Places To Hike In Hartford County, Connecticut

If you’re looking for spots to hike in Hartford County, you’ve come to the right place. I definitely don’t know all of the spots. Below is a collection of spots that I’ve hiked in the area and that I’ve loved, with many of them being hikes I’ve returned to multiple times.

Blackledge Falls in Glastonbury

The Blackledge Falls Trails will take you a unique waterfall. I do want to warn you that this waterfall is seasonal and very dependent on rain. I definitely wouldn’t visit expecting to see the falls during a drought, but the area is still pretty if the waterfalls are dry. If you’re looking for a longer hike, the park is adjacent to Gay City State Park and the trails do connect. The first time I ever went to Blackledge Falls, I started the hike in Gay City State Park.
Learn more about visiting this waterfall: Blackledge Falls (Glastonbury CT)

Arbor Acres Open space in Glastonbury

When you arrive at this spot, it won’t look like much, but just trust me on this one. While it looks like it is just an open field, there’s access to the Shenipsit Trail here. The trail is a 50 mile trail that starts in East Hampton, Connecticut and goes all the way to West Stafford, Connecticut, which is just shy of the Massachusetts border. This section of the trail is wooded and it takes you along Flats Brook. I highly recommend using a map here. I used the map on AppleMap and it worked well for me.

Dividend Pond in Rocky Hill

This park is in a bit of an odd location since it’s next to an industrial park. The waterfall is a short walk from the parking area and it’s truly one of my favorite waterfalls in Connecticut. In addition to the waterfall, there are 3 miles of trails you can explore. You can access the waterfall from all angles or walk a loop around the pond. There are also some informational signs about the history of this spot since it is also an archaeological district.

Crescent Lake in Southington

If you’re looking for a hike that offers rewarding views, Crescent Lake has you covered. When I hiked here, I did the Crescent Lake and Metacoment Trail Loop, which was about 2.5 miles. The trail takes you completely around the lake and brings you up to a vista that offers great views.

McLean Game Refuge in Granby, Simsbury, and Canton

McLean Game Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary that is 4,415 acres large, spanning through multiple towns. The refuge features a lot of forested area, streams, waterfalls, and meadows. I’ve hiked at a couple of their locations. The ones I can vouch for are the Pilfershire Abandoned Town Trail in Simsbury, which features multiple waterfalls, and Carpenter’s Falls, which is accessed from Broad Hill Road in West Granby.

Case Mountain in Manchester

There are a lot of different trails to explore in this park. When I went, I did a large loop that started at the waterfall on Spring Street, went by the pond where the the historic Case Mountain Log Cabin is, then up to the lookout point with views of the Hartford skyline and the surrounding Connecticut River Valley. It’s definitely worth hiking up for the views.

Enders State Forest in Granby

Enders Brook Falls in Enders State Forest is a great family-friendly spot for a hike. The trail isn’t super long and it is relatively flat with only minor inclines. The section along the waterfalls is a boardwalk with railings and steps that lets you safely enjoy the waterfalls up close. This is a great trail if you’re short on time and want to get out in nature.

Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury

Talcott Mountain is a great spot to hike to get some nice views. I recommend that you hike up to Heublein Tower. If you take the state park loop trail that starts off Connecticut Route 185, you’ll be treated to some great views. You’ll definitely break a sweat making your way up the mountain, so stop to enjoy the views along the way. If you go during the regular season, you’ll be able to go to the top of the tower and get 360 degree views of the surrounding area.