There's Almost Nothing A Hike In Connecticut Nature At Whittemore Glen State Park Scenic Reserve Can't Cure
By Lisa Sammons|Published October 21, 2022
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Lisa Sammons
Author
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
We are lucky enough to have plenty of great trails in Connecticut. With all of our wonderful state parks, state forests, and nature preserves, the list of wonderful hikes in the Nutmeg State is virtually endless. We have a few undeveloped state parks that lack the amenities you might find at other better-known parks. Even without picnic shelters or visitors’ centers, these parks provide ample opportunities to get in touch with nature and get out and explore. One of these undeveloped areas in Connecticut is Whittemore Glen State Park, a 242-acre plot that borders the Naugatuck State Forest.
Whittemore Glen State Park Scenic Reserve is home to the Larkin Trail. This rails-to-trail project measures just over 10 miles.
The trail travels through Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, and Southbury. It follows along an old rail line from the 1880s that once carried passengers to New York.
By 1931, passenger freight was far less popular than it had once been and the line became used only for freight. In 1939, even freight travel was stopped, and the rail line was abandoned.
The Larkin Trail has great views at any time of year. The trail's tranquil path will lead you through rolling hills, beautiful farm lands, forests, and wetlands.