In 1929, the Connecticut Forest & Park Association established the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System to better connect people to the land.
The trails have grown over time to include roughly 825 miles of public hiking footpaths across the State of Connecticut. The trails are maintained by dedicated volunteer maintainers and provide the hiking public with an outdoor experience of peace and respite. CFPA maintains these trails to keep them safe for hiking and to ensure that any environmental impact is minimal.
The trail system enjoys wide recognition and use throughout the State. The public has recognized the importance of these Trails as hiking trails, as Section 23-10a of the Connecticut Statutes states, “Those portions of the Connecticut blue-blazed trail system which cross state property are hereby designated as state hiking trails.”
Also, in 2001 the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System was designated an official state “greenway” by the Governor and the Connecticut Greenways Council. As a result of the Greenway designation, the Trail System has been included in the State Plan of Conservation and Development.
Land Acknowledgment