One of the best ways to bask in the beauty of Connecticut is by taking one of its wilderness trails. If you’re new to hiking, you’ll want to start with some easy trails, and this one near Hamden is just perfect for beginners.

Sleeping Giant State Park is a true gem in Connecticut's state park system. After a microburst caused considerable damage to the park in 2018, the park reopened in April of 2019, and it's just as beautiful as ever.
Brandon Beech/Alltrails
One of the best ways to explore the park is by taking a hike on the Tower Trail. It's a short, easy stroll that's just 3.2 miles, round trip.
David Bernosky/Alltrails
The trail is easy enough for hikers of all ages and abilities. With just a 616-foot elevation change, you won't exert much energy as you make your way up the side of Mount Carmel.
Candy Ale/Alltrails
The views along the trail are stunning. You'll see the little town of Hamden below, and a tree-filled vista that stretches for miles.
Joseph Fleming/Alltrails

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Make sure you bring your camera to capture all these great views!
Tiffany Zhou/Alltrails
At the summit of Mount Carmel, you'll reach a four-story observation tower. It was built in 1936 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mailoha/Tripadvisor
Make your way up the stairs to the top level of the tower...
Kevin Ridlon/Alltrails
...and you'll see more of the incredible vistas that this 1,500-acre park is famous for.
Debbie Samilenko/Alltrails
You're welcome to bring your pup along on this hike, as long as you keep him on a leash. Be aware that parts of the park have recently been resurfaced, and some pet owners have noticed that their dogs' paws are irritated and inflamed after hiking here. The rough surface will eventually smooth out as people hike on it, but for now, you'll want to take precautions.

Have you hiked the Sleeping Giant Tower Trail? Give our readers some tips in the comments!

If you’re looking for another easy hike, take this short, sweet hike to a pretty little Connecticut waterfall.

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