A Pleasant Hike in Middletown, Connecticut

Long Hill Estate in Middletown, CT not only boasts a couple of picturesque hiking trails crossing its 103 acre, city-owned property, it is home to Wadsworth Mansion. The mansion makes a perfect setting for a wedding or other gatherings while the grounds of Long Hill Estate are open for public use. On the grounds, there are two, marked hiking trails - the blue blazed Perimeter Trail which is a 1.5 mile loop and the orange blazed Inner Trail - also called the Olmsted Loop Trail - that measures half a mile. Because the trails intersect at two points, it is easy to walk one loop and switch to the other to complete that one, too. They range from flat (the Inner Trail is mostly flat with only a slight grade in some points) to moderately steep inclines. The signboards along the trails point out various features - architectural, agricultural, and historical - around the estate. Additional hiking trails are not far away as Long Hill Estate is bordered on the west by Wadsworth Falls State Park which is home to eight more hiking trails that range from flat to extremely steep. There is a connecting trail to Wadsworth Falls State Park branching off of the Perimeter Trail.

My first experience with the Long Hill Estate hiking trails was several years ago. We followed the Inner Trail and part of the Perimeter Trail. Our trip was not planned in advance so we didn't have the time to complete the loop. Though the walk isn't long, we spent quite a bit of time taking in the sights along the way. Our plans to return and finish the trail always seemed to get put off. It wasn't until recently that we returned - this time with a twist.

While hiking the trails on Long Hill Estate is a great experience, I recommend making it an even better experience by taking the 'Wadsworth Mansion - A Little Bit of History' letterbox adventure. Going on a letterbox adventure is like hunting for buried treasure! Depending on the adventure, you may need to call upon orienteering skills or know the difference between a hemlock and a Scotch pine. What all letterbox adventures have in common is that at least one box that houses a rubber stamp and a logbook is buried somewhere along a trail and you are given clues to find it. For more information about letterboxing and to learn how to get started, visit Letterboxing.org. The letterbox adventure, Wadsworth Mansion - A Little Bit of History will have you trek over portions of both of Long Hill's hiking trails while tracking down the locations of 6 hidden boxes. For the clues to this adventure visit http://letterboxing.org/BoxView.php?boxnum=46497&boxname=Wadsworth_Mansion-A_Little_Bit_Of_History. This adventure was my family's first letterboxing experience. We thoroughly enjoyed it!

Long Hill Estate and Wadsworth Mansion is located at 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown, CT 06457 and has ample, free parking on-site. Wadsworth Falls State Park also offers ample parking but it is not free. Pets on a leash are welcomed at both Long Hill Estate and Wadsworth Falls State Park.

Take only photographs, leave only footprints.