I knew the trails at the Hill-Stead would be beautiful because everything at this museum is so freaking charming. Imagine you are visiting a country house–really a stately manner–and you decide to go for a long walk around the grounds. That’s what hiking the Hill-Stead trails feels like.
Putting it simply: if you like Downton Abbey, this is the hike for you.
Penwood State Park in Bloomfield is where you end up if you’re looking for the Heublein Tower Trail but accidentally pull into the parking lot across the street. I imagine this happens to a lot of people — you’re driving, you’re not quite sure where the entrance to the trail is, you spot a parking lot with people in assorted hiking clothes milling around, so you just naturally assume you’re in the right place. This is what my friend Ellen and I did.