Blue Blaze Trails

Blue Blazed Trails of Connecticut

The blue blaze trail system is unique to Connecticut.  Started in by the newly formed ‘Trails Committee’ of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association in 1929 the trails have expanded to the oft-cited number of 825 miles.  I’d guess that around 600 miles are actually blazed with the iconic blue rectangle and the remaining 2ooish are maintained by CFPA and their partners.

Ranging all across the state’s rugged hills, glacial streams and lakes, and traprock ridges they can be anywhere from a 1.3 mile loop (the newest blue blaze trail!) to a 111 mile trip across the state (The New England Trail) and beyond.

The trails are maintained entirely by volunteers with a core staff overseeing the entire scope and an annual summer crew that tackles large projects.  The blue trails are an amazing resource to explore no matter what part of the state you’re in!

The Big 12 Blue Blaze Trails

Another Eight

Other Trails – Trails maintained by the CFPA

Pachaug: Mt Misery & Rhododendron Sanctuary

★★★☆☆

Chapman Campground, Voluntown, CT, USA

Pachaug State Forest: Chapman Area Mt. Misery & Rhododendron Sanctuary Connecticut State Forest acres in Voluntown, CT Parking: Small lot near Cutoff Rd, Voluntown, CT Trail Map … Read more…

Mattabesett East Terminus

★★☆☆☆

1501 River Rd, Middletown, CT, USA

Mattabesett Trail: East Terminus Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail 508 acres in Middletown, CT Parking: East end: Small pull off near 1501 River Rd, Middletown, CT West end:…

Deer Lake

★★☆☆☆

101 Paper Mill Road, Killingworth, CT, USA

Deer Lake Day Camp Pathfinders Inc Private Property 255 acres in Killingworth, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 100 Papermill Rd, Killingworth, CT Trail Map       …

Compounce Ridge Trail

★★★★★

2-128 Panthorn Trail, Southington, CT 06489, USA

Compounce Ridge Trail Southington Town Land and Lake Compounce Park Property 100 acres in Southington, CT Parking: Cul-de-sac parking near 2-128 Panthorn Trail, Southington, CT Trail Map … Read more…

Shenipsit Trail: Mid-Connectors

★★☆☆☆

41.770463, -72.467760

Shenipsit Trail: Mid-Connectors Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail 716 acres in Manchester and Bolton, CT Parking: North Parking: Large lot at the Bolton Park & Ride South Parking:… Read more…

Shenipsit Trail: North Terminus

★★☆☆☆

24 Greaves Rd, Stafford Springs, CT 06076, USA

Shenipsit Trail: North Terminus Connecticut State Forest and Blue Blaze Trail 716 acres in Somers and Stafford, CT Parking: North Parking: Shoulder parking near 24 Greaves Rd,…

Shenipsit: Lake Bonair

★★☆☆☆

111 Grahaber Rd, Tolland, CT, USA

Lake Bonair Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail 26 acres in Tolland, CT Parking: Shoulder parking near 111 Grahaber Rd, Tolland, CT Trail Map        Trails: 1.2…

Peterson Park

★★★★☆

123 Mad River Rd, Wolcott, CT 06716, USA

Peterson Park Wolcott Town Park and Blue Blaze Trail 82.58 acres in Wolcott, CT Parking: Large lot near 123 Mad River Rd, Wolcott, CT Trail Map   …

Garnet Ledge

★★☆☆☆

155 Birch Mountain Rd, Glastonbury, CT, USA

Shenipsit: Garnet Ledge Manchester Water Co. Property, Kongscut Land Trust, and Blue Blaze Trail 1,437 acres in Glastonbury, CT Parking: North End: From Case Mountain closest parking… Read more…

Metacomet: Peak Mountain

★★★★☆

41.959133, -72.739260

Metacomet: Peak Mountain and West Suffield Mountain Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail, Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy, and Suffield Land Conservancy 142 acres in East Granby and Suffield, CT… Read more…