Hikes

This page and the trails listed below are those that appear in the CFPA’s Walk Books. This all you really need to have years of hiking enjoyment, but since this is CMTQ, I have other pages for other hikes and trails:

For CT’s many (MANY) other non-CFPA hiking trails, Go here.
For all non-CT hiking, peak-bagging and state highpointing, Go here.
For other Historic, Artistic and Cultural type trails Go Here.
For Oenophilic, Food and Beverage Trails, Go Here.

There are well over 800 miles of blue-blazed hiking trails in many different towns in little ol’ 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 wasn’t when I first wrote that last sentence in 2007. There are a few popping up here and there now in 2013.)

There exists something called the Connecticut 400 Club which recognizes those who have hiked all the CFPA 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.

They’ve now added an online map in 2013 as well! Check it out.

NET refers to the MMM New England National Scenic Trail

The 10 highest peaks in Connecticut – and my climbs of them.

My list of CT hiking links is here.

CFPA 400

…………………………………………………….

Completed:

American Legion Trails, 9/9/2007
Case Mountain Trail Network, 11/24/2007
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
Jericho Trail, 5/18/2009
Kettletown State Park Trails, 4/14/2009
Lillinonah Trail, 12/9/2007
Lone Pine Trail, 8/1/2008
The Mattabesett Trail, 5/23/2008 – 11/9/2008 (NET)
McLean Refuge Game Trails, 10/12 – 13/2008
Muir Trail, 9/13/2008
Nayantaquit Trail, 7/8/2007
Paugussett Trail, 10/27/2008
People’s Forest Trail Network, 10/7/2007
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
Sunny Valley Preserve Trails, 7/13 – 11/22/2009
The Tunxis Mainline Trail, and Tunxis Area Trails, 2/17/2008 – 10/21/2013
Alain & May White Trails, 9/13/2008
Whitestone Cliffs Trail, 3/31/2009
Wolcott Trail, 9/13/2008
Zoar Trail, 4/14/2009

trail
Accurately edited blaze on the Tunxis Trail in Barkhamsted

…………………………………………………….

In Progress:

Appalachian Trail, 11/11/2011 – ?
Highlawn Forest Trails, 4/17/2009 – ?
Metacomet Trail, 4/29/2007 – ? (NET)
Nipmuck Trail, 7/23/2010 – ?
Pachaug Trail, 12/14/2008 – ?
Quinebaug Trail, 12/14/2008 – ?
Quinnipiac Trail, 10/21/2012 – ?

…………………………………………………….

Not Yet Begun:

Aspetuck Trail
Bigelow Hollow Trail Network
Chatfield Trail
Hatchery Brook Loop Trail
Highlawn Forest Trails
Housatonic Trail
Macedonia Brook Trail
Mattatuck Trail
Menunkatuck Trail (NET)
Mohawk Trail
Narragansett Trail
Nachaug Trail
Naugatuck Trail
Nehantic Trail
Old Furnace
Pequot Trail
Pine Knob Trail
Scoville Loop Trail
Stony Creek Quarry
Westwoods Trail Network

quin
Rainy day on the Quinebaug in Plainfield

…………………………………………………….

CFPA Online Maps.
My list of CT hiking links is here.

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.

22 responses to “Hikes”

  1. Beth says:

    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!

  2. Jen says:

    When 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.

  3. matthew says:

    I saw Airline Trail and assumed you meant the Shoreline Trail. I learn new things everyday.

  4. Ryan says:

    This 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.

  5. Hiking Trails in Connecticut State Parks - (CT) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum says:

    [...] good resource for hikes (and museums) in the area… Hikes at Connecticut Museum Quest [+] Rate this post [...]

  6. Ryan says:

    I 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

  7. Robin says:

    http://www.discoveramerica.com/ca/connecticut/overview.html

    INTERESTING WEBSITE….

  8. crust says:

    two 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.
    Close to the Airline Rail Trail.

  9. Ty says:

    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!

  10. Nathan says:

    Hi 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,
    Nathan

  11. Steve says:

    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!

  12. Mike says:

    re 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.

  13. Steve says:

    Thanks, 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.

  14. Russ Cohen says:

    FYI 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
    http://users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm

  15. Art Byram says:

    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.

  16. APRIL PRETE says:

    Are there any actual clubs? I am a beginner and would like to join.
    My aunt and uncle have both received 400 mile certificate and in their honor . I would like to attempt the same.

  17. Steve says:

    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.

  18. APRIL PRETE says:

    Thank 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.

  19. Eva says:

    I 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.
    Thanks for this info — my family enjoys hiking in CT.

  20. SDIZZY says:

    Ever think about RI’s North South Trail?

    http://mtnramblings.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/rhode-islands-north-south-trail/

  21. Aubri says:

    @ Steve – According to e-mail correspondence with Daryll C. Borst of Quinnipiac University (who I directed to by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association):

    “The Connecticut 400 award was established by the Connecticut Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club in 1976 as recognition of those whose enjoyment of hiking has led them to hike all of the Connecticut Blue-blazed Trail System…To quality, an individual must hike all of the following Connecticut Blue-blazed Trails and any side loops as listed in the current edition of the Connecticut Walk Book, published by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association…These trails may be hiked in any order, in any number of trips necessary, in as many years as necessary. A log listing the trails and dates hiked should be kept. Upon acceptance of your application by the Connecticut 400 Club Committee, you will be awarded a certificate and patch suitable for sleeve or pack.”

    Just as an example of the number of miles listed in the CT Walk book VS. reality: I just finished hiking the Mattabesett Trail. While the book lists it as approximately 56 miles, according to my GPS tracker I ended up hiking 88 miles; many of the listed trail lengths are inaccurate. My guess is that all the Blue trails in CT add up to more than 800 miles in actuality…

  22. Glenn Ellett says:

    finished the 792 miles listed in the edition at the time about nine years ago with my friends and hiking buddies john and kelly on my fiftieth birthday. never got around to registering though.

Leave a Comment