People all over the country are taking a walk this weekend for National Trails Day, and Connecticut is hosting its own Connecticut Trails Weekend across the state. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association has listed hundreds of options, from leisurely strolls, to walks through historical sites, to expert level hikes up steep terrain. Locally, many organizations are hosting events and hanging out welcome signs. For more hikes in the region, visit the hiking guide. For events specific to Trails Day, see our Trails Day calendar or visit www.ctwoodlands.org.

Avery Tract

65 Scotch Cap Road, Waterford

The Avery Tract features 100 acres of hardwood forest, including some large cliffs and a few unique tree species left over from the former owner’s tree farm on the property. It is owned by the Westfarms Land Trust.

Harkness Memorial State Park

Great Neck Road, Waterford

The former summer home of Edward and Mary Harkness, this park is home to expansive lawns that are perfect for picnics, a small beach and wildlife viewing platforms along Goshen Cove. The mansion is also open for tours on weekends and holidays during the summer. On the weekends the fee is $9 for in-state vehicles and $15 for out of state; weekdays it’s $6 for in-state and $7 for out of state. The park is owned by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Mamacoke Island

Benham Avenue, Waterford

Mamacoke Island is a 40-acre island with hills, sand flats and a two-hour hike with rewarding views of the Thames River. Long pants are suggested because of areas of thick brush and prickers, and running is prohibited in order to preserve the sensitive land. It is owned by Connecticut College.

Stenger Farm Park

Clark Lane, Waterford

Just up the road from Stop & Shop in Waterford is a 95-acre property that was once a dairy farm and racetrack. A wide, flat trail circles a pond on the property, and a more challenging hike goes through a swamp. There’s also a dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs. The park is owned the Town of Waterford.

Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve

Near Veterans Field on Route 161, East Lyme

Parking is in the lot for the softball field and a nearby sign directs you to the trail entrance.

This preserve is several trails of various lengths, the longest of which is about 3 miles and moderately strenuous and hilly in spots. The preserve is largely comprised of two major rock ridges running north and south; between the ridges is the ravine gouged out by glaciers. There are scenic views and wetlands throughout the area, including Clark Pond. A map can be found at the Oswegatchie Hills website. The area is owned by the Town of East Lyme and the East Lyme Land Conservation Trust.

Rocky Neck State Park

Route 156, East Lyme

The park has three main trails — red, blue, and white — of mostly easy terrain. Natural features include a scenic overlook, boulders, streams and an estuary. Fees are charged to get into the park from Memorial Day to Labor Day but there are no fees to enter from the trailhead. The park is owned by: State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. For more information, visit the DEEP website.

Chestnut Hill Preserve

Sterling Hill Road, Lyme

Parking is along the right side of Sterling Hill Road. This 40-acre preserve has trails with orange markers that connects to a trail in Nehantic State Forest. It passes by a small waterfall on Falls Brook and has mixed hardwood forests and stonewalls on upland areas. Terrain is easy to moderate in difficulty. Natural features include wetlands and streams. It is part of the watershed of the Wild & Scenic Eightmile River. The Lyme Land Conservation Trust owns the preserve and has two other nearby properties: Plimpton Preserve and Sterling City Preserve, both on Sterling City Road. For more information, visit the trust's website.