Hiking Trails & Parks in Connecticut
4,871 mapped hiking and walking trails, plus 19 parks, recreation areas, and campgrounds across Connecticut. Free trail maps for every listing — browse by county or city, or jump straight to the full list.
About Hiking in Connecticut
Connecticut has 4,871 mapped hiking trails and 19 federally managed parks and recreation areas spread across 21 counties. Trail data comes from OpenStreetMap contributors; parks and campgrounds from Recreation.gov.
Trying to narrow down? Browse all trails, all parks, all 21 counties, or pick a county below to see only its options.
Where to Go in Connecticut
A spatially-sampled view of 103 trail and park locations across Connecticut’s counties.
Connecticut Counties
Top 21 counties shown — 21 total indexed.
Trails by Difficulty in Connecticut
Parks & Campgrounds in Connecticut
Longest Trails in Connecticut
Curated Guides for Connecticut
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Connecticut?
Yes — we have 4,871 mapped hiking and walking trails in Connecticut, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the most difficult hiking trail in Connecticut?
rock scramble hiking path near Oakville is rated expert — the toughest classification among Connecticut's mapped trails.
What is the best hiking trail in Connecticut for families?
NET/M&M Trail (white) near West Suffield is one of the best family picks in Connecticut — easy difficulty and 0.1 miles round trip, short enough for kids and first-timers. See the full family hiking guide below for more options.
Is there a trail map for Connecticut?
Each of the 4,871 trails in Connecticut has its own page with an interactive map, GPS coordinates, and a link to view it on OpenStreetMap — no app or account needed.
What parks and recreation areas are in Connecticut?
Connecticut has 19 parks, recreation areas, and federal facilities in our index (12 classified as recreation areas). Each listing includes activities, photos where available, and directions.
Can I go camping in Connecticut?
Yes — 1 of Connecticut's parks have mapped campsites, from first-come sites to Recreation.gov reservations. The largest is HOP BROOK LAKE RECREATION AREA with 5 sites. See the full campgrounds guide below for the ranked list.
Hiking guides & rankings for Connecticut
In-depth articles drawing on the trail and park data above.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe 10 Longest Hiking Trails in Connecticut, Ranked
Connecticut's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: David MarcuConnecticut's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten Connecticut trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Tobias MrzykThe Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Connecticut
Ten gentle, well-marked Connecticut trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Sergei AkulichThe 10 Most Challenging Hikes in Connecticut
Connecticut's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in Connecticut
Federal parks and recreation areas in Connecticut ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Tobias MrzykBest Waterfall Hikes in Connecticut: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
Connecticut's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.