For a small state, there are a ton of great trails in Connecticut! We’ve got all kinds of hikes to satisfy your appetite for getting outdoors and exploring. If you like a hike with great views, Bigelow Hollow State Park is the spot for you. This massive park has a beautiful trail that will take you past not one, not two, but three ponds! There are a variety of trails here – some loop, but most connect to one another, so you can plan out an itinerary ahead of time based on how far you want to go. With such a versatile trail system of more than 25 miles of trails, you can make your trek as long or as short as you want.

For this article, we'll focus on the 11.8-mile Bigelow Hollow Pond, Mashapaug Lake, and Breakneck Pond loop. This trail circles past all three lakes, so you've got some great waterfront views.
Mark Glaude/Alltrails
Of course, if you're looking for something a little shorter, you certainly don't have to go the entire distance!
Chuck Nelson/Alltrails
There are a few hills throughout the distance, so the inclines will give your calves a workout. If you aren't used to hiking, you may find it best to start with a shorter portion of the trail.
The views here are lovely! There are both forested areas, and, of course, the waterfront parts.
Joanne Britton/Alltrails

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Some of the spots can get a little narrow, and there's lots of terrain changes to keep it interesting. You'll run into rocky areas, gravel, sand, dirt, and more.
liza Arsenault Morrell/Alltrails
It's a great spot for a hike with a dog. They'll love hopping in the water to cool off.
Nicole Elsinger/Alltrails
It can definitely get a bit buggy right by the water, so don't forget your insect repellent.
Jason Harris/Alltrails
Bigelow Hollow borders Nipmuck State Forest, so with all that preserved land, you're likely to see some wildlife. Keep an eye out for birds and other critters!
Zac S./Alltrails

For more information about the trail, check out the page on Alltrails.

Have you hiked the trails at Bigelow Hollow State Park? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!

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Bigelow Hollow State Park, 298 Bigelow Hollow Rd, Union, CT 06076, USA