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

Talmadge Tract

★★☆☆☆

41.841828, -72.240032

Talmadge Tract / UCONN Moss Forest / Royal Knowlton Preserve Willington Town Park / Blue Blaze Nipmuck Trail 408 acres in Willington, CT Parking: Small lot near 100-,…

Pequot Trail – North Terminus

★★★☆☆

78 CT-165, Preston, CT 06365

Pequot Trail – North Terminus at Hellgate CFPA Blue Blaze Trail in Preston, CT Parking: North End – CFPA claims space for 2 cars near 78 CT-165,…

Ross Pond State Park

★★☆☆☆

41.771477, -71.869135

Ross Pond State Park Connecticut State Park 314 acres in Killingly, CT Parking: Medium sized lot at the end of the forest road near 223 Ross Rd Danielson,… Read more…

Black Rock State Park

★★★☆☆☆

41.653222, -73.096907

Black Rock State Park Connecticut State Park 444 acres in Watertown, CT Parking: Two lots at 2065 Thomaston Rd, Watertown, CT Trail Map           Trails:…

Nipmuck : East Terminus

★★☆☆☆

41.7519540, -72.1605640

Nipmuck Trail – East Branch Terminus CFPA Blue Blaze Nipmuck Trail 2.28 miles in Mansfield, CT Parking: Large dirt lot at 28 North Windham Road, Mansfield, CT Trail…

Natchaug Trail : Morey Rd

★★☆☆☆

41.8214610, -72.0970840

Natchaug Trail – Morey Rd CFPA Blue Blaze Natchaug Trail Natchaug State Forest through Chaplin and Eastford, CT Parking: Shoulder parking at 41.8214610, -72.0970840 Trail Map     …

Torrey Preserve

★★☆☆☆

41.811942, -72.225860

Torrey Preserve Mansfield Town Park 29.5 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Small lot near 266 Gurleyville Rd Mansfield, CT Trail Map The Torrey Preserve has just under one… Read more…

Schoolhouse Brook Park

★★★☆☆

41.7778619,-72.2277815

Schoolhouse Brook Park Mansfield Town Park 455 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Small lot near 186 Clover Mill Rd Mansfield, CT Trail Map       Trails: 8.5 miles …

Sawmill Brook Preserve

★★☆☆☆

41.751402, -72.210572

Sawmill Brook Preserve Mansfield Town Park 80 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Small pull-off near 139 Puddin Ln Mansfield Center, CT Trail Map         Trails: 3…

Whitney Forest

★★☆☆☆

232 Oliver Rd, Lebanon, CT, USA

Whitney Forest Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail 85 acres in Lebanon, CT Parking: Small dirt lot near 232 Oliver Rd, Lebanon, CT Trail Map           Trails:…