The Little Known Hiking Path in New Fairfield, Connecticut, is Our Favorite First Hike of the Year

Even if we’ve had a late night before, watching the ball drop and toasting the year ahead, there’s nothing like waking up on New Year’s Day to a fresh start. That first day of the year tends to be filled with traditions and, for some of us, rest as we gear up for life after the holidays. If you’ve got adventure on your mind, bundle up and follow this little known hiking path in New Fairfield, Connecticut, on our favorite first hike of the year.

Ring in the New Year with a leisurely trek along the Great Hollow Main Loop Trail, a short and sweet hike that meanders 2.4 miles through the Great Hollow Nature Preserve & Ecological Research Center in New Fairfield. You’ll only need about an hour to complete this loop trail, which is easy enough for the kiddos. If there’s snow on the ground, you might even want to slide on your skis or snowshoes for an afternoon of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the nature preserve.

If you’ve never been to Great Hollow Nature Preserve, use your GPS to lead you to a parking lot right off Pembroke Road, where you’ll pick up the trailhead. While the trail might get busy during the summer, it tends to be quiet in the winter. You shouldn’t face too many obstacles along this little known hiking path, but be prepared for a lot of mud and potentially icy conditions. Your best bet is to wear waterproof hiking shoes or boots you don’t mind getting muddy.

Take your time, if you can, as you wander along the Great Hollow Main Loop Trail, where you'll be treated to an abundance of natural beauty. Stroll through the forest, home to a beautiful, maybe even frozen, waterfall, cross over a fairy tale footbridge, and pass a small log structure. Listen for the calming sound of a stream’s flowing water, and look for mushrooms growing on trees.

The well-marked trail turns into a wonderland in winter, especially after it snows. Hiking poles are a good idea if you’re hiking when there’s ice and snow. Add a return visit to the Great Hollow Nature Preserve during the warmer months, when the path explodes with colorful wildflowers, and in the fall during the height of the foliage. The waterfall is usually at its most powerful after the snow melts.  

Learn more on the official website of Great Hollow Nature Preserve & Ecological Research Center, or stop by the Facebook page of this nature preserve in New Fairfield, Connecticut.

Have you trekked this little known hiking path in New Fairfield, Connecticut? If not, add it to your must-do list for the coming year. Do you have a favorite first-day hike in Connecticut? Let us know by filling out this nomination form, and we might cover it in a future article.

Get out and explore even more in the New Year by following one of the best hiking trails in Connecticut. For a comprehensive list that includes reader reviews, photos, and maps, check out AllTrails+.