One of the greatest benefits of being stationed in New England is the beautiful fall season. Given the ongoing precautions of COVID-19, many of us are limited to a certain number of miles from home. So perhaps a weekend getaway to Maine or Vermont is out of reach. The good news is you don’t have to travel far for beautiful foliage. And the latest report suggests Connecticut will reach peak foliage October 5-November 7. So make a plan and get out while you can!
Last October my husband and I discovered Giuffrida Park, about an hour drive from Groton.
Located just outside Merdian, Connecticut, the park sits in an assuming spot just off Interstate 91. We were greeted with beautiful, bold fall colors and cold, crisp, October air. The park has an impressive network of trails, many of which you can combine for longer loops. We went for the Chauncey Peak Trail, a “moderate” 2.2. mile loop that took us through flat, wooded meadows and up onto a rocky ridge line. The hike was perfect for my conditions at the time (33 weeks pregnant), not to mention our corgi in tow. We took it slow and didn’t break a sweat, and enjoyed every minute of it. I imagine this hike would be perfect for baby wearing (we plan to do it again) or even with a few young children tagging along.
Here are some highlights:
Have you found any other fall foliage hikes? Tell us and comment below!
Sleeping Giant Tower Trail – as of 10/11/2020
-parking reached max. cap. late morning
-bathroom trailer available in the parking lot
-lots of people and dogs, but it’s a wide trail
-gorgeous view at the top
-tower is currently opened and require a mask
-follow main trail to get to the tower