"In the woods is perpetual youth" - Emerson
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Hidden
Valley located in New
Fairfield, CT is a small place and
not generally know about. A
good place for toddlers because of
its size and clearly marked signs
and viewing stations. Though
right in the heart of town and
surrounded on three sides by
crowded neighborhoods, the park is
a neat little place to explore and
experience hidden treasures. It's
most appropriate for families or
those with physical limitations
(The avid hiker could do the
entire trail system in about 15
minutes). It's a nice place to
pull off the side of the road and
relax at the pound or just get out
for a quick walk. The main
attraction here would be the large
pond/bog area where a platform has
been built to allow for easy
viewing of this unique ecosystem.
The pond is teeming with
life; insects, birds, and fish
inhabit the pond and if you have
patience to just sit back and
enjoy, the sights and sounds are
certainly unique. The trail
system is clearly marked and
educational as the local Boy
Scouts and and nearby school have
made this place a outdoor
laboratory for school children and
the general public. As you
walk through the forest you'll
learn about the environment around
you. Because of its convenience,
Hidden Valley is accessible to
those who normally wouldn't be
able to enjoy nature because of
certain limitations in their
mobility.
If you're a serious hiker, there
really isn't a lot to Hidden
Valley as it's very small in terms
of space and the scenery is nice
but not spectacular. But if
you happen to be in the area or
just like to check out all types
of places, it's worth a visit.
You can pull into the dirt
lot and within a minute be at the
pond or making your way out onto
the small trail system.
During the fall foliage
season Hidden Valley is a perfect
photo-op for camera enthusiasts.
From a physical standpoint,
this hike is by far the easiest
one to tackle listed on this web
site!
Directions: Take
Interstate 84 into Danbury, CT.
and take exit 6. At the end of the
ramp follow the signs that will
direct you to Rt. 37 north and
take 37 as it heads out of Danbury
towards New Fairfield. Take
Rt. 37 all the way to New
Fairfield center. When you
reach the center you'll have small
shopping centers on either side.
Rt. 37 and Rt. 39 intersect
here. Take a left onto Rt.
39. You'll go up a small hill and
Rt. 39 begins to bear left slowly.
Soon you will come to a stop sign
with an intersection that can be a
bit confusing if you're not from
the area. Go straight at
this stop sign intersection so
that the Catholic church goes by
on your left-hand side. A
few yards past the church on your
right is Gilotti Rd. Take a right
onto Gilotti. Three-tenths of a
mile (0.3) up Gilotti Rd. is
Meeting House Hill Elementary
School. Go past the school
and a few hundred feet on your
right is the entrance to Hidden
Valley. Pull into the dirt parking
area and you'll immediately see
the information center.
Printable
version of the Hidden
Valley page
If you have any trail updates to
share or have feedback/questions
please click
here to send email or call
203.788.7665
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Berkshire Hiking LLC |
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