I've been driving past Happy Landings for years, not really sure what was there other than a couple of windmills and some hay. Years ago a friend had raved about the spot along Whisconier Road. Her advice was simple. Park your car and walk. You'll love it. It took me years to pull over and check it out, but I'm so glad I finally did.  Different from my typical hikes through the woods or by the lake, the terrain is easy and the open views are soothing. The wide open fields stretch out in front of you with a variety of birds weaving around from the tall grass into the surrounding trees. Happy …

Bear Mountain Reservation, not to be confused with the park in Salisbury, is located off of route 37, otherwise known as Padanaram Road. Driving up to the park and seeing the big bear sign was very reminiscent of Yellowstone Park.  There is plenty of parking for eager hikers and their dogs. Yes, the trails are dog friendly, and I encountered three dogs off-leash having a grand time. (The hiking trails are listed on BringFido.com.) At the entrance of the trail is a kiosk with a large map of the park and next to it a list of rules. Hikers are urged to "Leave only footprints and take only …

Macedonia Brook Park, just minutes from the heart of Kent, offers camping, hiking trails and over 2,300 acres of beautiful scenery. I had been to Macedonia before a few times for picnics and once for camping but it was well over 15 years ago. I didn't remember the hiking trails being too difficult, so we decided to try it again after hearing about the Oktoberfest hike that Cafe Little Europa was hosting. The ride up to Kent was scenic, with cows lazing around in the grass, antique tractors dotting lawns of country farms, and the leaves just beginning to be painted in their dazzling autumnal …

Muirwood's Open Space is a tiny little hidden gem literally hidden in the northeast section, abutting the Williams-Gurski Open Space. It took a little patience and some detective work but thanks to the helpful staff at Brookfield's Park and Recreation the nine-acre parcel was eventually found. There is no parking at the Hidden Brook entrance, but enthusiastic souls can also access Muirwood through Williams Park. The Hidden Brook entrance has a roughed-in road and storm drains going up the hill, orange signs have been posted on trees to let hikers know bow hunters may be in the area from …

Harrybrooke Park doesn't offer a deep woods hike, but any nature lover will agree that it has plenty of beauty to enjoy whether you are on foot, a bike or a pair of skates. It may not look like much as you enter the parking area near the back end of the park, but start walking up the paved path along the Still River and you will be pleasantly surprised by your surroundings. The path along the river will lead you to the loop, which is about a mile long, well paved and generally flat. There are benches positioned near the path for visitors to take a break from their exercise and soak in the …

My colleague Amy has already written up Birch Rocks' Yellow Trail... but that's not the full story at this preserve, because I can't think of another local hike where two trails can be so close together, and yet so different. The Yellow Trail is airy, easy, predictable; the Red Trail is darker, wetter, rockier, more rugged... even though, most of the time, it's within a stone's throw of the Yellow, just on the other side of Fern Brook. You can't get to the Red Trail without hiking in on the Yellow, which starts on Obtuse Road North — take a left off 133 a couple hundred yards past Fernbrook …

Have you ever felt the mist of a waterfall on your face? Waded in a cool pool at the bottom? Kent Falls State Park offers just that. Visitors can wade in the water and splash under the rocky falls. And if that's not enough, climb to the top and soak in the breathtaking sights along the way from the many viewing decks nestled beside the falls. On your way up, you can see small caverns and patterns etched and carved into the side of the limestone. For this hike, you'll have to start with a scenic drive. Take route 7 out of Brookfield through New Milford and Gaylordsville, past the historic …

Still feeling exhilarated after our Patch Give 5 clean up on August 17, I decided to venture over to Arthur Harris Linear Park. The morning had proved to be filled with mutual bonding as kids and adults worked together to clean along the shore line of Lake Lillinonah at Old Bridge Sanctuary.  Gathering my lunch, I drove to the town hall and found a piece of shade in the lovely garden built by the Brookfield Rotarians. The garden area was built in memory of those who lives were lost on 9/11. There are six benches placed within the area and many fine specimen trees to look at. Somehow the trees…

Whether you are looking for a short walk to enjoy with your kids or a long hike with a little challenge, Williams–Gurski Open space has a trail to enjoy. This centrally located park offers 200 acres of trails, with an interesting mix of wetlands, forest, ponds, boulders to climb and fields to explore. Keep your eyes open wide to spot the various wildlife. Depending on which well worn and well maintained path you choose, you may see a bunny, gopher or deer cross your path, frogs hopping around by the pond and a wide assortment of birds. There are a few steep inclines if you are up for the …

Sitting atop 68 acres of land, part of which overlooks Lake Lillinonah, the Lillinonah Woods offers fishing by permit, hiking trails and one picnic table that we saw by the entrance. After walking past the gate you will see a fallen tree, one of many, next to some rocks on the hill before you get to a sign on the right showing a map of the trails.  We chose to follow the blue trail, which was roughly one mile and looked like an easier path than the yellow trail.  At first all we could hear was car traffic, motorboats and jet skis from the nearby road and lake, but as we got deeper into the …

A hidden treasure at the end of Old Bridge Road, the Old Bridge Sanctuary is a wonderful spot for a hike, bird watching and even fishing. The sanctuary is located at 57 Old Bridge Road according to the town's website, but our GPS didn't recognize it and kept "recalculating."  Luckily, a friendly resident was picking up her mail and told us to "drive all the way down to end of the road and go straight." Entering the small parking area we immediately heard, then spotted, two red cardinals. They flew away quickly as soon as my dog started barking.  Stepping out of the car onto the trash-littered…

I'm tempted to keep this  nearly hidden trail to myself. It seems like I'm sharing a secret place that is quietly appreciated by those who know it well. The Birch Rocks Trails lead to the edge of Lake Lillinonah, providing a peaceful lookout to rest, wade in the water or sit on a rock and take in the view.  This spot is more than worthy of being shared, but I understand the inclination to keep it quiet. My 10-year-old daughter and I set out on a Sunday morning to explore Birch Rocks here in Brookfield. It's located on Obtuse Road North, but you need to know what to look for in order to find …

There is a big difference between hiking and walking. According to Dictionary.com, hiking is when you walk "a great distance," whereas walking is described as "traveling on foot at a moderate speed or pace." Taking into consideration the difference between the two, I would have to describe our Wednesday afternoon "hike" at Kahlo Trail Park in Brookfield as more of a "walk" through the woods, rather than vigorous exercise (unless you count calories burned swatting gnats). To get there, don't listen to your GPS. The best way to get there is to go past Brookfield High School on the right-hand …

This is the second of a series of articles describing nature trails on conservation properties operated by the New Milford-based Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust. Each of the trust's 18 preserves, ranging from Newtown to Cornwall, are within an hour's drive of Brookfield, most within 20 minutes. Until 2008, when the recession hit, I'd see a new stone wall going up somewhere in the area every other month or so. It seemed an odd use of money — not the stone wall, necessarily, but the fact that they were usually modern stone walls. Level, plumb and straight, they didn't speak of history, which is …

Connecticut is the home of over 100 State Parks, many of which are just a hop, skip, and a jump away.  In Litchfield there are a handful to choose from such as Macedonia, Kent Falls, Lake Waramug, and my personal favorite, Mt. Tom State Park. Check the State of Connecticut website for directions, parking fees, and to see what facilities each park provides. Macedonia Brook State Park (Kent) My family went camping at Macedonia years ago and the thing that stuck out in my mind most was the absolutely breathtaking view from on top of the mountain.  We went in the fall and the vibrant gold, orange…

Hiking and lazy don't typically go together, but on a long summer day, a short relaxing hike with lots of spots to stop and soak in the beauty is sometimes just what you need. Offering a terrific little hike with easy terrain that even young kids can handle, the Brookfield Nature Center will not disappoint even the laziest visitors. The center encompasses 16 acres of forest, field and stream, providing plenty of diversity for bird watching, butterfly chasing or simply enjoying the serenity of nature.  Nestled off of Obtuse Hill Road (Route 133), this quiet spot could easily be missed. After …

This is the first of a series of occasional articles describing nature trails on conservation properties operated by the New Milford-based Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust. Each of the trust's 18 preserves, ranging from Newtown to Cornwall, are within an hour's drive of Brookfield, most within 20 minutes. The 34-acre Guarding Mountain Sanctuary in New Milford is the oldest of Weantinoge's properties, having been acquired in 1966. And it's showing its age; though the trail is only a mile long, it's largely unmaintained. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, since the trail goes to the top of …