Family Hike Recommendations There are some great nearby hiking trails just waiting to be explored! To get your family started on the right foot, REI employees have selected some of their favorites below. Be sure to bring these necessities along in your daypack: • Drinking water • Sunscreen • Lunch or snacks • First-aid kit • Extra clothing layers • Insect repellent • Map and compass • Whistle • Sunglasses • Headlamp or flashlight Hike it Respect it For a complete day hiking checklist, visit Expert Advice on REI.com. Here Are Five of Our Favorite Kid-Friendly Local Hikes Hike One: Wadsworth Falls State Hike Description: Park visitors can walk along numerous well-marked and maintained trails to experience Park Wadsworth Falls’ nature and history. Trails vary in length so customize your hike and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Visit the spectacular waterfall created by early settlers to power waterwheels at the Rating: Easy park’s south end. Ruins from some of the original buildings, where everything from nails to textiles was Distance: Varies, moderate elevation gain. once manufactured, are visible today. Or walk along the cool river and stop for a picnic while enjoying the pleasant backdrop. The park also features a man-made swimming pond where nozzles created from Why this hike: With miles of trails, natural wells shoot water and create a swirling effect. During the fall, hike through the park while taking in the beauty and a rich history, this is an ideal colors of autumn. park for family hikes and outings. Directions: From downtown Hartford take I-91 south onto Route 9 south. Follow Route 9 south to Middle- town. Take the Middletown-Meriden exit (Exit 15) onto Route 66. Stay on Route 66 through Middletown for several traffic lights, and look for the signs for Wadsworth Falls State Park and Route 157 at a traffic light near Walgreen's Pharmacy. Take a left onto Route 157. Wadsworth Falls State Park will be on the left. Tips: Parking fees range from $5 to $10 and vary from weekdays to weekends to holidays. Fees also vary for in- and out-of-state visitors. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Hike Two: Air Line State Park Trail Hike Description: The entire Air Line State Park Trail is over 50 miles long. This stretch of trail is the first section of the larger trail system and features sweeping views of eastern Connecticut’s hills and valleys, Rating: Easy to moderate fascinating geology and rich foliage. Begin at Smith Street in East Hampton. From here the trail travels Distance: 2.5 miles one way, moderate southeast for about 1.5 miles, where it crosses picturesque Flat Brook. The trail continues on for another elevation gain. mile and ends at the Colchester town line. Why this hike: Stretching from East Directions: From Route 2 take Exit 13 to Route 66 west. Follow Route 66 west into East Hampton and turn Hampton all the way to the Massachusetts left onto Lakeview Street. Turn left onto Flanders Road, then right onto Smith Street. The trail can be border in East Thompson, the Air Line State accessed approximately 0.2 miles from the intersection of Smith Street and Flanders Road. Park Trail is a mecca for hiking, biking and Tips: This trail is used by cyclists, runners, and hikers. Dogs on leashes are allowed. The trail is open from horseback riding in eastern Connecticut. dawn until dusk. Hike Three: Bigelow Hollow State Hike Description: Hikers will find several trails of varying lengths throughout the forested park. Shorter Park loop hikes can be found in the park’s west side. Three large ponds serve as main attractions, and popular activities on these waterways include boating, fishing and even scuba diving. One of the nicest areas to Rating: Moderate to difficult visit is a spot called "The Point" located off the Mashapaug Pond View Trail. The Point is a great place to Distance: Varies, some elevation gain. picnic or take in the remarkably clear water. Throughout the park, hikers will enjoy the contrast of rock, water and a combination of deciduous and evergreen woodland. Why this hike: With more than 9,600 acres of land offered by Bigelow State Park and Driving Directions: From I-84 take Exit 73 or 74, then follow Route 190 north to Route 171 east to the park the adjoining Nipmuck State Forest, this entrance. park offers plenty of space for recreation Tips: The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. There is a parking fee on weekends and holidays. in eastern Connecticut. For cars with in-state plates the fee is $7; for out-of-state vehicles the fee is $10. Hike Four: People’s State Forest Hike Description: Tucked away in the hills of the forest are numerous hiking trails for both the experienced hiker and the casual walker. Many of the trails begin near Stone Museum, located on the forest land. To Rating: Easy to difficult witness buzzards, hawks, falcons and eagles, try the Elliot Bronson Trail near the museum. This trail runs Distance: Varies, some elevation gain. through the southern portion of the forest and crosses a 60-foot cliff with great views. This one-way hike has some uphill sections and is three miles roundtrip. Why this hike: People's State Forest, frequently referred to as Connecticut's Driving Directions: From Route 44 take Route 318 in Barkhamsted. Go across the steel bridge and take an flagship forest, features acres of hiking, immediate left onto West River Road. The recreation area is approximately one mile up on the left. picnicking, fishing and more. In addition, Tips: Seasonal interpretive programs are based out of Stone Museum, which is open Memorial Day the seasonal Stone Museum offers a through Columbus Day. Park hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. There is a parking fee at People’s State Forest: collection of mounted animals, old fire- $7 for in-state vehicles and $10 for out-of-state vehicles. fighting equipment and ores from the iron industry. Hike Five: Stratton Brook State Hike Description: Best known for its trout fishing, swimming and bikeway, Stratton Brook State Park Park also boasts a great trail system and became Connecticut’s first completely wheelchair accessible state park in 1996. A portion of the Simsbury stretch of the Farmington River Trail runs through the park. Along Rating: Easy to moderate this trail you’ll walk over scenic brooks and under the shade of white pines. The complete section of trail Distance: Varies, moderate elevation gain. is 3.7 miles and takes you out of the park through adjacent forests. The park is a wonderful place for a picnic lunch and also offers swimming and trout fishing. Why this hike: This is Connecticut’s first completely wheelchair accessible state Driving Directions: From REI in West Hartford (71 Raymond Road) head north on Raymond Road toward park and is within close proximity to Isham Road. Turn left at Farmington Avenue and then turn right on North Main Street. Turn left at CT-185/ Hartford. Simsbury Road. Turn right on CT-10/Hopmeadow Street/US-202. Turn left at CT-167/CT-309/West Street. Continue to follow CT-309 to Stratton Brook State Park. Tips: Pets are permitted on leashes in picnic areas and on hiking trails. Pets are not permitted on the beach. Parking fees are $7 for in-state vehicles, $10 for out-of-state vehicles. REI’s PEAK program uses a fun presentation filled with hands- First Saturday in June The American Hiking Society’s on activities and games to teach kids ages 6 through 12 National Trails Day, sponsored by REI, is a nationwide celebration about taking care of the outdoors. of trails. Celebrate with your family by taking a hike, or volunteering for a trail clean-up project. Ask an REI team member about how to Ask an REI team member about scheduling a free PEAK get involved, or visit www.rei.com for more information. presentation for your classroom or youth group, or visit www.rei.com/PEAK for more information..