Hello fellow Nutmeggers! I am trying to decide on a spot to go highking. Will be getting a group of friends together that are spread all over the state. So, somewhere sorta central to all of us (I’m thinking of the greater Waterbury area), nothing too difficult (we are a group of stoners, not exactly athletes), maybe 2-5 miles, maybe near some water (river, lake, etc… bonus points for a waterfall) and definitely views of CT’s beautiful foliage.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Edit: also, for anyone who may be interested… I will be posting in r/treecaching and r/CTents after our highke (10/30) 😉

Comments

rare__air t1_iso9wcq wrote on October 17, 2022 at 1:51 PM

#123,726

Wadsworth Falls

Vness374 OP t1_isoa5l4 wrote on October 17, 2022 at 1:53 PM

#123,743

Replying to rare__air (#123,726)

Wow, just a quick look at pics and we may already have a winner! Looks beautiful, thank you!

LittleJohnStone t1_isoajut wrote on October 17, 2022 at 1:56 PM

#123,766

Soapstone Mountain in Somers has a fire tower and isn't too steep if you stay on blue/yellow and blue. Recommend researching since I was following a group and not paying close attention.

CTRealtorCarl t1_isob1uo wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:00 PM

#123,798

Naugatuck state forest on the west side of Route 8. I actually think someone posted the view from one of the overlooks recently on this sub. One of the best foliage spots as well. Depending on the trail you take some of them run along fast flowing water as well as Spruce Brook Falls.

Parking lot is at the end of Spruce Brook Road in Naugatuck. Easy to see on Google Maps.

Vness374 OP t1_isob85b wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:02 PM

#123,806

Replying to CTRealtorCarl (#123,798)

Oooo thank you! I was thinking Naugatuck might be a good option!

Vness374 OP t1_isobf5d wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:03 PM

#123,825

Replying to LittleJohnStone (#123,766)

Never heard of it, gonna google now… thanks!

Edit: whoa, super beautiful!!! Definitely going to check it out sometime, but I think it’s a little too far north for this highke

Z_Rig_carabiner t1_isodcxk wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:18 PM

#123,929

Black Rock park Watertown/thomaston line

wherehaveubeen t1_isoe8m9 wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:24 PM

#123,981

Heublein Tower trail is awesome. You’re going to feel like you’re in LOtR.

Vness374 OP t1_isoehu2 wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:26 PM

#123,991

Replying to Z_Rig_carabiner (#123,929)

If we do pick here, Imma have to get a potato bacon pizza from Marios after. Yum.

[deleted] t1_isoejvz wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:27 PM

#123,994

Replying to Z_Rig_carabiner (#123,929)

[deleted]

Vness374 OP t1_isoewtb wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:29 PM

#124,015

Replying to wherehaveubeen (#123,981)

Just looked at pics and I definitely want to go check it out one day! But I’m trying to stay south and west of Hartford

rose-buds t1_isofy00 wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:37 PM

#124,072

Replying to Vness374 (#123,743)

there's gonna be a shit ton of people at wadsworth, idk if that's where i'd want to head for a stoner hike

rose-buds t1_isog7rr wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:39 PM

#124,089

toby's rock mountain in naugatuck! awesome waterfalls and a cool view, and not too challenging. one of my favorites! the other commenter who suggested naugatuck with the route 8 view was more than likely talking about this same hike.

Vness374 OP t1_isogbpy wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:40 PM

#124,097

Replying to rose-buds (#124,072)

I didn’t even think about this now that it’s legal. I forget that a lot of people don’t want to see or smell us!

Vness374 OP t1_isoggl7 wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:41 PM

#124,107

Replying to rose-buds (#124,089)

Awesome! Thanks, this does look perfect!

heathenliberal t1_isoh78s wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:46 PM

#124,142

Hancock Brook blue blazed trail in Waterbury is gorgeous. There's a summit, plenty of flat walking, and lots of different scenery.

LittleJohnStone t1_isoi2qh wrote on October 17, 2022 at 2:52 PM

#124,202

Replying to Vness374 (#123,825)

It's also pretty popular, so might want to 'commune with mother nature' before you go up the tower. Lots of families

aoballer1 t1_isojf9l wrote on October 17, 2022 at 3:02 PM

#124,287

Mansfield hollow. Not central but money hike by water

TheSpacePopeIX t1_isokehf wrote on October 17, 2022 at 3:11 PM

#124,354

High highly highly recommend downloading the free app AllTrails to help find new hikes.

himewaridesu t1_isp13h8 wrote on October 17, 2022 at 5:10 PM

#125,420

Shipsentist in Ellington has a LOTR feeling path with rocks lol

Paint_her_paint_me t1_isp4r1y wrote on October 17, 2022 at 5:35 PM

#125,635

Someone posted about Steep Rock Preserve the other day and we did it this weekend and it’s lovely. We did Hidden Valley Preserve and while I didn’t spot any waterfalls, there is lots of trail by the river. Also a lot of it is flat. It’s in Washington Depot.