Enjoy an outdoor adventure in Norfolk any time of year. In spring, summer and fall, hike Land Trust trails or cycle back roads in Great Mountain Forest. Drive up Haystack Mountain or Dennis Hill for a view and a picnic, launch your boat on Wood Creek Pond or cool off at the foot of Campbell Falls. Winter is perfect for cross country skiing, ice fishing, skating or snowshoeing. Birding or picnicking are good any time.
Dennis Hill State Park
Hike to the summit of Dennis Hill for panoramic views reaching as far away as New Hampshire. Haystack Mountain, Mount Greylock, the Green Mountains and a portion of the state of New Hampshire can be seen from the summit in clear weather. You can enjoy a picnic at the top or find a place along one of the trail loops. This 240-acre park was originally the estate of Dr. Frederick Dennis, who built an elaborate pavilion for his summer use.
Campbell Falls
Home to a 50-foot waterfall, Campbell Falls State Park is a natural reserve area offering hiking trails and stream fishing. You can sit on the rocks and picnic or enjoy the pool at the foot of the falls.
Within the park, the Whiting River falls through a tight gorge, changing direction from left to right, then thundering down 50 feet into a wide pool. Its power in early spring is a real surprise, considering the gentle terrain of the trail and the surrounding forest.
Haystack Mountain State Park
Norfolk’s Haystack Mountain, visible from downtown and many other locations, is home to a forested state park full of wildflowers and birds. You can park near the top, then walk up the trail to its iconic lookout tower or enjoy the many other trails that crisscross its slopes. A meadow and pond with picnic tables are halfway up the drive.
Great Mountain Forest
This unique working forest of more than 6,000 acres offers hiking, cycling, skiing or snowshoeing on its roads and trails. The forest is actively managed for forest products and wildlife habitat, and extensively used for research and educational purposes, including public lectures and workshops. Park near the trailhead at 201 Windrow Road and sign in.
In late winter, when the weather cooperates, Great Mountain Forest taps its sugar maples and boils down the sap to produce syrup. Visitors are welcome at the sugar house in season; call ahead if you want to be sure it’s open. Oh, yes, the birding is great! Information and a trail map reside on the forest website.
Aton Forest
This 1,500-acre, private ecological research forest is a magnet for bird watchers; walks along heavily-wooded South Sandisfield, North Colebrook, State Line Hill and Churchill roads are highly rewarding. Staff members welcome visitor groups but require that you contact them at atonforest@gmail.com in advance if you want access within the preserve. Aton Forest also holds public workshops, nature walks and other events throughout the year.
Land Trust Trails
A comprehensive network of trails is maintained by the Norfolk Land Trust. Recently the town’s Rails to Trails committee has been working to upgrade some for cycling and hiking. All trails are open to the public and offer the opportunity for nature study, photography or just unwinding, as well as a glimpse of Norfolk history.
For example, in the late 19th century Norfolk’s forested hills were mostly denuded by the local iron industry’s insatiable demand for charcoal. Today, little can be seen of all the past activity except for traces where the numerous charcoal mounds once stood. One of these spots is visible at the end of the North Swamp Trail behind Botelle Elementary School.
Trails begin right near the Norfolk village green and maps are available on the Land Trust website.
Wood Creek Pond
Take your canoe or kayak to the state boat launch site on Wood Creek Pond and paddle north to check out Holleran Swamp; you may even spot a pitcher plant or two. If you have a fishing license, Wood Creek Pond is paradise for fishermen. Its cold spring water is teaming with large-mouth bass and other fish that love to hide under the lily pads. There is some shoreline fly-fishing, but a canoe or a kayak is the way to explore this pond.
For information on fishing licenses including one-day fishing licenses click here. Be sure and bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a couple of hours out on the water.
City Meadow
For all those who enjoy a brisk walk but want it short and sweet, the boardwalk in City Meadow offers a quick circuit of a wetland bird sanctuary that is home to at least 72 species. The main access is from Robertson Plaza in downtown Norfolk, but there is a way in from Shepard Road, next to the firehouse, that doesn’t have any stairs. A platform near the center offers a chance to stop and observe.
Places to Picnic
Norfolk has a wealth of places to enjoy a picnic. Dennis Hill offers both a pavilion and grassy slopes—all with a great view. There are pond-side tables halfway up Haystack Mountain, places for blankets at Wood Creek Pond and boulders to sit on at Campbell Falls. Any of Norfolk’s trails offer fallen logs, big rocks or patches of grass to use as a stopping point.
If you don’t have time to go anywhere, but still want to be outdoors, there are tables on Robertson Plaza right in the middle of town; the plaza overlooks City Meadow and has a view all the way to the tower on Haystack Mountain.
Note: Whatever place you choose, you can get a variety of great food from any of Norfolk’s downtown restaurants. Pack it all in your basket and head on out!
Cycling
With 54 miles of paved roads and a variety of woods roads and trails, Norfolk is full of opportunities for cycling. There are plenty of hills to exercise your legs and a variety of scenery to enjoy from early spring till the end of fall.
If you’re feeling competitive, the Norfolk Curling Club joins forces with the town Rails to Trails Committee every October to sponsor the Tour de Forest, a cycling event that loops from the Curling Club through Great Mountain Forest and back to the Curling Club again.
Winter Sports
In the winter, Norfolk—long famed as the Icebox of Connecticut—has plenty of sports to enjoy. Norfolk’s miles of trails offer cross-country skiers the choice of a variety of terrain and distances, whether it’s in Great Mountain Forest or on one of the trails maintained by the Land Trust. Snowshoes are another popular way of getting around and there is skating on Wood Creek Pond and the town rink when the weather is right.
Even though it’s indoors these days, curling is a quintessential Norfolk sport. The popular Norfolk Curling Club is happy to see visitors during bonspiels and its other events from November to April. It offers Learn-to-Curl classes to the public (see its calendar for a schedule) and welcomes new members.