Keeping social distances in our current environment is wise and responsible. And while outdoor activities in your yard are great, you may need to venture off the beaten path now and again. We’ve rounded up some lesser known but beautiful spots to explore in and around Fairfield County. So when the bandwidth can’t handle the load and you’ve counted the grass blades in the front and backyard, get out and take a hike!
Westport:
Newman-Pose Preserve - Hike through woodland, wetland, and open fields with a trail along the Aspetuck River
Haskins Preserve – Explore the 22 acre hilly property off Compo Road South (Barons South)
Sherwood Island – Admire over 200 acres of woodlands, wetlands and sandy beach on the Long Island Sound. It is in the Green’s Farms area of Westport CT, off exit 18. Guaranteed to be less crowded than Compo Beach and truly a beautiful state park.
Wilton:
Weir Farm National Park for Art - Enjoy the beauty of this rural New England landscape or bring a sketch pad and create your own. Inspiring artists since 1882, this 68 acre site can fulfill creative and outdoor time!
Weston:
Devils Den Preserve - Straddling the towns of Weston and Redding, this 1,756 acre preserve offers 20 miles of trails
Redding:
Topstone Park - A mostly flat nature trail circles a charming pond. Trail is free to visitors but there is a fee for swimming (dogs + people!)
Norwalk:
Cranberry Park – Bring Fido along for a walk within the 227 acre park of woodland trails and orchards.
Norwalk Valley River Trail - The NRVT traverses urban and woodland settings both on- and off-road segments, which are in varying stages of completion. Starting at Calf Pasture Beach, the trail passes through SoNo and Norwalk Center. Hike, bike or run – 1.5 miles are now complete (soon to be 5 contiguous miles). Check out other sections of the trail open in Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield and Danbury too.
Branford/Stony Creek
The Trolley Trail - No matter the season, the century old Trolley Trail and adjacent 15-acre wooded Goss and Vedder preserve is a true hidden gem along the Connecticut shoreline with breathtaking views of Long Island Sound and the Thimble Islands.
Hamden:
Sleeping Giant State Park - enough trails to keep hikers coming back again and again, including a 1 1/2 mile scenic trail that leads to the peak of Mt. Carmel and offers stunning views of the greater New Haven area and Long Island Sound.
Milford:
Silver Sands State Park – boardwalk runs along Long Island Sound for approx. 2 miles. The park also offers walking trails that crisscross tidal marshes and dunes. And twice a day during low tide, you can make the 2½-mile loop out to Charles Island and back.
New Haven:
East Rock – 427 acre park with over 10 miles of trail, including a hike to the summit at 365 feet where you will find the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and spectacular views.
Bethel:
Putnam Memorial State Park – site of the winter encampment of General Putnam’s Northern Brigades of the Continental Army in 1778-9. On a self-guided walking tour (< 1 mile), you can see the remains of the gunpowder magazine and soldiers’ huts and reconstructions of the guardhouse and officers’ barracks. History and outdoor time — win, win!