pennwood state park

This is a lovely park with lots of trails, a nice lake, picnic areas and your dog will love it. Great hiking. I have even ridden my horse there on some of the trails on the backside of the mountain. Vet nice

For a change of pace when the winter is dragging on, we enjoy a weekend walk in Penwood. Last year we rediscovered this state park when we needed a place to stretch our legs (and the dog's). There are a variety of hiking trails as well as the road to walk along. If you go out to the edge of the ridge you get a great view of the Farmington Valley and points west. Coming around to the east, you catch glimpses of Hartford. The history of Penwood is quite fascinating - originally owned and developed by Hartford industrialist Curtis Veeder. (here's the website: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325248).Please note that the correct spelling is Penwood.

Very nice. Several trails to select from with varying levels of difficulty. There are frequent events at Hueblien (?) Tower. Beautiful vistas. People trek in all seasons. Some snow show / cross country ski during the winter. The tower has a very nice, interesting museum. Dog and kid friendly. Gets muddy with rain- hiking boots a must even on the easier trails. You can also drive part of the way up if you are unable to do the walk. There are several eating establishments close by to cap off the day. A very good Oktoberfest is held each year. You can make an hour of it or a complete day. Restrooms at the top and bottom of the mountain.

The Appalachian Trail runs through this relatively small park. There is also an old road that makes a five mile loop. There is a beautiful lake on one side, a remarkable panoramic view on the other and a swamp pond around the middle of the loop. When I lived near there I walked there at least twice a week and was never bored.

there's a parking lot off Simsbury Rd in Bloomfield with a choice of paths to take. Cliffside walks are especially fun, with views to one side and rocky outcrops to the other. You can connect with other trails that take you further up into Wilcox Park in northern Bloomfield. There you'll find panoramic views into the Farmington River valley.

X-C ski from the Hartford Road/ Simsbury Road entrance.You are on the Metacomet Trail, which goes for many miles.You are across the street from the trail to the Heublein Tower, which is not to miss.

I really love the versatility of this park for hiking. My favorite hike is to go in on the black trail (it's the one on the left) and hike straight back on an old crumbling road to the mountain face, veer to the left and follow the blue trail up the mountain on a trail of partially made stairs of rock then at the top go to the left up 50 feet to the best view of Simsbury. What a great hike. My eight year old boy and I did it in the rain and he was impressed with the view you can imagine a nice day! Once you're finished there follow the trail down to a paved road to a pond "lake Louise" and you will have three ways to go. I take the middle trial (blue) up the path. A great hike that meanders along the ridge, no views but really quaint and you'll come across the rock sackings. If you take that route it's about two hours round trip. enjoy