New England is known for its majestic nature, as tourists from throughout the country frequently travel here throughout the year to visit a variety of outdoor recreational areas. Our Connecticut adoption professionals make sure to take advantage of the fact that we live so close to so much natural beauty by taking family trips to places like Case Mountain Recreational Area. We think this is one of the most picturesque places to hike in Connecticut. If you’re looking to spend some quality time bonding with your kids in the outdoors, we recommend a visit here. Some of our favorite things about Case Mountain include:
Hiking & Mountain Biking Trails
In our opinion, Case Mountain has one of the most impressive trail systems in all of New England. However, these trails are a bit challenging. The terrain is very rocky and there are lots of hills. But if you’ve got some experience, the challenge is well worth it – you’ll be rewarded with some seriously jaw-dropping views. Hiking is fairly difficult, but mountain biking is even more of a challenge. However, there are some beginner trails available.
That being said, the trails are extremely popular with mountain biking enthusiasts. In a poll by Mountain Bike Magazine, readers voted Case Mountain as the Best Ride in Connecticut. There are many obstacles on the trails which make for a fun and challenging ride, such as:
- Rocky terrain
- Steep climbs and descents
- Rocks, logs, and boulders
- Man-made ladder bridges
We highly recommend taking a hike up the carriage path, which is a wide smooth gravel trail with white markings – making it much easier than the other trails. This will lead you all the way to the summit of Lookout Mountain (744 feet up), where you’ll be treated to some birds-eye views of Manchester.
Waterfalls & Case Pond Bridge
Case Mountain is home to some impressive waterfalls, which can be worth a visit during all four seasons. They’re located underneath the Case Pond Bridge. The best water-flow will be in spring and summer, but it’s also worth visiting in the fall to see the transformation of colors and even during the winter to see the frozen waterfalls surrounded by snow.
Geology & Ecology
The nature at Case Mountain is virtually untouched, and there is much to see and learn about during a hike or bike ride through this area. The trail system is surrounded mostly by second-growth deciduous forest. On the forest floor, you’ll find many boulders and rock gardens, which are remnants of the last ice age. If you take a hike along Shenipsit Trail, you’ll see large groups of chestnut oak, which are a very striking and popular species in the rocky mountainous areas of the Eastern United States.
