Fairfield, Connecticut

Looking for the best hiking in Fairfield? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Fairfield. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Fairfield

  • Closter, New Jersey

    Alpine White Trail (Stateline Lookout)

    5.0
    3.86 mi / 856 ft gain
    Starting at about 520 feet, the White path takes you along the Stateline Lookout which is a small stone building overlooking the Hudson River. The initial descent is your average hike through the woods and across a couple of wooden bridges until you reach the Giant Steps. The Giant Steps take you...
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  • Meriden, Connecticut

    Hike the Metacomet, Blue, and Yellow Loop

    5.0
    4.5 mi / 976 ft gain
    Start from the Castle Craig road entrance. Walk until you're greeted by a beautiful reservoir. You'll notice the strange but beautiful Mine Island in the middle of all this. You'll also notice markers for White Trails and Yellow Trails. The White Trail is an easier/wider trail. The Yellow Trail C...
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  • Closter, New Jersey

    Hike to Huyler's Landing/ Closter Dock Loop

    4.0
    5.4 mi / 450 ft gain
    The easiest way to access this loop hike is by parking at the Palisades State Park Headquarters.  This is just off exit 2 from the Palisades Interstate Parkway.  Parking here is free and it is a short walk down a road to the Closter Dock Trail.  The Closter Dock Trail is more of a wide fire road ...
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  • Hopewell Junction, New York

    Lake Canopus Viewpoint

    4.0
    2.07 mi / 148 ft gain
    Its a great place to explore as it has a beautiful calm lake especially in the fall, the reflection of the water and the awesome colors are unbelievable. Its a short hike but you certainly could go further up. Parking is free by the road, hike towards the lake about a mile or so. The sound of bi...
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  • Hopewell Junction, New York

    Beaver Pond via Appalachian Trail

    5.0
    3 mi / 400 ft gain
    Beaver Pond is a small body of water created by a dam that was constructed during the days of iron ore mining in the area.  The pond is crystal clear and has a wonderful tree line right on the water.  The best time to visit here is early morning in the fall.  With the leaves changing color they m...
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  • Cold Spring, New York

    Hike the Perkins/Fahnestock/Charcoal Burners Trail Loop

    7.5 mi / 800 ft gain
    This is one of my favorite hikes in the Clarence Fahnestock State Park. A real mixed bag but mostly very enjoyable. The trail starts at the Charcoal Burners Trailhead Route 301. There is only road side parking on a soft shoulder, both sides of the road.  After a short walk into the forest, you re...
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  • Cortlandt, New York

    Hike the Camp Smith Trail

    4.5
    5.92 mi / 1759 ft gain
    This approximately 3-hour hike borders the Hudson River, and is one of the best in Westchester County. Start off at the parking area at the Bear Mountain Tollhouse, or at a small parking area farther up Bear Mountain Road, if you want a slightly shorter hike. The trail is fairly steep in places, ...
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  • Washington, Connecticut

    Hike Meeker Trail

    3.3 mi / 639 ft gain
    Meeker Trail is a 3.3 mile out and back hike that takes you by a lake located near New Preston, Connecticut.
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  • Philipstown, New York

    Hike the Osborn Loop

    7.6 mi / 850 ft gain
    The Osborn Loop trail itself is not a loop.  It connects to a 2.5 mile section of the Appalachian Trail.  Hiking these together creates the loop.  Start at the trail head for the Appalachian Trail on South Mountain Pass Road.  There is parking for two or three cars.  Walk up the road a short dist...
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  • Washington, Connecticut

    Hike the Mount Tom Tower Trail

    1.3 mi / 337 ft gain
    Starting from the parking lot of Mt. Tom State Park, hop onto the Tower Trail (yellow trail) which leads more into the woods. During winter time, the trail may be slippery, please use your best judgement and always know your limits. Gaining about 300 feet in total elevation in approximately 1 mil...
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  • Meriden, Connecticut

    Higby Mountain Trail

    2.11 mi / 486 ft gain
    The popular route for this hike is to park your car at the base of the trail which is located right before merging onto 91-S in Middlefield, CT. The parking lot does seem to get crowded mid-day, especially if the weather is nice!  The beginning of the hike is mostly flatter land and an incline w...
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  • Philipstown, New York

    Anthony's Nose via Appalachian Trail

    4.6
    1.95 mi / 682 ft gain
    Parking for the trail runs along both sides of 9D right up until the Bear Mountain Bridge. It can be busy on the weekends so just make sure you're as far off the road as you can and be especially careful unloading kids and dogs. The trailhead is located at approximately 41.322571, -73.975949 and ...
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  • 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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  • 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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