For many outdoor enthusiasts, autumn is the time to get outdoors and enjoy the cool, crisp days, the mostly bug-free environment and that kaleidoscope of colorful leaves. Here’s a look at some places across the state to take in that autumn splendor.
During the height of autumn explorations, parking at Talcott Mountain can be in a word, challenging. If you want to skip that aggravation, check out the Avon Land Trust’s Nod Way Trails to get to the top for a little extra adventure. The main trail is marked with white blazes that travel up to the top of the traprock ridge to a path marked with blue blazes and the Heublein Tower, named after Gilbert Heublein the man who brought A-1 Steak Sauce, Smirnoff Vodka and the first bottled cocktails to the U.S. And there’s also some of the most stunning autumn views in the state.
This hike mixes in a little bit of history and autumn views. The hike begins near the remnants of the Lighthouse Community, an 18th and 19th century village made up of people of Native American, European and African descent.
The ascent to the overlooks known as Grand Vista and Chaugham Lookout begins along the Falls Cut-off Trail marked with blue and red blazes. The ascent is a bit difficult passing through gorges and rock ledges. The Grand Vista at 1,110-feet has views across hills and mountains down to the Farmington River. Farther to the north, the Chaugham Lookout has views across the sleepy town of Riverton and into the hills of Massachusetts.
This former dairy farm once known as Sunshine Dairy is still filled with tree-lined open fields which provide for stunning autumn views. There’s also a geography lesson with the 98-acre preserve home to one of the finest examples of Jurassic conglomerate rock formations.
According to the Middletown Conservation Commission’s Middletown Trail Guide, there are fewer than a dozen places on Earth where this type of formation is prominently displayed. There are nearly a dozen fields of all shapes and sizes with one showcasing a view out to Farmington and the surrounding hillsides. There are also acres of hardwood forests to explore.
A 1.5-mile hike along Connecticut’s 52-mile portion of the 2,178-mile Appalachian Trail will take visitors to the top of St. John’s Ledges and the 1,160-foot-high Caleb’s Peak. Once you reach the top, hikers travel to the St. John’s Ledges overlook with views of the Housatonic River valley. From the ledges, hikers ascend again to the top of Caleb’s Peak with views south and west into the hills of New York. A boulder sitting on top of the peak only adds to the view.
Route 341 to Skiff Mountain Road just north of the Housatonic River. Take a right on River Road and look for the parking area on the left in 1.5 miles.
A wooden covered 19th-century bridge crossing a picturesque stream filled with rocks and boulders with autumn foliage blazing around it screams quintessential New England. The Comstock Covered Bridge connects East Hampton and Colchester.
From the Colchester side of the bridge, visitors can follow the Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s Blue-blazed Salmon River Trail to the top of an overlook with views of broken dams and rapids along the river. The loop trail leads to a series of beautiful waterfalls and Day Pond State Park before returning to the bridge.
The out-and-back trail takes hikers to the top of Old Furnace State Park’s Half Hill with its two-state views of northeastern Connecticut into Rhode Island. The Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s two-mile Old Furnace Trail runs through the heart of the 367-acre park to the top of the 540-foot-high Half Hill.
Hikers will pass old foundations and stone walls of an old grist mill and remnants of an iron furnace. The park is also a popular draw for canoeists and kayakers with a boat launch on the banks of Ross Pond.
Take Route 6 east to South Frontage Road. The parking area is on the right.