Take a Hike! Tips for Safe, Fun Northwest Connecticut Hiking with Kids
As another summer mellows into what promises to be a beautiful New England fall, you might consider taking your family out to one of our great Northwest Connecticut hiking trails to enjoy the cooler weather and the fall foliage. Hikes and nature walks are a great way to teach your little ones about the natural world and to get valuable outdoor physical activity. Here are some tips on how to make hiking with your family a safe, fun experience for all!
Check the Weather
Mark Twain, one of our country’s most famous writers and a long-time Connecticut resident, once said, “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” Those words still ring true more than 100 years later, but fortunately for those of us living today, we have access to fairly accurate weather predictions right on our smartphones.
Checking the weather before any outing with your family will help you to dress appropriately for the day. New England’s autumn can sometimes alternate between summer’s heat and winter’s chill, so packing a sweater or a tank-top can make or break your hiking experience.
Be Prepared
If you’re planning to be out on the trail for a while – even if it’s not a very long while – it pays to be prepared. From everyday needs like water and snacks to the “just-in-case” like bandaids, sunscreen, and extra clothes, think about what your children normally need at home, and make sure to have it on hand. Having these things readily available will make hiking a more comfortable experience for everyone.
Be Bear Aware
Connecticut has a lot of bears! A great many of them live with us here in the Northwest Corner. During the fall, bears become more active as they look for food and prepare for winter. Before your hike, take the time to learn about bear behavior and how to react if you encounter one. Communicate with your children and make sure they understand that while bears are cool and impressive, wildlife encounters can be dangerous and need to be taken seriously.
Watch Out for Ticks!
There’s another thing Connecticut has a lot of: ticks. Most Connecticut residents are well-educated on the danger of tick bites and Lyme disease, but other tick-borne illnesses, including babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, are also a risk. Before your hike, consider treating your clothes with a repellent and make sure to wear long, light-colored pants and shirts and a light-colored hat to make spotting ticks easier. Try to keep children and pets from running through long grass or underbrush where ticks are likely to live. After the walk, check yourself, your children, your pets, and your gear for ticks.
Go All Natural
A hike or nature walk is an awesome opportunity to infuse some STEM learning into your children’s day! Help your kids learn about the natural world by identifying common plants for them and pointing out interesting features of the forest around you. Keep your own eyes and ears open, and don’t be afraid to bring a guidebook or app along with you to help you learn alongside your family.
Choose the Right Trail
Northwest Connecticut has some great hiking trails! Not all of them are necessarily appropriate for your first hike with young children, though. Here are some of our staff’s favorite spots for Northwest Connecticut hiking with kids.
- Sue Grossman Still River Greenway – This greenway is perfect for families of young children. Straight, flat, and paved, it provides an easy route for little legs. The abundant vegetation and water on the sides of the trail is home to a variety of animal life, providing families with the opportunity to observe turtles, songbirds, bunnies, and bugs of all kinds in their natural habitat. Keep an eye out on busy days for cyclists and rollerbladers sharing the trail with you.
- Dennis Hill State Park in Norfolk – The paved trail up to the top of Dennis Hill provides a little more challenge than the flat Sue Grossman while still being easy enough for younger children. Kids will love exploring the pavilion at the summit, which provides an amazing view of Litchfield County. Visit during the peak of fall foliage to see the hills lit up in red, yellow, and orange!
- Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield – With several trail loops, this state forest has lots of options for your family to try out. Tours of the historic Chase Cottage are available on the 2nd and 4th weekends through October 13. Visit the pollinator garden and the wildlife viewing blind to see birds, bees, and butterflies up close!
- Little Pond Boardwalk at White Memorial in Litchfield – This boardwalk trail loop guides visitors through the wetlands around Little Pond at White Memorial. The flat, elevated walkway is perfect for young children, and the ever-changing array of wildflowers, insect life, and migratory birds promise continual interest as you bring your family back season after season.