Northwest Hills Planning Region, a region in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, is characterized by its diverse and picturesque landscapes. It features rolling hills, dense forests, and significant peaks, providing a dynamic environment for outdoor activities. This varied terrain makes it suitable for several sports like hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more. The region's natural features, including sections of the Appalachian Trail and various state parks, offer extensive opportunities for exploration.
142
Routes
4.8
(56)
Average rating
1419
People visited

5.0
(1)
37
hikers
3.86km
01:20
210m
200m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
38
hikers
2.89km
00:44
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
27
hikers
8.09km
02:17
180m
120m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
26
hikers
11.1km
04:06
450m
460m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(3)
15
riders
5.79km
00:30
50m
50m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
20
riders
27.3km
02:32
400m
400m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
19.6km
01:41
180m
180m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
6.09km
00:31
50m
50m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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58.0km
02:50
660m
660m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.5
(2)
68
riders
49.3km
02:37
340m
340m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

60
riders
19.9km
00:53
200m
200m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

2.0
(1)
35
riders
29.9km
01:36
180m
180m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(2)
45
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(7)
46
riders
39.9km
02:25
130m
130m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

38
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
12
riders
23.6km
01:30
200m
200m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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36
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

35
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
8.95km
00:57
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
runners
22.1km
02:19
170m
180m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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13
riders
50.8km
03:19
790m
790m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
74.1km
05:19
1,250m
1,250m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
98.5km
05:31
1,110m
1,110m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Northwest Hills Planning Region offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. The region features over 500 routes across these sports. These activities take place amidst rolling hills, dense forests, and significant peaks.
The Northwest Hills Planning Region provides more than 540 miles of public walking trails, including 163 miles of Connecticut's Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails. Specific guides are available for exploring these paths. For more information, consult the Hiking in Northwest Hills Planning Region guide.
Yes, the region offers trails suitable for all ability levels, including easy walks. An interactive regional trail map helps visitors find trails based on difficulty. For specific easy routes, refer to the Easy hikes in Northwest Hills Planning Region guide.
The region features diverse natural landscapes, including Bear Mountain (2,320 feet), Mount Washington State Forest, and the Barkhamsted Reservoir. Sections of the Appalachian Trail also traverse the area for 47 miles. Other notable sites include Housatonic Meadows State Park, Macedonia Brook State Park, and glacial erratics at Towner Hill Preserve.
The varied terrain with rolling hills and scenic roads provides opportunities for road cycling. Routes around Lake Waramaug State Park offer diverse cycling experiences. Information on specific routes can be found in the Road Cycling Routes in Northwest Hills Planning Region guide.
The region's interactive trail map allows filtering for mountain biking routes, indicating available trails. These routes may include unpaved segments and significant elevation gains. For detailed information, refer to the MTB Trails in Northwest Hills Planning Region guide.
Yes, the Northwest Hills Planning Region includes trails that feature waterfalls. These routes offer scenic views and opportunities to explore water features. A dedicated guide, Waterfall hikes in Northwest Hills Planning Region, provides specific information on these trails.
More than 7,000 visitors have shared their experiences in the Northwest Hills Planning Region on komoot. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.69 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users exploring the area.
The provided information does not specify a general permit requirement for hiking in the Northwest Hills Planning Region. However, it is advisable to check with specific state parks or land management agencies for any particular regulations or fees that may apply to certain areas or activities.
The Northwest Hills Planning Region is served by the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG). Their official website is nhcogct.gov, which provides additional regional information and resources.
The phone number for the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG), which serves the Northwest Hills Planning Region, is 860-491-9884. This contact can be used for general inquiries about the region.
The region is popular for road cycling, mountain biking, and touring cycling. Its varied terrain, including rolling hills and scenic roads, supports diverse cycling experiences. Guides are available for each of these cycling disciplines.
Yes, the Northwest Hills Planning Region offers challenging hikes, including mountain ascents. Bear Mountain, with an elevation of 2,320 feet, provides challenging climbs. Sections of the Appalachian Trail also offer more strenuous hiking opportunities.

