Text by Susannah Wood
Photo by Savage Frieze

Over the years, winter in the Icebox of Connecticut has been a glorious season for those of us who love skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Although climate change has made winter sport a chancier thing, there are still days when conditions are just right for an afternoon of gliding along a forest trail or carving a crisp line across the ice. These days, the coronavirus has us all looking for ways to be outside and get some exercise, and especially if you are new to town, you may not be aware of all the activities that lie just beyond the doorstep. Thanks to our three state parks and other state lands, the Norfolk Land Trust (NLT) and Great Mountain Forest (GMF), there are boundless options for skiers, hikers and snowshoers. Public skating in recent years has been limited to state-owned Wood Creek Pond, but thanks to the efforts of the Norfolk Fire Department, skaters can now zip across the town rink next to the ball field on Mountain Road. 

While virtually all our public trails are good for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing is definitely easier on some trails than others. Below is a partial list of trails well suited to skiers of different levels. Don’t forget that if you find yourself on a trail more challenging than you want, you can always take off your skis and walk past the tricky bits with honor intact. Dogs must be leashed in GMF, so don’t bring them skiing. Many of the trails closer to town, especially in Barbour Woods and Haystack State Park, get heavy use by hikers and dog walkers, so get out early for fresh snow and the best conditions. 

To ensure a safe, enjoyable day outdoors, go with a buddy, especially if you aren’t familiar with a trail, or at least let someone know your plans. Take a map and be prepared for emergencies. People have gotten lost from time to time. To check whether pond ice is safe for skating, look for ice fishermen. They usually make a number of holes and can reliably gauge the thickness of the ice. If you plan to skate on ponds, consider buying a set of ice picks for everyone in the family. They hang around your neck, ready to hand if you fall in.

Places to Skate

Wood Creek Pond: Great for skiing as well as skating; a wide lake about a mile long. When the ice is thick, there are often pick-up hockey games in the lagoon. Trailhead is located on Ashpohtag Road east of Route 272. Be aware that the lagoon may freeze before the rest of the lake.

Winchester Lake: A much bigger and deeper lake, so, again, don’t venture out without knowing the ice depth. Drive south from Norfolk on Route 272; take Winchester Road (which turns into West Road) to the parking area at the lake.

Hiking and Skiing Trails

Norfolk Land Trust

Easier trails:

North Swamp Trail: Park behind Botelle School. Trail is gently rolling with a shorter (1.4 miles) and a longer (1.8 miles) loop. The short loop has a swamp crossing that can be wet.

Billings Trail: For the Mad River section, park along Grantville Road. Out and back trail along the railroad right-of-way (3 miles). For the Stoney Lonesome section, park along Ashpohtag Road east of Route 44. Out and back trail on the railroad right-of-way (3 miles).

More challenging:

Barbour Woods: The trails provide several loop options but include some steeper terrain, as well as rockier sections that need good snow cover to be safe for skiing. Park at the trailhead off Lovers Lane or walk in at the Shepard Road entry. 

Dennis Hill State Park: The NLT maintains the gazebo loop trail here. Some hills (1.5 miles).

Haystack State Park: Trail maintained by the NLT. Significant up and down along with rocky sections. Climbing up from the parking area on North Street/272 and skiing down the road, if there is enough cover, makes a fun loop (1.5 miles).

Great Mountain Forest

Easiest:

Jean’s Trail: This blue marked trail takes off from Forest Road near the West Gate and loops back to Chattleton Road for a return to the West Gate (3.5 miles).

More challenging:

Camp Road and Chattleton Road: These two connected roads traverse GMF from the East Gate to the West Gate (about 4.75 miles). Parking is available at either trailhead. (At the West Gate visitors should park in the office parking area and walk to the trailhead.) There are a number of hills to negotiate. Out and back from East Gate to Old Man McMullen Pond takes about an hour (4.5 miles).

Challenging:

Crissey Crossover Trail: Long climb over rocky terrain starting out from the East Gate. Inexperienced skiers should avoid coming down this trail, and even experienced skiers should wait for a significant fresh snow fall before attempting it. Trail joins up with the Camp Road. Turn right to return to the East Gate (2.75 miles).

A longer loop can be made by continuing past the Crossover Trail cutoff to the intersection with the Number 4 Trail near Old Man McMullen Pond. Turn right at the junction and then right again at the second intersection to return to the East Gate.

Further Afield:

There are a number of land trusts in surrounding towns with trails open to the public. The Connecticut Land Conservation Council website lists land trusts by town and county, as does the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition. For New York, go to the Land Trust Alliance website. 

It’s very helpful to have a trail-making app on your cell phone, such as Trakkit.

Paper maps, compasses and the skills to use them never go out of date and won’t run out of power.