Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails
The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System is one of CFPA's most visible and lasting contributions to outdoor recreation in Connecticut. CFPA's first Trails Committee, established in 1929, was a small group of visionary outdoorsmen who laid out plans for four initial sections of a statewide forest trail system (New Haven, Waterbury, Litchfield, and Hartford) to be built and maintained by an all-volunteer force.
Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails Today
The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System currently totals over 825 miles of hiking trails in 88 Connecticut towns. The trails are maintained by dedicated volunteers who contribute approximately 15,000 hours to trail work every year. The structure for administering this massive effort consists of the Trails Committee, a full-time staff position (Trail Stewardship Director), and 100 volunteer Trail Managers. The trail volunteers are responsible for specific trails or for sections of the longer trails. They maintain the trails, schedule work parties, supervise other volunteers, and work with the landowners whose land the trails cross. The Trails Committee, as established in 1929, sets policy and standards for the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails, and produces the Connecticut Walk Book.
The majority of the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails are on private land and exist only through the good will and cooperation of the landowners. Changes in land use and the spread of development have created a serious threat to the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System. You can help! Please review A Guide to Protecting Our Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails. CFPA and the many trail volunteers need you to help protect the 'quality of life' enhanced by trails in each community.
CFPA welcomes new volunteers to help with the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails. Current volunteer opportunities are listed here.
Additionally, the Trails Committee organizes an Annual Trail Maintainers Workshop each spring, a Winter Trail Workshop, and schedules trail maintenance events throughout the year. These activities are led by seasoned trail volunteers and provide an excellent opportunity for land trusts, conservation commissions, park/rec agencies, and interested volunteers to learn trail construction and maintenance in a hands-on environment. Check the Trail Work Parties scheduled on our Events Calendar and join us on the next project or workshop. You'll find it's a fun and rewarding experience!
Important Notice: Due to the recent 2011 Department of Justice (DOJ) ruling on “Other power-driven mobility devices”, we are providing users of the blue-blazed hiking trails with the following important information. Click here.
