Hikes: Connecticut

Hike Name Lions Head*
Closest Town Salisbury, CT
Difficulty Level** Moderate to Strenuous
Distance 5.6 miles round trip
Features Panoramic views
Description From Connecticut 41, follow the A.T. north.  In 0.25 mile, pass Plateau Campsite, which has a privy and tent sites.  During a 1.5 mile, moderate ascent, cross and re-cross an old road.  The climb can get steep at times.  At mile 2.5, reach the junction with the Lions Head Trail.  Continue following the A.T. and climb the last steep 0.2 mile to the summit of Lions Head.  Hike 0.1 mile farther to the north summit of Lions Head, where you will find views to the north of Bear Mountain and beyond that, of Mount Greylock in Massachusetts.  Retrace your steps to return.
Directions The parking lot on Connecticut 41 is located between two private residences, 0.75 mile north of US 44 in Salisbury.

 

Hike Name The River Trail*
Closest Town Falls Village, CT
Difficulty Level** Easy
Distance 1 mile loop
Features Falls/River
Description From the parking area, follow the hard packed trail to the A.T., where you will turn to travel beside the river.  Bypass the first side trail to the upper portion of the River Trail before turning onto the second side trail and returning to the parking area.
Directions From the center of Falls Village, take Water Street to the River Trail Parking Area.

 

Hike Name St. Johns, Ledges and Caleb's Peak
Closest Town Kent, CT
Difficulty Level** Moderate to Strenuous, short but steep ascents and descents
Distance 2.4 miles round trip
Features Views/Stone steps
Description From River Road, enter the woods heading south on the A.T. The Trail then travels torwards the base of St. Johns Ledges, and soon reaches the ascent pf 90 stone steps.  At mile 0.5, reach the top of the ledges and good views of the Housatonic Valley and the town of Kent. Continue south along the A.T. for another 0.7 mile to Caleb's Peak. Theledge outcropping on its summit provides great views to the south. return north to the parking area on River Road via the A.T.
Directions Take Connecticut 341 west from Kent and turn right on Skiff Mountain Road after crossing the Housatonic River. Follow this road for 1 mile, bearing right on River Road.  Travel another 1.7 miles (the road turns to dirt) to the trailhead.

 

Hike Name Ten Mile River and Hill
Closest Town Bulls Bridge/South Kent, CT
Difficulty Level** Moderate
Distance 5 miles
Features Views, Housatonic River, covered bridge
Description Follow side trail from the parking area to the A.T. (or, to stay on the A.T. throughout the hike, walk along Bulls Bridge Road for several hundred yards to turn southward on the A.T.  Go over a low rise and come to the Housatonic River at 0.7 mile.  The Trail follows an old road on a high bank above the river, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the stream and maybe spy a great blue heron trolling the shallow waters in search of a meal. Walk through a break in a stone wall at 1.2 miles, a reminder of the days when this land was used for agricultural purposes. A powerline right of way opens up a view south of Ten Mile Hill, the day's destination. Cross Ten Mile River on the Ned Anderson Memorial Bridge at 1.3 miles.  The place to take a swim is on the south side of the river, but you may want to wait until your return from the top of Ten Mile Hill Pass through the Ten Mile River Camping Area (privy available) and begin to ascend.  Pass the side trail to Ten Mile River Lean-to at 1.5 miles and the blue-blazed John Herrick Trail at 2.4 miles.  Reach the summit of Ten Mile Hill at 2.5 miles and take the short side trail to the view of the Housatonic Valley.  Retrace your steps to return.
Directions From the small settlement of Bulls Bridge on US 7, take Bulls Bridge Road westward, cross the Housatonic River on the covered Bulls Bridge, and pull into the parking area on the left.