Naugatuck Trail, Connecticut nature trail
The Naugatuck Trail is a roughly five-mile hiking path through Naugatuck State Forest in Connecticut. The route moves through woods, past small streams, and over rocky sections with moss-covered areas and mountain laurel bushes.
The forest was partly acquired in the early 1920s by Harris Whittemore, who donated land to the state of Connecticut. This gift formed the foundation of today's Naugatuck State Forest and its protection as a public natural area.
The trail's name comes from the Naugatuck River that shapes the landscape. You can see how locals and visitors use these woods as a place to step away from daily life and spend time connected to nature.
The path is marked with blue paint on trees and runs mostly flat without steep or slippery sections. Parking is limited, with only a few spots at the western end and on the side of a rutted road at the east, where solid footwear is advised.
A special feature is crossing a small brook on a wooden bridge, which offers a moment of quiet and adventure. Beyond this spot, the terrain opens into flatter areas that provide views out over the surrounding forest.
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