The Unexpected US State That's Actually A Hiker's Paradise

For the ultimate, unforgettable hike, many Americans head to Utah for the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail, Washington for the Skyline Loop, or Hawaii for the Waikiki's Diamond Head trail. There are beautiful trails in every state of the union, but the one being hailed as the best for hikers may surprise you: Connecticut. In June 2023, a travel blogger named Nadia Podrabinek ranked the U.S. states on a scale of 1-100, dubbed the Hiking Index Score. Unexpectedly, the ranking published to Why This Place put Connecticut at #1. 

This data was widely shared and is even referenced by the Connecticut Tourism Office to encourage visitors to explore its hiking trails. Many agree that the data makes a compelling argument that the "Constitution State" is a hiker's paradise. Whether you're planning a challenging hiking expedition with your friends, a fun day trip with your family, or a serene trip into nature by yourself, Connecticut might be the perfect destination for you.

To decide on your ideal hiking destination, you'll have to figure out which factors matter most to you. Based on the research done by Podrabinek, Connecticut might be a contender. To determine which state has the best hiking overall, Why This Place considered the weather, including temperature and how much rain they get, what percentage of the state is a national park, and how many hiking trails and waterfalls they have, proportional to their size. Connecticut is the third smallest state, making its average of 1,455 hiking trails per 1,000 square miles impressive. However, this also means that although national parks make up 8.5% of its composition (the highest percentage of any state), these locations cover far fewer actual square miles than they would for a large state.

There are a lot of different factors that go into choosing the perfect destination for outdoor adventures. Along with beautiful landscapes, there are practical considerations like difficulty and distance of the route. For instance, the Appalachian Trail is undoubtedly one of the most epic adventures in the United States, but not everyone has five to seven months to commit to going. Angel's Landing gives hikers a staggering view, but not every hiker is ready to take on its potentially deadly heights and grueling switchbacks. It's worth noting that different rankings of states for hiking, which considered other factors, identified places like California, Arizona, West Virginia, and Vermont as the best.

Connecticut was ranked the best state for hiking because it has so many hiking trails to choose from — but which ones should you try? Users on Alltrails have chosen Chauncey Peak Trail, a short, hour-long hike that takes you around a beautiful, still reservoir, as the greatest in the state. Located close to Meriden, Connecticut, this trail can be rocky and muddy at times, but for seasoned hikers (and their dogs), the quick trip could be the perfect place to start hiking Connecticut's plethora of trails.

If you're looking for a longer, more relaxing route, consider the Airline State Park Trail by North Windham, Connecticut. You're more likely to encounter birds than other people on this trail. The walk from North Windham to Hampton will take about 3.5 hours, but it is a primarily secluded walk through shady woods, which most hikers will complete without too much difficulty. Just be aware that it isn't a loop, so you won't return to where you started!

Try Sleeping Giant Head Blue and Violet Loop for more of a challenge. This Sleeping Giant State Park trail takes you on a gorgeous, almost four-hour trip along a steep cliff to see incredible views of the forest below. For experienced hikers who love rock scrambles, this could be the highlight of your visit to Connecticut.