Cross-country skiing is a favorite winter pastime in the Northeast. Connecticut woods and fields are perfect places for enthusiasts to enjoy their sport. The following spots are perfect for cross-country skiing. Check one out the next time the snowy trails call!
Between Bigelow Hollow State Park and the adjacent Nipmuck State Forest, outdoors enthusiasts are gifted with 9,000 acres on which to hike, hunt, fish, go snowmobiling and of course, enjoy cross-country skiing. One of the largest unbroken forest areas in the state, trails will lead cross-country skiers past Bigelow Pond and Mashapaug Lake.
Located near the banks of the Connecticut River, Haddam Meadows State Park was once a giant floodplain. These days 154 acres make up the park, with trails leading to the river and through the meadows. The amazing views up and down the river are as exciting as skiing the trails.
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Larkin State Park Trail provides endless hours of cross-country skiing fun, with 10 miles of trails that wind through four Connecticut towns. Parking is free and is available in three of the four towns—Southbury, Oxford, and Naugatuck. The trails are wide, so even if lots of skiers are there, there’s plenty of room for all. The views across the terrain, that circles a marshy area, are gorgeous, especially when the sun shines on the snow.
Ski past a waterfall on the 10.4-mile-loop that winds through Penwood State Park. Even four-legged friends can accompany cross-country skiers on their trek, but they must be kept on a leash. The views overlooking the Connecticut River Valley and the northernmost part of the Talcott Mountain range are sublime. Parking is free.
More than 12 miles of trails await cross-country skiers at American Legion and Peoples State Forests. The forests are adjacent and the trails wind through both. Trails are clearly marked, and the Elliott Bronson Trail is the only one not conducive to cross-country skiing. The Agnes Bowen Trail was actually created as a skiing trail, therefore is the most highly recommended for cross-country skiers. It spans 2.5 miles.
Ideal for cross-country skiing, Collins P Huntington State Park provides a glorious combination of open fields, rolling hills, and trails surrounded by picturesque views of glistening ponds. This historic park will make for a peaceful day of exploration.
Officially spread across the towns of Hartland, Barkhamsted, and Granby, Tunxis State Forest covers roughly 5,500 acres. Established in 1923, this state forest features the Barkhamsted Reservoir and neighbors the Granville State Forest in Massachusetts. Cross-country skiing is just one activity among many available in this beautiful forest.
In Farmington, cross-country skiing enthusiasts will find more than 12 miles of trails on 350 acres of pristine woodland, brooks, and spring-fed ponds. If you want to retreat to the woods for a few hours and soak up the stunning sights of winter, Winding Trails is your place.
