Walking and Hiking
Public places offer lots of walking and hiking in Fairfield and southwest CT
9 listings
Greenwich, CT
Audubon Center of Greenwich
613 Riversville Road 203-869-5272This full-service nature center with lots of exhibits and activities also offers 7 miles of walking trails. - Trail Map
Weston, CT
Lucius Pond Ordway - Devil's Den Preserve
33 Pent Road 203-226-4991This is the Nature Conservancy’s largest preserve in Connecticut. It protects part of the watershed of the Saugatuck River. The property includes woodlands, wetlands and rock ledges and a series of north-south ridges and valleys woven with streams and swamps. Good place for hiking and bird watching. - Trail Map (PDF)
Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield
2325 Burr Street 203-259-6305The Larsen Sanctuary is next to the Audubon Center at Fairfield. The land has streams, ponds, forest, fields, and seven miles of trails and boardwalks with information signs. There is a wheelchair-accessible trail call the Chiboucas Trail. A brochure and trail map are available at the Center. There is an admission fee except for Audubon members and Fairfield residents.
Westport, CT
Earthplace
10 Woodside Lane 203-557-4400Natural history museum with exhibits for children, live animals, trails, playground and a gift shop are all part of this wildlife sanctuary. This 62-acre property has several easy trails, including a universal access trail that can be used by people in wheelchairs or using walkers. It is an old farm and still shows evidence of stone walls, open fields, and wagon roads through the woods. Dogs are not permitted on the trails.
Hours: Open daily except major holidays, 9am - 5pm. Some days have shortened hours; please check website for details.
Admission: Adults $10; Students, Seniors and Kids 2-12 $5.
Shelton, CT
Indian Well State Park
1 Indian Well Road 203-735-4311This park along the Houstonic River has mapped walking trails through beautiful woods. - Park Map (PDF)
Greenwich/Stamford border, CT
Mianus River Preserve & Park / Cary Road Nature Preserve / Mianus Pond
Cary Road 203-977-4692This preserve begins 1,000 feet north of the Post Road on the eastern side of Mianus Pond. It is a haven for hikers, with undisturbed woods and a steep shoreline and lovely views. Foot access is from the northern ends of Westview Place and Cary Road.
To get there: Take U.S. 1 toward Stamford; after leaving Cos Cob and crossing the Mianus Bridge turn left onto Cary Road. Mianus Park is on Cary Road.
Hours: Year-round, daily, daylight hours.
Stamford, CT
Bartlett Arboretum
151 Brookdale Road 203-322-6971This large property offers nature viewing and education, along with lots of marked walking trails. Guided tours during warm seasons visit the cottage, perennial and sundial gardens; red maple wetlands and wildflower meadow; fall wildflower and tree identification; and champion and notable tree collection. - Trail Map
New Canaan, CT
New Canaan Nature Center
144 Oenoke Ridge 203-966-9577Take a fascinating look into the science and nature in the area. Set on 40 acres, the nature center features gardens and a solar-heated greenhouse, as well as many trails, exhibits, an arboretum, live animals, and a maple sugar shed.
Read a detailed description, including information on hours and admission, at our science and nature page.
Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Audubon Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary
314 Unquowa Road 203-259-0416Historic museum highlights natural history of the state with dioramas, wildlife exhibits, and dinosaur footprints. Adjacent 6-acre sanctuary with trails.
Hours: Open Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm. The six-acre Birdcraft Sanctuary is open daily, year-round, from dawn to dusk.