed are linked and are unbolded.
NET refers to the MMM New England National Scenic Trail
CFPA 400
Aspetuck Trail
American Legion Trails, 9/9/2007
Appalachian Trail, 11/11/2011 – ?
Bigelow Hollow Trail Network
Case Mountain Trail Network, 11/24/2007
CFPA Demonstration Forest Trails, 4/17/2009
Chatfield Trail
Cockaponset Trail and Cockaponset Forest Side Trails, 3/15/2009
Falls Brook Trail, 1/19/2008
Gay City Trail Network, 6/15/2009 & 6/24/2009
Hancock Brook Trail, 3/31/2009
Housatonic Trail
Jericho Trail, 5/18/2009
Kettletown State Park Trails, 4/14/2009
Lillinonah Trail, 12/9/2007
Lone Pine Trail, 8/1/2008
Macedonia Brook Trail
The Mattabesett Trail, 5/23/2008 – 11/9/2008 (NET)
Mattatuck Trail
McLean Refuge Game Trails, 10/12 – 13/2008
Menunkatuck Trail (NET)
Metacomet Trail, 4/29/2007 – ? (NET)
Mohawk Trail
Muir Trail, 9/13/2008
Narragansett Trail
Nachaug Trail
Naugatuck Trail
Nayantaquit Trail, 7/8/2007
Nehantic Trail
Nipmuck Trail, 7/23/2010 – ?
Old Furnace
Pachaug Trail, 12/14/2008 – ?
Paugussett Trail, 10/27/2008
People’s Forest Trail Network, 10/7/2007
Pequot Trail
Pine Knob Trail
Pomperaug Trail, 1/14/2012-9/16/2012
Quinebaug Trail, 12/14/2008 – ?
Quinnipiac Trail, 10/21/2012 – ?
Ragged Mountain Trail, 2009-2010
Regicides Trail, 1/6/2008
Salmon River Trail, 8/19/2007
Saugatuck Trail, 12/9/2007
Shenipsit Trail, and Shenipsit Area Trails, 11/24/07 – 5/16/2010
Sleeping Giant State Park Trail Network, 12/23/2010 – 10/21/2012
Stony Creek Quarry
Sunny Valley Preserve Trails, 7/13 – 11/22/2009
The Tunxis Mainline Trail, and Tunxis Area Trails, 2/17/2008 – ?
Westwoods Trail Network
Alain & May White Trails, 9/13/2008
Whitestone Cliffs Trail, 3/31/2009
Wolcott Trail, 9/13/2008
Zoar Trail, 4/14/2009
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For CT’s many other non-CFPA hiking trails, Go here.
For other Historic, Artistic and Oenophilic type trails Go Here.
For all non-CT hiking, peak-bagging and highpointing, Go here.
Have you looked into the Airline Rail Trail…… still being developed, but beautiful area- hey I have to brag a little- we don’t have much east of the river!
http://pages.cthome.net/mbartel/ARRhome.htm
Comment #1 on 07.21.08 at 9:31 pmWhen I first read Rochambeau Trail I thought R0-cham-bo trail? Someone’s developed a nature trail based on the principles of Rock-Paper-Scissors? Awesome! But alas, it is some French general or other.
Comment #2 on 09.26.08 at 10:22 amI saw Airline Trail and assumed you meant the Shoreline Trail. I learn new things everyday.
Comment #3 on 12.17.08 at 7:42 amThis is really cool. I too am trying to complete the 50 trails that make up the CT 400 Club. I only have 14 trails complete but several trails are nearing completion such as the Mattabesette Trail, AT, and Quinnipiac. All of the trails I’ve completed have been solo hikes. Unfortunately it’s taking me a long time to complete these trails. Once you walk 10 miles you must walk 10 miles back to your car. I wish I could hike 20 miles in one direction and complete the trail in one shot.
Comment #4 on 04.14.09 at 3:55 pm[...] good resource for hikes (and museums) in the area… Hikes at Connecticut Museum Quest [+] Rate this post [...]
Comment #5 on 05.05.09 at 5:15 pmI haven’t heard from you in a while so I doubt my gmail account isn’t sending mail out try my new comcast e-mail address.
I may be able to help you on a few of your hikes without actually hiking with you. I work M-F at Connecticut College and get out at 2:30. I could pick you up at trail heads and bring you back to your car on some of these trails. Mainly the trails located in Southeastern CT.
Let me know…
Ryan
Comment #6 on 05.06.09 at 3:21 pmhttp://www.discoveramerica.com/ca/connecticut/overview.html
INTERESTING WEBSITE….
Comment #7 on 06.22.09 at 12:16 pmtwo nice trails in Masamoquet Park Pomfret,with cool stops, the actual wolf den where Isreal Putman killed the last wolf in Ct. and nice rock formations, one known as Indian Chair.
Comment #8 on 10.15.09 at 1:44 pmClose to the Airline Rail Trail.
I would think I am the only visitor that looks at your site and reads your hikes to try and find new undeveloped boulders and cliffs to climb. In CT most of the cliffs have been dicovered for climbing, but there are a lot of boulders that have remained under the radar which are right on or next to hiking trails. I have looked at every picture to try and find boulders in the backround that look good for climbing. Like the pictures on the Tunxis trail helped me find a few new climbs.
I figured I should ask if anyone has seen other cool rock formations on public trails around Bristol? The Mile of ledges has some good rocks tucked back in the woods but I want MORE!
Comment #9 on 02.09.10 at 10:33 amHi guys,
I recently heard about the CT 400 Club and am very interested in it. Does anyone know where I could find more information on it like: rules, required trails to hike, logging hike report, etc. A website or museum where I could find this info would be ideal. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Comment #10 on 03.29.10 at 4:48 pmNathan
Go find and buy the CFPA Walk Books, look at the maps, realize it’s over 800 miles rather than 400, devise a plan… and go walk every inch of every trail described in those two books.
Good luck!
Comment #11 on 03.29.10 at 5:45 pmre the CT 400: Get the info from the CT Walkbook & send SASE to Daryl Borst for the form & further info(address in Walkbook). It is necessary to hike All of the CT Blue Trails & All of the side loops as listed in the current editions of the Walkbook.
For solo hikers join the AMC or GMC & find a hiking partner or two. It makes the point to point hikes much easier with a car spot.
Comment #12 on 04.08.10 at 9:18 amThanks, Mike.
Of course, I’m available with sufficient advance planning to hike end to end sections… esp as I’m getting closer to doing every loop option possible.
Then again, I sometimes do like hiking sections twice (backtracking to car), because they are THAT good.
Comment #13 on 04.08.10 at 9:48 amFYI in case this might interest you and/or others you know:
Foraging Hike at Fisher Meadows, Avon, CT
http://www.newfs.org/learn/catalog/fdt6020
Regards – Russ Cohen
Comment #14 on 05.07.10 at 11:27 amhttp://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm
If you are into trail running, check out the facebook page of Shenipsit Striders. They have a few folks doing end to end runs on the blue blazes.
Comment #15 on 12.08.10 at 10:46 pmAre there any actual clubs? I am a beginner and would like to join.
Comment #16 on 02.26.11 at 9:35 amMy aunt and uncle have both received 400 mile certificate and in their honor . I would like to attempt the same.
April -
There’s not an actual CT 400 Club per se, but the CFPA organizes a TON of group hikes to get you going. Not to mention the other hiking clubs around. Always look out for National Trails Day in June too.
Comment #17 on 02.26.11 at 9:40 amThank you. I will check it out.Is there any particular hiking equiptment I should purchase to get ready? I am sorry to bother you but this will truely be a new experience.
Comment #18 on 02.26.11 at 9:46 amI know you’re talented, but time travel probably isn’t among your skills. (Proofreading is one of mine.) See your completion time frame above for Shenipsit Trail, 5/3/2009 – 5/16/2001.
Comment #19 on 03.05.12 at 8:58 amThanks for this info — my family enjoys hiking in CT.
Ever think about RI’s North South Trail?
http://mtnramblings.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/rhode-islands-north-south-trail/
Comment #20 on 07.10.12 at 3:52 pm