Why Winter Is This Connecticut Nature Reserve’s Secret Season

Despite the beauty of winter – fresh blankets of snow glistening in the afternoon sunlight, icicles dangling from rooftops, and snowmen decorating yards – cabin fever often strikes many of us, especially as we inch closer to the warmer days of spring. Even though the chilly temperatures might intimidate us a bit, winter is an idyllic time for an adventure. Fewer people tend to be outdoors, making this enchanting winter destination in Connecticut a must-visit this season.

Earmark time for a winter visit to Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, a 700-acre nature preserve in Burlington that offers the chance to relax and recharge. Welcoming guests to explore its trails year-round from sunrise to sunset, the nature reserve also has a Visitor Center that is open select hours during the week. If you visit when it’s open, head indoors to view the educational exhibits that offer insight into local wildlife before hitting one of the more than half a dozen trails.

The scenic trails range in difficulty from easy to hard, offering an adventure for hikers of all ages and skill levels. At just .09 miles, the Forest Meadow Trail is the easiest, shortest, and a good introduction to the nature reserve if it’s your first visit. The meandering path leads through woods and past several educational markers, where you’ll learn about decaying logs, stonewalls, and woodworking.

Hike to a waterfall on the easy 2.7-mile Freeman Hill Brook Waterfall Trail, an out-and-back path that usually takes less than 90 minutes to complete. If you’re in the mood for an all-day challenge, bundle up for the 17-mile Burlington Loop via Sessions Woods Trail. Earning a hard rating, the trail travels through the forest, over footbridges, and past rock formations and streams.

However, all of the natural beauty comes with such challenges as an overall elevation gain of 2,093 feet, rocky and uneven terrain, water crossings, and muddy conditions after it rains. Allot at least seven hours for your hike, which requires sturdy hiking shoes. Don’t forget to pack snacks and water.

Keep an eye out for wildlife, too, including turtles, foxes, beavers, and deer, and don’t be surprised if a chipmunk scurries in front of you. Black bears have also been spotted in the nature reserve. Before you head out on the trails, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection advises you know what to do in case of an encounter with a black bear, including remaining calm and picking up small children. Bear spray is also considered effective.

Find more, including trail maps and current alerts, on Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area on the official website of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. The nature reserve in Burlington also has a free parking lot with ample space.

If all of that exploration has you motivated to hike even more, check out some of the best winter hikes in Connecticut on AllTrails+.  Before you head out on another hike, though, consider spending a day or longer in the charming town of Burlington that’s known as perhaps the most haunted town in Connecticut.

What’s your favorite winter destination in Connecticut? Let us know. Nominate it, and we might feature the nominee in an upcoming article. And if you want to take the guesswork out of planning your next Connecticut getaway, give our new Travel Planner a try!