If there’s one thing about Connecticut is that it’s a very small state, but it is filled with incredible hiking opportunities.
Picture: Rolling hills, streaming waters, and lush trees. It’s safe to say hiking in Connecticut will certainly not disappoint.
The state’s residents and visitors alike have found relaxation and exercise among the many trails throughout the state. And our corner of the state, Fairfield County also has some great hiking, despite the density. Read on for some of the best hiking trails in Fairfield County.
What’s great about many of these trails is that they’re great not just for those who enjoy a walk, but they’re also fit for hikers and bikers. Some of these hikes are even open to pets, and most are free of cost.
Whether you enjoy a challenging uphill hike or a leisurely, smooth walk, Fairfield County has anything you need. The preserves, mountains, and state parks will leave you wanting to go back up for another round.
Without further ado, here are some of the best hikes in Fairfield County.
Map design by Stanton House Inn with elements from Flaticon
Lake Mohegan Loop
Lake Mohegan Loop is considered one of the best trails in the state. With its 2.5-mile loop hike, you’ll be taken by a waterfall, providing a scenic and enjoyable experience for hikers. The trail is located within the Lake Mohegan Recreation Area, which encompasses a total of 170.4 acres of open space. You’ll never find this trail not well-maintained or accessible for all. The Parks and Recreation Commission manages this area diligently and carefully.
Hikers on the Lake Mohegan Loop trail can enjoy the beauty of nature, including views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. The trail is family-friendly, making it suitable for hikers of all ages and skill levels. Simply put: It’s a really phenomenal trail for anyone looking for a relatively short and pleasant hike.
In addition to its incredible trails, the Lake Mohegan Recreation Area offers a beach, picnic areas, and a playground. You can spend your whole day on the grounds and not get bored once!
Connecticut Audubon Society Country Lane Trail
The Connecticut Audubon Society Country Lane Trail is a must-visit trail in Fairfield County, whether you’re a local or a tourist. This trail boasts a 1.9-mile loop suitable for hikers of all skill levels.
Something else that’s really special about this trail is its ability for birdwatching and cross-country skiing. During the day, it provides such a quiet and tranquil ambiance. It’s great for anyone on the grounds to enjoy the nature and find a sense of peace.
As the name suggests, the Connecticut Audubon Society Country Lane Trail is known for its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife.
Visitors can enjoy birdwatching as the trail is a great spot for observing various bird species. The trail also passes through areas with colorful wildflowers. Basically, it provides a bright and picturesque landscape, promoting relaxation.
The Connecticut Audubon Society Country Lane Trail offers an easy route and relatively short length. This allows beginners and experienced hikers to enjoy the trail and complete it in around 30 minutes.
Brett Woods Yellow Loop
The Brett Woods Yellow Loop is considered one of the easier trails in Fairfield, CT. This 1.8-mile loop trail near Fairfield, Connecticut, takes an average of 45 minutes to complete. This makes the trail suitable for a quick outdoor getaway or a leisurely stroll through nature.
One of the highlights of the Brett Woods Yellow Loop is its scenic beauty. The trail takes you by a lake, allowing you to sit a spell next to the sounds of water and its wildlife.
For a convenient and enjoyable outdoor experience in Fairfield, the Brett Woods Yellow Loop is worth exploring.
Samp Mortar and Mountain Laurel
One of the shorter hikes in the area, Samp Mortar and Mountain Laurel is a popular hiking trail known for its scenic beauty and accessibility. At 1.5 miles long, this well-maintained trail is relatively easy, making it a good option for beginner and intermediate hikers.
The trail is beautiful for many reasons, but the flowers along the edge make it namely beautiful. With colors dotting your path, you’ll feel like you’re in a private getaway, save for the small animals you may spot in the area.
The scenic overlook shares views of southwestern Connecticut’s rolling hills and woodlands. So, don’t forget to bring along your camera or binoculars to make this hike a well-rounded experience.
Another feature of the trail worth noting is the trail markers that help visitors navigate the trail quickly and easily. There is also ample parking available at the trailhead, making it convenient to start and end your hike. And the trail’s proximity to the city of Fairfield makes it easy to hop into town to grab a bite to eat after a day of exploring.
Grace Richardson Loop
The Grace Richardson Loop is another very accessible hike with a 1.7-mile-long loop that takes about 45 minutes to complete.
One of the key benefits of the Grace Richardson Loop is the opportunity to immerse oneself in nature while enjoying solitude. It is unlikely that you will encounter many other people on the trail, providing a peaceful and tranquil hiking experience. This seclusion allows hikers to connect with nature and enjoy the serenity of the surroundings.
Whether you are looking for a light stroll or a more energetic hike, the Grace Richardson Loop can accommodate.
A big plus for dog lovers: Your furry friends are also welcome on this trail, so long as they stay on their leash and are picked up after.
Pequonnock River Trail
The Pequonnock River Trail is a series of connected paths from Bridgeport to Monroe. It follows the old Housatonic Railroad line. The trail was built in 2001 from existing paths that grew independently along the former railroad line. The trail is being built to connect Seaside Park in Bridgeport to Trumbull and Monroe.
Norwalk River Valley Trail
This 30-mile trail connects Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, CT, to Rogers Park in Danbury, CT. All the while, it passes through Wilton, Ridgefield, and Redding. This multi-use trail is perfect for hikers of all skill levels, with off-road and on-road sections.
Be ready: the Norwalk River Valley Trail hike is tough and will tire you out. On average, it takes about 3 and a half hours to finish.
Whether you’re looking for a hike, walk, or jog, you’ll be able to spend your afternoon in the depths of nature. Because of its size, too, it’s unlikely you’ll come across many people on this trail either.
Mianus River State Park
Mianus River State Park, located between Greenwich and Stamford, is a great place to get away from the city. The park spans 527 acres and combines shopping, dining, and art with the breathtaking serenity of nature. Mianus River State Park is named after Chief Sachem Myn Myano. He lived on the land from the New York-Connecticut border south to Cos Cob and the Long Island Sound until the mid-1660s.
The park is well-known for having some of the best hiking trails in Fairfield County. The river makes fishing easy, as well as providing chances to see local wildlife. Treetops State Park is also nearby, as is the former estate of singer and actress Libby Holman. The Mianus River Gorge Preserve, and the Mianus River Scenic Reserve are among the other parks for hiking along the Mianus River.
Greenwich Audubon Center
In 1943, the National Audubon Society made the Greenwich Audubon Center, their first teaching facility in the US. The center has 285 acres of land. It is home to many native plants and animals. There are also miles of trails, conservation events, and nature education programs. Aside from hiking, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like:
- Birdwatching
- Exploring the Kimberlin Nature Education Center
At the center, you can find many different ecosystems like open fields, thickets, and woods with oak, beech, and maple trees. Mead Lake, shrub swamps, vernal pools, Indian Spring Pond, red maple swamps, and a small grove of hemlock trees add to the diversity.
You can explore some of the best hiking trails in Fairfield County and a hawk watch site at the Greenwich Audubon Center. There is a 1.8-mile loop trail, the Old Pasture and Lake Loop trail, and the Lake Mead Loop trail. You can also visit the Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch site. The center also oversees seven Audubon nature preserves totaling 686 acres in Greenwich. Every day of the year, visitors can enjoy the tranquil beauty of these nature preserves.
Montgomery Pinetum
Montgomery Pinetum is a beautiful park and trail in Greenwich, Connecticut. It has a rich history and natural beauty aplenty. In 1928, Colonel Robert H. Montgomery and his wife purchased the park, which began as a Wild Acres Estate in 1880. The estate was created for sharing the Colonel’s passion for nature and his collection of conifers, called the “pinetum.”
The main attraction at Montgomery Pinetum is the Greenwich Botanical Center. The center focuses on agriculture, conservation, and the arts. Mildred Bedard Caldwell Wildlife Sanctuary, Pomerance Park, and Mianus River State Park are all connected to the park.
Keep exploring more ways to get out and explore Fairfield County, CT
Not ready to go back inside quite yet?
There’s plenty more to do around here! A few more things to explore in Fairfield County, Connecticut, include some of our more well-known towns. In fact, you’ll find even more of the best hiking trails in Fairfield County in:
- Hit the hiking trails in Greenwich, Connecticut, closer to our home turf
- Some of the hiking trails nearby make the list of the best things to do in Stamford
Or read our guide to the best hiking trails throughout the state of Connecticut.
