Hiking by Town Bear Mountain – Salisbury, CT at 2,380 Feet, Bear Mountain Is the Tallest Peak in Connecticut
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Hiking by Town Bear Mountain – Salisbury, CT At 2,380 feet, Bear Mountain is the tallest peak in Connecticut. This 5.5-mile hike is long and difficult but very rewarding. You should be in fairly good shape to attempt Bear Mountain. Just remember, the turtle wins the race. Go slow and stop often and this summit is surmountable. From the White Hart Inn, travel north on Rt. 41 for 3.1 miles. The dirt parking lot is on your left and marked as “Under Mountain Trail.” Trail maps are available at trail entrance. Allow 4-5 hours for this hike. Mount Riga - Salisbury, CT Turn West at the fountain next to the Salisbury Town Hall and follow the signs to Mount Riga. Beyond the gate the dirt road is closed to cars during the winter, but for walking or X-Country skiing it is open the year round. After 2 1/2 miles the road levels off and you pass beautiful waterfalls on your right and shortly after that on your left remnants of a 19th century blast furnace. Soon after that you come to the South or Forge Pond, (which is privately owned). Here Mount Washington Road begins and runs to the Massachusetts State Line (3 miles).There are no views, but side trails branch off to Bald Peak, Brace Mountain and Bear Mountain. These are marked by "HIKING TRAIL" signs. From Bald Peak (8), only about 1/4 mile, there are good views of Salisbury. The trail to Brace Mountain (24) is about 2 miles and there are spectacular views into New York and the Harlem Valley. Just beyond the Massachusetts State line, 3 miles from the lake a red blazed trail leads West down a wood road (this is private land).From there it is about 2 miles to the South Taconic Trail North of Brace Mountain. You first cross Round Mountain, Connecticut (2296'), from which you will have a 360- degree panoramic view, and also Mount Frissell, Massachusetts (2453')(27). There you pass the highest point in Connecticut, (2380') marked by a cairn on the south shoulder. You will also pass by the point where the three states, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York meet (even though "Connecticut" was never chiseled into the stone marker). Railroad Ramble Bike Trail – Salisbury, CT Since this is a former Railroad right-of-way it is also an easy walking path, about 2 miles long. The terrain consists of a variety of wildlife habitats: swamp, a pine grove, woodland and a fair sized-pond. This diversity invites a large variety of fauna -- some 95 species of birds, 10 mammals, four reptiles and 5 amphibians have been seen there. The trail is a bit bumpy if you are taking a bike. Enter this trail in Lakeville next to the Ball Fields and Gas Station, or enter on Library Street in Salisbury. Lions Head- Salisbury, CT Lion’s Head is more of a family hike, albeit an active family. This hike is topped by beautiful northeastern views of Twin Lakes, the Berkshires and the Litchfield Hills. From Salisbury, take Factory Street, which is located to the left of Town Hall. This road changes into Bunker Hill and will take you up most of the mountain. The road splits twice, both times stay to your right. At the end of the paved road there will be a large field on your right. The dirt parking lot is at the end of the field. The trail leaves directly from the parking lot. Allow 1.5 hours to reach the summit. Bull’s (Covered) Bridge River Walk – Kent, CT Bulls Bridge is a wonderful hiking trail(s) with waterfalls, rapids, and a small gorge. Part of the trail passes through the Appalachian Trail. From Salisbury head South on CT-41 to CT-44. Turn left to Cornwall Bridge and connect to Rt 7. The Bridge will be on your right while entering South Kent at the traffic light. Kent Falls State Park – Kent, CT Kent Falls State Park truly is for the whole family. There is a wide meadow with grills, picnic tables and bathrooms. The most spectacular section of the falls is located near the parking lot. There are newly renovated hiking trails if some of the family would like to explore more of the park. Kent Falls is conveniently located on Route 7 in Kent. Macedonia Brook State Park – Kent, CT Follow Route 341 west from the intersection of Route 341 and Route 7 in the center of Kent. Turn right onto Macedonia Brook Road. Stay left at the intersection of Macedonia Brook and Fuller Mountain Roads. Look for park signs. Mohawk State Park – Cornwall, CT A section of the Mohawk Trail provides hikers with interesting views and an occasional glimpse of deer, fox or bobcat. Both stream and pond fishing are popular within the forest. Multiple use of trails includes over ten miles devoted to snowmobiles when the snow depth is 6 inches or more. Take Route 7 south onto Route 63 south to the rotary in Goshen, then Route 4 west to Mohawk State Forest. Campbell Falls – Norfolk, CT Campbell Falls State Park is a natural reserve area with no developed facilities. Follow Route 272 north from Norfolk center. Take a left onto Old Spaulding Road. The park is on the right . Dennis Hill State Park – Norfolk, CT From November first through the third weekend in April, this park is a "walk-in" facility with limited parking available at the entrance. The interior road of the park is open to vehicles from the third weekend in April until November first. From the South – Greater Danbury area: travel north on Route 7 into Canaan and take a right heading east on Route 44, then take a right onto Route 272 south. The park will be on the left. Haystack Mountain – Norfolk, CT From November first through the third weekend in April, this park is a "walk-in" facility with limited parking available at the entrance. The interior road of the park is open to vehicles from the third weekend in April until November first. The 34 foot high stone tower at the summit of Haystack Mountain (1716 feet above sea level) allows visitors to see the Berkshires, and peaks in Massachusetts, New York, and the Green Mountains of Vermont. A roadway provides access halfway up the mountain. Prominent along the road is a spectacle of foliage in the fall and an outstanding show of mountain laurel in June. From the end of the road there is a rugged half-mile trail to the top. Allow about half an hour for this walk if you are not a seasoned hiker. Travel north on Route 7 into Canaan and take a right heading east on Route 44, then take a left onto Route 272 north. The park will be on the left. Housatonic Meadows State Park – Sharon, CT Located in the rock-strewn valley of the Housatonic River amid the rugged hills of the northwestern uplands, Housatonic Meadows is an ideal setting for a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Camping under the tall pines on the riverbank gives the overnight visitor a genuine back-to-nature feeling. The clear, cold river water also provides a fine opportunity for fly fishermen to test their skills on trout and bass. A two-mile stretch of river (including the park shore) is limited to fly fishing. In 1927 Housatonic Meadows was established as a state park. Travel north on Route 7 into Sharon, CT. The park is located along Route 7 approximately 2 miles north of the intersection with Route 4 and approximately 3 miles south of the West Cornwall Covered Bridge. Sharon Audubon Center – Sharon, CT The Audubon is a nature sanctuary and wildlife preserve with hiking trails. Also take advantage of their excellent educational programs, and maple syrup making facilities in the early spring. The Sharon Audubon Society is located on Route 4 in Sharon, Connecticut Bartholomew’s Cobble - Sheffield, MA Bartholomew’s Cobble is located in Sheffield, Massachusetts. This private reserve has approximately 5 miles of moderate hiking trails. The cobble is mostly limestone and marble, which alters the soil and creates a unique environment that supports a wide variety of flora. You can either hike up Hurlbut’s trail for scenic overview of the area, or hike the low lying trails along the Housatonic. There is an admission fee. Dogs are not allowed. .