Nutmeg State outdoor enthusiasts are well aware that we have many great hiking trails in Connecticut. They're peppered all over the state and come in quite a variety of "flavors": waterfall hikes, kid-friendly jaunts through the woods, all-day treks... we've truly got it all here. But many people don't realize that you can hike part of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut! That's right, part of one of the most famous hikes in the entire world runs right through the Nutmeg State. While most people aren't up for exploring the entire 2,198.4 miles of the A.T., enjoying just a small segment of the trail is much more manageable, and that's just what you'll find in Connecticut! Check it out so that if someone were to ask you, “Where is the Appalachian Trail?” you’d know what to tell them!

The Appalachian Trail runs nearly 2,200 miles, from Georgia all the way up to Maine. It's said to be the longest hiking-only trail in the entire world.

The A.T. runs through 14 states, one of which is our very own Connecticut!

The portion of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut is about 52 miles long and runs through the western part of the state.

The area is within the Housatonic River Valley, and it's quite beautiful.

The entire portion of the A.T. within Connecticut takes about 26 hours of hiking to complete over three to five days, which is beyond most of our abilities!

Even so, it's perfectly possible to enjoy a shorter, easier section of the trail, even if you're a novice hiker.

A three-quarter mile section of the trail that runs alongside the Housatonic River was the first part of the Appalachian Trail to become universally accessible.

This particular section of the trail has a very gentle grade and is maintained so that the ground is wheelchair-friendly. It's located near Falls Village.

You may not be able to make it through the entire Appalachian Trail, but most of us are capable of at least completing a small portion!

For more information about the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut, check out the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website.

Have you ever hiked along this trail? Is so, what part did you enjoy the most? Would you agree that this is perhaps one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Connecticut? Where do you like to go hiking in Connecticut? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

For more state parks that fly under the radar, check out this article on another underrated state park in Connecticut.

If you really enjoy hiking, you'll also want to read about these 8 stunning boardwalks that are definitely worth a visit.

Thinking about taking a Connecticut vacay soon? Then consider booking your flight via the Dollar Flight Club.

If you’re still in the mood for more Connecticut adventures, take a look at this video: