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Trekking Program
Get outside and explore the many trails and open space in Ridgefield! Ridgefield is privileged to have a variety of beautiful open spaces just waiting to be explored. From easy flat walks to strenuous uphill climbs, there is something for every level of fitness and hiking ability.
Here's how it works:
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Pick your trail from our interactive map.
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Scan the QR code at the beginning of the trail. Log your trek when you are finished. Include photos and comments on what you see!
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Each time a trail is completed it will be logged. There must be a form submitted for every trail completed in order for it to be counted.
Experience nature and work towards a goal that motivates you!
Sunrise Birding at Bennett's Pond. Saturday, October 25 from 7 - 9am
Bennett's Pond State Park is one of the best spots for birdwatching in Ridgefield, and late October is a great time to explore the trails at sunrise and see what species can be glimpsed alongside the gorgeous fall foliage! Bring binoculars and dress in layers as it may be chilly when we start! We recommend wearing hiking boots or supportive shoes as there will be some inclines, muddy spots, rocks, and tree roots. We will be doing a ~2 mile loop from the parking lot down to the pond and back. The walk will take us through forest, meadow, and wetland habitats, which should offer opportunities to see a wide range of bird species from warblers to wood ducks! Meet in the main parking lot on Bennett's Farm Road. For GPS directions, enter Bennett's Pond State Park, Ridgefield CT.
This program is in partnership with the Woodcock Nature Center and Ridgefield Parks and Recreation.
This program is in partnership with the Woodcock Nature Center and Ridgefield Parks and Recreation.
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Bringing the Community Together Outdoors
Thank you to our Partners!
Thank you to our Co-Sponsors!
Explore Ridgefield Parks and Open Spaces
Click on map to explore parks and open spaces in Ridgefield
Ridgefield Recreation Center Trails
195 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield
The Recreation Center campus is lined with smooth, paved trails. You can walk, run or bike on them. There are three different trails to choose from (.19 miles, .24 miles, and 1.17 miles). Our trails have been carefully designed to provide a variety of options for all fitness levels. Bring a picnic, stop at our Sky’s the Limit Playground or you can even workout at our Outdoor Fitness Garden.
The Recreation Center campus is lined with smooth, paved trails. You can walk, run or bike on them. There are three different trails to choose from (.19 miles, .24 miles, and 1.17 miles). Our trails have been carefully designed to provide a variety of options for all fitness levels. Bring a picnic, stop at our Sky’s the Limit Playground or you can even workout at our Outdoor Fitness Garden.
McKeon Farm
7 Old Stagecoach Rd, Ridgefield
In addition to grazing pastures, the 43 acres comprising the McKeon Farm open space consists of differing habitats including hillside meadows, forests, wet meadows and pastures. This diversity provides important native habitats for a variety of birds, butterflies, flora and fauna.
Learn more about this very special place by walking the designated trail. Informational sign locations are marked with a star on the map to the left.
Additional parking is available on Old Stagecoach Road..
In addition to grazing pastures, the 43 acres comprising the McKeon Farm open space consists of differing habitats including hillside meadows, forests, wet meadows and pastures. This diversity provides important native habitats for a variety of birds, butterflies, flora and fauna.
Learn more about this very special place by walking the designated trail. Informational sign locations are marked with a star on the map to the left.
Additional parking is available on Old Stagecoach Road..
Pine Mountain
149 Pine Mountain Road, Ridgefield
Pine Mountain boasts extensive mountain laurel plantings at the start of the trail; a large glacial erratic rock perched on the ridge is evidence
of glacial activity. This rock marks one of the highest points between the coast and West Point, and during the Revolutionary War soldiers set fires atop it in order to relay signals.
By trail from Lake Windwing, Bennett's Pond, Hemlock Hills, and via the Ives Trail from Wooster Mountain.
Pine Mountain boasts extensive mountain laurel plantings at the start of the trail; a large glacial erratic rock perched on the ridge is evidence
of glacial activity. This rock marks one of the highest points between the coast and West Point, and during the Revolutionary War soldiers set fires atop it in order to relay signals.
By trail from Lake Windwing, Bennett's Pond, Hemlock Hills, and via the Ives Trail from Wooster Mountain.
Kiah's Brook
100 Barlow Mountain Road, Ridgefield
Kiah’s Brook Refuge and Titicus Preserve are a collection of land
parcels dedicated to the protection of the Titicus River and its river habitat. A network of trails leads through the wetlands and forested uplands.
Kiah’s Brook Refuge and Titicus Preserve are a collection of land
parcels dedicated to the protection of the Titicus River and its river habitat. A network of trails leads through the wetlands and forested uplands.
NOD HILL REFUGE/ WEIR FARM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
746 Nod Hill Road, Wilton
The topography of the farm undulates between gentle and steep slopes, including glacial boulders and outcroppings, successional old fields, woodlands, meadows rimmed with stone walls, a pond, and wetlands.
Bordering the 37-acre National Historic Site is the 30-acre Nod Hill Refuge owned by the Town and 19 acres owned by the State of Connecticut, resulting in a combined site of 86 acres. South of the Weir Farm site, the Nature Conservancy owns the 110-acre Weir Preserve.
The topography of the farm undulates between gentle and steep slopes, including glacial boulders and outcroppings, successional old fields, woodlands, meadows rimmed with stone walls, a pond, and wetlands.
Bordering the 37-acre National Historic Site is the 30-acre Nod Hill Refuge owned by the Town and 19 acres owned by the State of Connecticut, resulting in a combined site of 86 acres. South of the Weir Farm site, the Nature Conservancy owns the 110-acre Weir Preserve.
Woodcock Nature Center
56 Deer Run Road, Wilton, off of Nod Road in Ridgefield.
Trails include a boardwalk extending into a swamp and 3 miles of woodland trails with views of vernal pools and Spectacle Brook.
Mountain laurel, oak, hickory, beech, sweet pepperbush, and ferns abound in the preserve. Wood ducks often nest here and otters have been sighted.
The center is home to a variety of creatures including snakes, frogs, and lizards, and a small number of injured birds of prey.
Trails include a boardwalk extending into a swamp and 3 miles of woodland trails with views of vernal pools and Spectacle Brook.
Mountain laurel, oak, hickory, beech, sweet pepperbush, and ferns abound in the preserve. Wood ducks often nest here and otters have been sighted.
The center is home to a variety of creatures including snakes, frogs, and lizards, and a small number of injured birds of prey.
Sturges Park
217 Rippowam Road, Ridgefield
The Parks and Recreation Department maintains several campsites and a mowed meadow. There are two fire pits, one adjacent to the meadow at the center of the site and one surrounded by lean-tos on the west side of the park. Woodland paths connect the campsites with one
another and with the meadow. The park gives access to trails in the Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park in Lewisboro, NY. Mountain Lakes Park covers over 1,000 acres in Westchester County, New York, along the western border of Ridgefield. It has a large trail system, five lakes, and an overlook of Rippowam Lake and Lake Waccabuc.
The Parks and Recreation Department maintains several campsites and a mowed meadow. There are two fire pits, one adjacent to the meadow at the center of the site and one surrounded by lean-tos on the west side of the park. Woodland paths connect the campsites with one
another and with the meadow. The park gives access to trails in the Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park in Lewisboro, NY. Mountain Lakes Park covers over 1,000 acres in Westchester County, New York, along the western border of Ridgefield. It has a large trail system, five lakes, and an overlook of Rippowam Lake and Lake Waccabuc.
Lake Windwing
13 South Shore Drive, Ridgefield
This 102-acre open space has baseball fields, a flat meadow, trails, and includes the 15-acre lake on a tributary of the Saugatuck River. It includes properties of the Conservation Commission and Parks and Recreation Department.
This 102-acre open space has baseball fields, a flat meadow, trails, and includes the 15-acre lake on a tributary of the Saugatuck River. It includes properties of the Conservation Commission and Parks and Recreation Department.
Shadow Lake
175 Shadow Lake Road, Ridgefield
The trail starts at the baseball field and follows an old road to the lake. Continuing south around the pond, the trail crosses an earthen dam. Beyond the dam, the trail follows old deer tracks through an evergreen forest around the lake and crosses a couple of small seasonal streams feeding the lake. Returning to the north, the trail follows the inlet stream out to Shadow Lake Road. Walk 100 yards west on the road to return to the parking lot. A brook crossing has been provided to avoid the road walk.
The trail starts at the baseball field and follows an old road to the lake. Continuing south around the pond, the trail crosses an earthen dam. Beyond the dam, the trail follows old deer tracks through an evergreen forest around the lake and crosses a couple of small seasonal streams feeding the lake. Returning to the north, the trail follows the inlet stream out to Shadow Lake Road. Walk 100 yards west on the road to return to the parking lot. A brook crossing has been provided to avoid the road walk.
Sarah Bishop
28 Sarah Bishop Road, Ridgefield
Sarah Bishop’s elevated trail and bridge provide a good wetlands platform for viewing amphibians and reptiles basking in Spring and Summer sun. Part of this trail follows a deserted railroad bed that was to be used as a rail line that would run from Golden’s Bridge to Danbury. The tracks were removed during World War I, so the steel could be used for the war effort, and the railroad plan was abandoned The elevated walkway through the wetlands and the ridge trail are adjacent to private land. Be careful to follow the marked trails and stay on open space.
Sarah Bishop’s elevated trail and bridge provide a good wetlands platform for viewing amphibians and reptiles basking in Spring and Summer sun. Part of this trail follows a deserted railroad bed that was to be used as a rail line that would run from Golden’s Bridge to Danbury. The tracks were removed during World War I, so the steel could be used for the war effort, and the railroad plan was abandoned The elevated walkway through the wetlands and the ridge trail are adjacent to private land. Be careful to follow the marked trails and stay on open space.
Aldrich Park
2 New Road, Ridgefield
Aldrich Park has a series of woodland trails with many outcroppings of ledge, boulder fields, glacial erratics, and stone walls. One of its many attractions is the Winter views of the Redding ridge tops and Norwalk River wetlands near Stonehenge Pond and Route 7 from the yellow and blue trails. In Spring pileated, red Bellied, and downy woodpeckers have been sighted as well as red-tailed hawks soaring in the wind.
Aldrich Park has a series of woodland trails with many outcroppings of ledge, boulder fields, glacial erratics, and stone walls. One of its many attractions is the Winter views of the Redding ridge tops and Norwalk River wetlands near Stonehenge Pond and Route 7 from the yellow and blue trails. In Spring pileated, red Bellied, and downy woodpeckers have been sighted as well as red-tailed hawks soaring in the wind.
Peterson Gorge/Ridgebury Slope
35 Virginia Court, Ridgefield
96 Partridge Drive, Ridgefield
This loop trail runs along a ridge and stream with several bridge crossings and is ideal for family exploration. The sandy ridge offers an unusually varied stand of evergreens. Wildflowers, including trout lily and jack-in-the-pulpit, are abundant in Spring, and there are large areas of horsetail and ferns. The Snake Lake wetland is home for frogs, salamanders, and turtles.
96 Partridge Drive, Ridgefield
This loop trail runs along a ridge and stream with several bridge crossings and is ideal for family exploration. The sandy ridge offers an unusually varied stand of evergreens. Wildflowers, including trout lily and jack-in-the-pulpit, are abundant in Spring, and there are large areas of horsetail and ferns. The Snake Lake wetland is home for frogs, salamanders, and turtles.
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