Put On Your Hiking Boots This Weekend

National Trails Day is Saturday, June 4 and what better way to celebrate than by lacing up a pair of hiking boots and hitting one of the areas many trails.

The Connecticut Forest & Park Association, which is located in Rockfall, has coordinated nearly 200 events  for CT Trails Day. The two day event (Sat. & Sun.) will cover over 500 miles of trails across Connecticut.

CT Trails Day will provide hikers the opportunity to discover new places and experience the outdoors with family, friends, and neighbors

Here's how you can participate locally:

Middlefield/Middletown

Hike: Wadsworth Falls State Park - Sponsored by the Rockfall Foundation and Everyone Outside

How to get there: Meet at the main entrance to the park along Route 157 in Middletown. Parking fees are waived.

When: Sunday, June 5   1-4 p.m.

Level: 1.5 to 2 mile hike of easy trails

To pre-register call the Rockfall Foundation at 860-347-0340 or email info@rockfallfoundation.org. You can also contact Lucy Meigs, Everyone Outside naturalist, at 860-395-7771 or email lucy@everyoneoutside.org

Durham (by way of Guilford)

Hike: New England Trail and Lone Pine Trail (Guilford Land Trust Property) - Sponsored by New Haven Hiking Club 

How to get there:. Meet at the Braemore Preserve parking lot on Route 77 (North Guilford), opposite the big red barn at number 5000. An option to car spot will be available half way. 

When: Saturday, June 4   8-3 p.m. 

Level: 11-mile loop hike. Sturdy hiking boots needed (no low-cut sneakers or running shoes); bring rain gear, 2 liters of water and lunch. 

Pre-registration not necessary. Contact James Fullmer 860-663-3373 if necessary.

Killingworth

Hike: Chatfield  Trail - Sponsored by North Cove Outfitters, Inc. 

How to get there: Meet at the trailhead on the south side of Route 80 (.3 miles west of Chatfield Hollow State Park.

When: Saturday, June 4   10-4:40 p.m.

Level: 8.6 mile hike along a Blue Blazed trail. Participants will be asked to give back by performing some light maintenance along the way. Bring a lunch. 

Preregistration is required. Contact John Sahadi at jsahadi@northcove.com

Hike: Killingworth and Kelseytown Reservoir Watershed - Sponsored by Connecticut Water Company

How to get there: Meet at Platt Nature Center, 344 Roast Meat Hill Road

When: Saturday, June 4   10-11 a.m.

Level: 2.5 mile journey within two of Connecticut Water Company's watershed properties. Mostly flat terrain, with some minor hill climbing and open fields.

Pre-registration is recomennded. Contact Dan Meaney 860-664-6016 or by email at dmeany@ctwater.com

Hike: Lake Hammonasset - Sponsored by Regional Water Authority

How to get there: Meet at the Lake Hammonassett parking lot on Route 80 in Killingworth. 

When: Saturday, June 4   8-12 p.m.

Level: Hike 7-mile trail around a Regional Water Authority reservoir on the Killingworth/Madison line. Easy to moderate terrain. 

Pre-registration is not necessary. Contact John Triana 203-401-2748 or by email at jtrianal@rwater.com