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Public places offer lots of walking and hiking in Fairfield and southwest CT

Connecticut > Fairfield Southwest > Outdoor Activities > Walking and Hiking
Audubon Center of Greenwich, CT
Audubon Center of Greenwich

613 Riversville Road Greenwich, CT Phone: 203-869-5272

This full-service nature center with lots of exhibits and activities also offers 7 miles of walking trails. - Trail Map
New Canaan Nature Center

144 Oenoke Ridge New Canaan, CT, 06840 Phone: 203-966-9577

Take a fascinating look into the science and nature in the area. Set on 40 acres, the nature center features gardens and a solar-heated greenhouse, as well as many trails, exhibits, an arboretum, live animals, and a maple sugar shed.
Read a detailed description, including information on hours and admission, at our science and nature page.
Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield -- Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary

2325 Burr Street Fairfield, CT Phone: 203-259-6305

The Larsen Sanctuary is next to the Audubon Center at Fairfield. The land has streams, ponds, forest, fields, and seven miles of trails and boardwalks with information signs. There is a wheelchair-accessible trail call the Chiboucas Trail. A brochure and trail map are available at the Center. There is an admission fee except for Audubon members and Fairfield residents.
Mountain Trail View - Indian Well State Park - Shelton, CT - Photo Credit Cara Brennan
Indian Well State Park

1 Indian Well Road Shelton, CT, 06484 Phone: 203-735-4311

This park along the Houstonic River has mapped walking trails through beautiful woods. - Park Map (PDF)
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Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford, CT
Bartlett Arboretum

151 Brookdale Road Stamford, CT, 06903 Phone: 203-322-6971

This large property offers nature viewing and education, along with lots of marked walking trails. Guided tours during warm seasons visit the cottage, perennial and sundial gardens; red maple wetlands and wildflower meadow; fall wildflower and tree identification; and champion and notable tree collection. - Trail Map
Walking Trail - CT Audubon Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Audubon Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary

314 Unquowa Road Fairfield, CT, 06824 Phone: 203-259-0416

Historic museum highlights natural history of the state with dioramas, wildlife exhibits, and dinosaur footprints. Adjacent 6-acre sanctuary with trails.
Hours: Open Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm. The six-acre Birdcraft Sanctuary is open daily, year-round, from dawn to dusk.
Trails - Earthplace - Westport, CT
Earthplace

10 Woodside Lane Westport, CT, 06880 Phone: 203-557-4400

Natural history museum with exhibits for children, live animals, trails, playground and a gift shop are all part of this wildlife sanctuary. This 62-acre property has several easy trails, including a universal access trail that can be used by people in wheelchairs or using walkers. It is an old farm and still shows evidence of stone walls, open fields, and wagon roads through the woods. Dogs are not permitted on the trails.
Hours: Open daily except major holidays, 9am - 5pm. Some days have shortened hours; please check website for details.
Admission: Adults $10; Students, Seniors and Kids 2-12 $5.
Devil's Den Preserve - Weston, CT
Lucius Pond Ordway - Devil's Den Preserve

33 Pent Road Weston, CT, 06883 Phone: 203-226-4991

This is the Nature Conservancy’s largest preserve in Connecticut. It protects part of the watershed of the Saugatuck River. The property includes woodlands, wetlands and rock ledges and a series of north-south ridges and valleys woven with streams and swamps. Good place for hiking and bird watching. - Trail Map (PDF)
Mianus River Preserve & Park / Cary Road Nature Preserve / Mianus Pond

Cary Road Greenwich/Stamford border, CT Phone: 203-977-4692

This preserve begins 1,000 feet north of the Post Road on the eastern side of Mianus Pond. It is a haven for hikers, with undisturbed woods and a steep shoreline and lovely views. Foot access is from the northern ends of Westview Place and Cary Road.
To get there: Take U.S. 1 toward Stamford; after leaving Cos Cob and crossing the Mianus Bridge turn left onto Cary Road. Mianus Park is on Cary Road.
Hours: Year-round, daily, daylight hours.