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Mansfield

Hike Mansfield, CT

Part of Tolland County

If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Mansfield or in the Storrs area near UCONN this is the complete guide to all the overlooks, waterfalls, and riverways it has to offer.

Situated in Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner,” Mansfield is one of 35 towns that comprise The Last Green Valley. The town preserves over 3,500 acres of open space, over 10% of its total area.

There are 35 locations to explore within the town for over 85 miles of trails.  There are boating/fishing options at Mansfield Hollow and along the Mt. Hope and Willimantic Rivers as well as mountain biking, rock climbing, and a private disc golf course dotted around town.

Trails range from the handicap accessible beach at Schoolhouse Brook Park to steep climbs along the town’s ridges.  The town boasts some of the best overlooks in this part of the state as well as many relaxing water views along its lakes and rivers. Seek out the silk mill ruins, the hidden waterfall, or just stroll along the dam at Mansfield Hollow.

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My Highlights

Hiking

Town Parks

  • Baxter Road Open Space –★★★– 1.25 miles – Surprisingly well traveled double loop
  • Commonfields –★– 0.25 miles –
  • Coney Rock –★★★– 5 miles – Steep climbs to a couple ridgeline overlooks
  • Dorwart Preserve / Lions Memorial Park –★★– 1.25 miles – Old cart paths that connect to Mansfield Hollow trail network
  • Dunhamtown Forest –★★– 4 miles – Hike that passes local history amidst varied environments
  • Eagleville Preserve –★★– 1 mile – Invasive species guided walk along the Willimantic River
  • Fifty Foot Cliff Preserve –★★★– 1.5 miles – Short hike on the Nipmuck trail through rocky terrain to a nice overlook
  • Merrow Meadow –★★– 1 mile – Popular town park with a paved walking path and rougher trails along the river
  • Moss Sanctuary –★★★– 2 miles – Secluded park next to UCONN with good short loops around a pond and a waterfall
  • Mt. Hope Park –★★– 1 mile – Skirt the edges of fields, rivers, and beaver ponds in a short easy loop
  • River Park / Lynch Landing –★– 1 mile – Boat launch for the Willimantic River and start point of the Willi River hiking trail
  • Sawmill Brook Preserve –★★– 3 miles – Starting point of the Nipmuck West, excellent bird viewing platform with access to Wolf Rock
  • Schoolhouse Brook Park –★★★– 8.5 miles – Large park with a variety of trails plus swimming, fishing, and mountain biking
  • Shelter Falls Park –★★★– 2 miles – Easy trail to a tiny waterfall and sheltering rock, rough trails elsewhere
  • Simpson-Wood Preserve –★★–  2 miles – Mansfield’s newest park is still under construction, but will soon be a great short hike
  • Southworth Preserve –★– 1 mile – This tiny preserve now has a short trail that connects to Mansfield Hollow trail network
  • Torrey Preserve –★★– 1 mile – A short loop trail just off the Nipmuck trail that follows a field edge and up a slope

Land Trust (All Joshua’s Trust)

  • Babcock Preserve –★– 0.25 miles – I have not been able to locate the short trail here on any of my visits to Schoolhouse Brook
  • Bradley-Buchanan Woods –★★– 0.5 miles – A short hike through a very rare geologic area in Connecticut called a kame terrace with connections to Mansfield Hollow
  • Coney Rock Preserve –★★★– 5 miles – Steep climbs to a couple ridgeline overlooks
  • Dunham Woods –★★– 1 mile – A short hike with seasonal views of Dunham Pond and connections to the town-owned Dunhamtown Woods
  • Goodwin Reserve –★– 0.6 miles – A  unmaintained short hike that passes an interesting rock outcrop
  • Holt-Kinney Woods –★★– 0.7 miles – A nice short addition to Schoolhouse Brook Park with a mysterious double stone wall
  • Knowlton Hill Preserve –★★★– 2.5 miles – A glacial drumlin, majestic trees, and loop hike options
  • Lof Woodlands –★★– .5 miles – Simple loop hike
  • Mason’s Mill Site –★★– No trails – The site of a grist and saw mill that operated from at least 1778 to 1935
  • Owen’s Mere –★– 0.2 miles – A simple tiny loop around a man-made pond that beautiful in the fall
  • Pond Lot –★– 0.25 miles – A shorty entryway to Echo Woods and Mansfield Hollow that floods
  • Whetten Woods –★★★– 2.5 miles – A quiet hiking trail right next to Storrs UCONN
  • Wolf Rock Nature Preserve –★★★★– 3 miles – A great overlook with a large glacial erratic with options for loop hikes or the Nipmuck trail in either direction

State Parks / Forest

  • Mansfield Hollow State Park –★★★★★– 15 miles – A varied park that is popular for boating, picnics, and easy walks. There are long loop trails, nice views, and many sections to explore

Blue Blaze

  • Nipmuck Trail
    • Nipmuck Trail East Terminus –★★★– 4 miles – This eastern section of Mansfield Hollow is much quieter yet has 2.28 miles of Nipmuck and plenty of trails with interesting features to discover including rare views along the lake
    • Nipmuck Trail West Terminus –★★– 3 miles – An unassuming start at Sawmill Brook that has a short loop and connections to Wolf Rock
    • Fenton Tract –★★★– 6 miles – Within easy distance of UCONN. From the slope of Horsebarn Hill explore down to the Fenton River and Nipmuck Trail
    • Nipmuck Trail Section Rt. 89 –★★– 3 miles – Iron bridges built in 1901 over the Fenton River with connections to other parks
    • Fifty Foot Cliff Preserve –★★★– 1.5 miles – A steep climb from either direction of the Nipmuck trail to a great overlook or an easy walk from the Manchester Historical Society

The Rest

  • Codfish Falls –★★– No trails – A small waterfall with an 8ft drop that bends through a small ravine (this area is private property)
  • UCONN HEEP –★– 2.25 miles – A short gravel road with interpretive signs and overgrown forest trails of just over a mile with a great marsh viewing platform in this education park across from Shelter Falls
  • Hiking on the Willimantic River Trail 

Boating/Fishing

Rock Climbing

Mountain Biking

Disc Golf

  • Mullen Rock – Private course that’s free and available to play on registration

What's Nearby

Town History

Mansfield, settled 1686; set off from Windham and incorporated Oct., 1702; named from Major Moses Mansfield. Originally called Ponde-town. Indian name, “Noubesetuck.”

Now go out and explore Mansfield, CT!

Fifty Foot Cliff Preserve

★★★☆☆

41.790196, -72.212954

Fifty Foot Cliff Preserve Mansfield Town Park 102 acres in Mansfield, CT Parking: Small lot behind the Mansfield Historical Society at 954 Storrs Rd, Storrs, CT or from… Read more…

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Hi, I'm Matt. I'm building ExploreCT to be the guide for all your outdoor adventures. All the trails, views, and waterways this great state has to offer. Now get out and explore!

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