What's Your Favorite Hiking Trail In Or Near Madison?

We're compiling a list of favorite hiking trails in and near Madison.

What's your favorite?

We asked on Facebook and Twitter and Liz Neighbors told us this:

I have so many favorites...woods and beach. For today, I'll say this is my fave. Hammonasset out at Meigs Point. Facing the sound and big rocks, while standing in the parking lot, this beach trail is all the way to the left.

On Twitter, Tabi Klausen-Leandri ‏@Tabifit said "Guilford bluffs!"

The Guilford Land Conservation Trust says:

The Bluff Head Preserve is perhaps the Guilford Land Conservation Trust’s crown jewel. Not only is it one of the most beautiful places in Guilford – so voted in a recent townwide survey of natural resources – but it is also geologically one of the most significant places in south central Connecticut. The land trust began buying land at Bluff Head in the 1960s. Today, it owns more than 500 acres there, including most of the area around the sheer, 500-foot traprock cliff as well as the adjoining areas of Totoket Mountain. Bluff Head and its adjacent areas, rising to more than 720 feet above sea level, are the highest points in Guilford, The Bluff Head overlook offers unparalleled views to the east, north (to Hartford) and south (to Long Island). The view includes the Broomstick Ledges and other properties on the east side of Route 77 protected by the land trust.

I told Tabi it was a great suggestion and that I would be checking that out.

"I hope you get to check it out soon!" she said. "It's a great workout and should be amazing with all the colors now!"

Here are some of my suggestions:

Hammo is on my list as well. Here are my suggestions.

• The Madison Land Conservation Trust has a number of trails in Madison that are perfect for viewing fall foliage. The list is here: http://www.madisonlandtrust.org/properties-trails
• Also in Madison, there is Rockland Preserve: http://www.madisonct.org/rockland/
• The Guilford Land Conservation Trust also has a number of trails that would be great. More information here: http://guilfordlandtrust.org/wordpress/properties
• Also in Guilford, there is Timberlands, Braemore, and James Valley:
  Timberlands Braemore James Valley
• And Hammonasset Beach State Park is also spectacular this time of year: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325210&depNav_GID=1650

For apres hike, I like to hit Savvy Tea (which will be moving soon to the Boston Post Road), or Flavor For Madison.

Other great spots are Starbucks, the Madison Coffee Shop, RJ Cafe, Willoughby's, Nick's Place, High Tide, or Robert's, which serves coffee and goodies just to the right as you walk in. There are also several great places in nearby Durham, if you're up in North Madison, including Perk On Main.

Let us know about your favorite places to hike, and to warm up apres hike in the comment section below!

Weather forecasters are calling for Indian Summer-like weather starting Tuesday through Thursday, so this could be a good time to get out there and enjoy your favorite trail, or try a new one! Check the forecast before you go out to make sure it has not changed.