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Fairfield, Connecticut

Top Spots in and near Fairfield

  • Cold Spring, New York

    Photograph Indian Brook Falls

    2.8
    This is about as short a walk and as little effort as you can put in for a beautiful waterfall. You can barely call it a hike, but I'll list it as such since you do walk through the woods for 5 minutes. The trail is extremely well built, and is pretty easily accessible through the winter.The trai...
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  • Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

    Hike the Dyckman Hill/Huyler's Landing Loop

    9 mi / 980 ft gain
    There is two ways to access this loop hike.  The first is from the Englewood Picnic area just off Exit 1 from the Palisades Interstate Parkway.  Parking here requires a fee of $5 May through September. The second is to drive past the Englewood Picnic area turnoff on Henry Hudson Drive and continu...
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  • Bear Mountain, New York

    Hike Bald Mountain, Bear Mountain State Park

    4.7
    6.8 mi / 1080 ft gain
    From your starting point at the Bear Mountain Inn, go left along the Cornell Mine Trail. (This part can be a bit confusing, but go past the carousel to a shaded picnic area; that is where the trail starts.) You will go under a bridge and follow the trail until it takes a sharp left and descends t...
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  • New York, New York

    Explore the Met Cloisters

    5.0
    The Met Cloisters is an art museum owned by the Met that boasts religious (mostly Catholic) art from a range of time periods as the building used to function as a cloister for monks. The inside of the Cloisters museum is a castle-like building that can be visited for a small ticket fee (suggested...
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  • Southington, Connecticut

    Rock Climb Ragged Mountain

    The main face of Ragged Mountain (elev. 761 feet) is home to a lot climbing in central Connecticut. It runs north-south for about 600 feet. Its max height of 100 feet. The crag is home to several rock climbing guides and schools. Routes range in difficultly from great for the beginner (5.3) to su...
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  • Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

    Hike the Dyckman Hill/Carpenter's Grove Loop

    4.0
    4 mi / 400 ft gain
    This loop hike can be started from several different places.  I chose to start from Allison Park which overlooks the Hudson River in Englewood Cliffs, NJ.  From the parking area, walk out to the entrance road and travel south to Saint Peter's College.  The Long Path Trail, which you join from All...
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  • Middletown, Connecticut

    Explore Wadsworth Falls

    5.0
    0.25 mi
    When it comes to exploring Wadsworth Falls its ease of access couldn't be better. As soon as you pull into the parking lot you hear the falls roaring. Take the quick walk to see the picturesque scenery.Facts about Wadsworth Falls:Height: 25ft tall and doubled in width Rock: Hampden Basalt -the ro...
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  • Highland Falls, New York

    Popolopen Torne

    4.5
    1.18 mi / 531 ft gain
    Popolopen Torne is a hidden gem in the Hudson Valley, a surprisingly unknown trail with a beautiful payoff and a far deeper meaning. A short hike to the top puts you at the foot of a memorial to those who have served their country, a pile of painted rocks carried up by those who want to pay their...
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  • Cold Spring, New York

    Kayak the Hudson River in Cold Spring

    North of New York City by 90 minutes lies the town of Cold Spring in the Hudson Valley. Cold Spring has a hometown quality with a Main Street, a firehouse, and art galleries of local artists. Despite its proximity to NYC, locals maintain a slower pace and enjoy many outdoor activities. Just a sho...
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  • Southington, Connecticut

    Hike the Crescent Lake & Metacomet Trail Loop

    4.0
    2.4 mi / 269 ft gain
    The hike to view Crescent Lake is peaceful. You can either walk through the woods where you will be blessed with natures finest birds and wildlife or you can take the trail along the lake edge. Both are similar distances and lead to the same hill at the end! Once you get to the top take a left on...
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  • Berlin, Connecticut

    Hike the Ragged Mountain Memorial Preserve

    4.5
    5.5 mi / 560 ft gain
    Ragged Mountain main loop is approximately 5.5 miles long, and is known for its expansive bare-rock vistas, vertical cliff faces, and scenic views overlooking cliff-side reservoirs and ponds.  The trail is rated moderate, with some flat stretches among the trees, mixed with some uneven rocky foot...
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  • Cold Spring, New York

    Mt. Taurus (Bull Hill)

    4.5
    3.52 mi / 1375 ft gain
    Mt. Taurus (or Bull Hill) is a short, family and dog friendly, hike just outside the town of Cold Spring, easily accessible by car or taking the train into town. It snakes along the edge of an old quarry that is just now being retaken by nature and provides lookouts towards the Hudson, other near...
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  • Cold Spring, New York

    Hike the Cornish/Brook/Notch/Washburn/Undercliff Loop

    8 mi / 1500 ft gain
    This loop is a great option to avoid crowds on the west side of the Washburn trail.  Start at the same trailhead for the Washburn Trail.  The Cornish Trail is on the left and there is an obvious sign at the trail split a few feet from the parking area.  The Cornish Trail is an old road from about...
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  • Cold Spring, New York

    Hike the Washburn/Nelsonville/Undercliff Loop

    7.2 mi / 2000 ft gain
    This is a difficult loop hike that has several different starting points.  I chose to start at the Washburn Trail Head, which is the lowest starting point you can select.  Nearly on the Hudson River, the trail ascends immediately along a well maintained road designated by white disc markers.  Aft...
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  • Cold Spring, New York

    Sugarloaf Mountain and Breakneck Ridge Loop

    4.7
    4.33 mi / 1562 ft gain
    The Breakneck Ridge to Sugar Loaf Loop gives rise to various bypasses that offer hikers moderate to advanced terrain and multiple rock scrambles. The loop entails a total elevation gain of 1,670 feet and a total distance of 5.5 miles. The start of the trail begins at the (white blazes) at the no...
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  • Cold Spring, New York

    Breakneck Ridge Loop

    5.0
    5.91 mi / 1526 ft gain
    This short but steep loop hike in Hudson Highlands State Park offers multiple panoramic views of the Hudson River along the way. Please note that only experienced hikers should attempt this route – although the hike seems short, the elevation gain and steep rocky scrambles offer serious technical...
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