Guilford is home to many varied trail systems for pedestrian use and non-motorized bikers, and some trails are designated for equestrian use. The Town of Guilford Conservation Commission manages trails in the James Valley Preserve, the Timberlands, and the Braemore Preserve. The Town of Guilford is currently finalizing plans for trails within the newly acquired East River Preserve. The Guilford Land Conservation Trust maintains the extensive trail system in Westwoods as well as Eastwoods, Bluff Head, the Jared Eliot Preserve, East River Woodlands, the Kampmeyer Preserve, and elsewhere. In addition, because of all of the protected open space and existing trails, Guilford has been chosen as the southern terminus of the New England Trail, a federally designated national scenic hiking trail, traveling from Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire to the Long Island Sound. Guilford is also one of the four shoreline towns that the Shoreline Greenway Trail will traverse with a unique 25-mile continuous trail for recreational bicycling and walking from Hammonasset State Park through Madison, Guilford, Branford and East Haven to Lighthouse Point, New Haven.  

Bluff Head Area: Guilford’s most dramatic geological site, sitting 600 feet above sea level, offers views of Long Island Sound to the south and, on a clear day, Hartford to the north. The property connects to the larger Northwoods trail system and offers a wide diversity of places to explore, including, the Broomstick Ledges and Meyerhuber Pond. The Mattabesett Trail, part of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association’s Blue-Blazed Trail system, passes through the property. Park at the lot on Rt. 77, north of Great Hill Rd. This property is owned and managed by the Guilford Land Conservation Trust. For more information, including maps, visit: www.guilfordlandtrust.org.

Shoreline Greenway Trail: An all-volunteer organization is building several approved sections now and seeking to finalize the route. 

Visit www.shorelinegreenwaytrail.org for information.

Timberlands: Six hundred acres of forest stretching from the Guilford Lakes area, north to Route 80. The property includes 15 miles of marked trails and the beautiful Iron Stream. Parking is available at the North Guilford Archery Range on Rt. 80, and off of Twin Bridge Rd., Maupas Rd., and North Madison Rd. This property is owned and managed by the Town of Guilford. For more information, including maps, visit: http://www.ci.guilford.ct.us/board-commissions/conservation-commission.htm

Westwoods: Forty miles of trails in southwestern Guilford containing a wide diversity of fascinating natural formations such as cave structures, waterfalls, salt and freshwater marshes, an inland tidal lake, and naturally carved rock formations. Westwoods is made up of land owned by the Guilford Land Conservation Trust, who maintains the trails, and the State of Connecticut. There are many entrances to Westwoods between Rt. 146 and Rt.1. For more information, including maps, visit: www.guilfordlandtrust.org.