Trails in Connecticut are usually marked by blazes of paint on trees or rocks and are generally easy to follow. If you see a single blaze on a tree it means the trail will go straight for a while. If you see a single blaze with another one above it to the right it means the trail is turning right. If you see a single blaze with another above it to the left it means the trail turns left.

1. Bring ample amounts of water. At least one quart per person. Trail snacks are optional or mandatory depending on how long/far the hike is. Gorp is suggested for a snack (good old raisins and peanuts). You want something which provides a good energy burst.
2. Wear appropriate clothing. Hiking boots are suggested for CT Trails. These protect your feet from jagged rocks and provide more cushion and stability than sneakers. In addition, dress in layers. It often gets very cold and windy atop a mountain summit. Fleece and Wool clothes are good because they keep you warm even when they get wet, unlike cotton.
3. It is suggested that you don't hike alone. If you do please tell someone where you are going and when you are expected to return. Cell phones are wonderful but often lose service in the deep woods.
4. Plan enough time for your hike. It always gets darker faster in the woods. The trees block the sun's light and sometimes the sun "sets" earlier when hiking since you may have a mountain in front of it. Trust me, you do not want to hike in the dark. Walking into trees will be the least of your worries.
5. Be aware of where you are. What direction are you hiking in? Note your general direction and time by the location of the sun (rises in the east and sets in the west). Familiarize yourself with trail maps before hiking. I put all the CT DEP trail maps into my Iphone so now I can access them anywhere, whether I get service or not. You can also bring a GPS.
6. Know your wildlife. What plants should I avoid? Do you know what poison ivy or sumac looks like? What types of animals should I avoid (e.g. black bears)? Are there poisonous snakes in CT? There are three species of poisonous snakes in CT and being able to identify them is beneficial to hikers. Remember that wildlife is usually more afraid of you than you are of them. Make noise as you hike. Pretending to be a ninja is generally a bad idea. You don't want to "startle" a bear. If they hear you coming most likely they will be long gone before you arrive. Also, beware of ticks in Connecticut. Wear long pants, tuck clothes in and check yourself often. If you do get bit by a tick, remove it and keep it (in case testing is required). If you have lyme disease a "bull's eye" will form around the bite, but not always, and flu-like symptoms might occur. Being able to identify different types of ticks is also beneficial.
7. Watch your footing on a trail. Sometimes there can be holes or slick spots under leaves, etc. Look ahead of you as well. I misjudged a step from a rock to another one once and banged my knee pretty bad. I could have hurt myself so bad I would not have been able to walk out. Thus, caution is commendable when it comes to hiking.
8. Be careful in bringing pets. There were several spots where I had to hoist a 80lb shepherd up or down steep drops because she could not make it. Other than that I enjoyed bringing a dog on my hikes.
9. Some of the hikes I go on in Connecticut involve cliff walking. It is not dangerous if you exercise care but any time you walk next to a 200 or 300 foot drop straight down into rocks below there is significant danger.

Equipment that is Useful and Suggested:

• Sunglasses: in winter the reflectivity of snow can be blinding.
• Whistle: in case you get lost.
• Flashlight: good in case the sun goes down.
• Multi tool / Swiss Army Knife
• Candle and Matches or Lighter
• First Aid Kit
• Map and Compass
• Field Guides
• Water purification kit.
• Fishing line and hooks could be useful in some extreme situations.
• Toilet Paper: not only for using the bathroom, elevation changes caused two in my group to get nosebleeds one time.
• Trekking poles: protect the knees on steep ascents and descents.

You of course will need a hiking backpack to put it all in. Sometimes hikers can go a bit overboard. All of these things are very useful and can become life-savers in the right situation. When I go on a short hike (2-5 miles) and I am not in the deep woods (a major road is always within five miles) and I know where I am (have a trail map or have been there before) I generally just dress appropriately (hiking boots, shorts, and tshirt), bring a trail map, bug spray, lots of water and a snack. It is good to bring the cell phone and also let someone know what I am doing and where I am going if I set out alone. So don't think you need to pack luggage every time you go hiking but if you go on long hikes (greater than 5mi and especially if greater than 10mi) in deep woods it is recommended that you closely follow the hiking recommendations above.

See the CT Day Trips page and the CT Waterfalls page for hiking suggestions.