The 5 Best Walking and Hiking Trails Near Mystic
Though there is plenty of relaxing to be had, no need to sit back and relax your whole trip to Mystic! There’s plenty to do to keep you active and enjoying all of the beautiful scenery the region has to offer. If your idea of vacation is exploring everything that is around you, then you are in luck! The Mystic area has a beautiful assortment of hiking and walking trails. We put together a list of some local favorites. Be sure to take some photos on your hike, there are many opportunities for amazing shots!
River Road
Right in downtown Mystic is River Road which allows the perfect opportunity to enjoy some great views of the water, do some people watching and truly soak up all that Mystic has to offer. You’ll even get a glimpse of some of the historic tall ships located at the Mystic Seaport Museum. Feel free to walk, bike, or run along River Road. You might even want to take a coffee break at a local coffee shop and enjoy lunch at one of the many local eateries.
Bluff Point State Park
Bluff Point State Park is located just outside of Mystic in Groton. Bluff Point is a state park and nature preserve that is free to the public. You will enjoy stunning views of the Long Island Sound and wooded and coastal trails. If you brought your pup along on your trip, this is the perfect place to bring them to get some of that energy out and really soak up nature. Pack a lunch for an outdoor picnic with a view.
Coogan Farm
Coogan Farm has trails that are open from sunrise to sunset and lead you through an orchard and a Giving Garden. In February 2014, the Nature Center, United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and the Robert G. Youngs Family Foundations signed an agreement that promised to bring fresh food to thousands of hungry residents of New London. If you are visiting Coogan Farm for their trails, you will want to be sure to check out their website for everything from cooking to beekeeping classes – sure to expand your love of nature!
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
Actually connected to part of the Coogan Farm trails, DPNC is located on the Denison Homestead. DPNC is a wildlife sanctuary with over 8 miles of trails. You will also find a natural history museum and an educational facility. If you are visiting in the summer, you may even be able to have your children take a summer camp while visiting. There is so much to explore at DPNC. They are also heavily involved with preservation and maintenance throughout the area.
Barn Island
Barn Island offers a 1,000+ acre preserve in Stonington, Connecticut. This beautifully undeveloped land has remained a wildlife management area, the largest coastal wildlife management area in the state. If you are looking for a more “primitive” hike, this is definitely the way to go. The perfect place to take in the beauty of Coastal Connecticut, you will find coastal forests, trails that go through woods and along a marsh as well as tidal creeks – rich with birds, fish and other wildlife. Dogs are also welcome on these trails.
To learn more about any of these trails, find trail maps, or get directions, visit the individual websites listed. There is so much to explore in and around Mystic, CT!