by Ronnie Dauber

Created on: February 20, 2009   Last Updated: March 05, 2009

If you're looking for a hiking adventure, then you'll want to consider the ten best hikes in Connecticut. These include a variety of different hiking thrills that can be from one day to many days. There are plains to navigate, rivers to cross, mountains to climb, caves to maze through and forests to endeavour. The choice is yours.

1. Bear Mountain Mount Riga State Park Trail

This is one of the most popular hiking choices because it covers all the hiking interests in its six mile trail including a grand stone pyramid that crowns its summit and presents breath-taking views of scenic valleys. The trail extends through shimmering lakes, rugged mountains and ancient forests that are home to animals such as fisher and deer.

2. Ragged Mountain Preserve Trail

This is an excellent day hike trail that covers 563 acres of open space in Berlin, CT. The trail loops together the peaceful mixed woods and extends to an exciting cliff rim. It's noted for its vistas, tiered and broken ridge, wildlife sightings and colourful fall foliage.

3. The Appalachian Trail: Falls Village to Salisbury

This scenic trail is approximately ten miles long and is excellent for an overnight adventure. There are extraordinary campsites at the centre point of the hike that are refreshing, peaceful and sheltered a pleasant pit stop that causes many hikers to stay longer than one night.

4. The Devil's Den Concourse

This is an extensive scenic trail about eight miles long that is excellent for long-term hikers who enjoy the company of woodland habitats. It boasts of a large pond and a number of refreshing streams, a rocky ravine, several granite-wracked gorges, high plateaus that offer panoramic views of the surrounding hills and the ruins of a nineteenth century lumber yard.

5. The Hanging Hills

This four-mile blue-blazed Metacomet trail passes over the peaks of the Hanging Hills of Meriden. The West Peak has an elevation of 1,024 feet, offering one of the finest views of Connecticut, and the East Peak with its elevation of 976 feet is home to Castle Craig, which is a lookout tower that provides an amazing view of central Connecticut to Long Island.

6. Appalachian National Scenic Trail: CT and MA

This is a 2,155 mile long scenic trail that journeys from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, cutting across the northwest corner of Connecticut. Hikers will experience scenic forests, fascinating fields and a panoramic mountain top. Tour options for this hike include round-trip, shuttle and thru-trails,

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