Looking for trails in Connecticut in unique settings? Maybe you're bored of parks and mountains and want something a little more off the wall. Did you know that there are trails on the grounds of an abandoned psychiatric hospital in Newtown? Fairfield Hills Hospital's massive campus was left abandoned when the hospital closed. The city and private donors are beginning the process of of redevelopment. The site now houses a youth complex, a trail, and municipal administrative buildings.
Fairfield Hills Hospital opened in 1929 under the name Fairfield State Hospital. The facility was a psychiatric treatment institution that once served more than 4,000 patients.
Thankfully, medical treatment has now moved away from institutionalization of those suffering from mental illness and disability. At the time Fairfield Hills was open, many procedures that would now be considered unethical were performed. Lobotomies and electroshock therapy were commonplace at Fairfield and other institutions of the time period. Such mistreatment of patients has led to rumors that the hospital grounds are haunted.
The trail on the hospital grounds is just under three miles in length. It encircles the buildings and is mostly paved.
There isn't much elevation gain, so it's a great hike for those with kids that might struggle with more difficult hikes.
For more of a challenge, you can go off the paved path and explore, but staying on the path makes for the easiest and most accessible route.
The views here are stunning! The rolling meadows are filled with wildflowers in the spring. In colder months, you can check out the many buildings that remain from the hospital's heyday.
This is a particularly great walk for those who want a family-friendly outing or might not be up for a more difficult woodsy hike.
For more information about the Fairfield Hills Loop, check out Alltrails.
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