USE CAUTION! This trail resides along a steep cliff side (not the main trail area) and may not be for suitable for a beginner hiker. Dogs are welcome on leash. Oaths are uneven with roots poking through. Watch your step One of my favorite local parks where every season is beautiful! Well maintained and marked trails, fishing areas a free little book library and a path to the rock quarry if lucky to find! If you travel to the far end of the reservoir (main entry area next to trail map) you come to a nice opening along the reservoir. Venture a bit further along the pond to the furthest end of the water; Left brings you further into the woods and over the bridge brings you full loop around the reservoir read more

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This is great place due to the levels-- from extreme bikes to charming nature walks, this park has a path for just about everyone! There's also a big open green area nice for picnicking or just connecting with nature. Highly recommend! read more

Giuffrida Park - Snowy view of the pond - Hiking Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

This was a very rocky and narrow trail - not flat at any point! A bit steep in some areas and you have to be very careful where you step as to not trip or slip. It is a 1 hour hike around the whole reservoir so not too long. They do have longer trails too, but it was an evening hike so the short one worked well for us. I would not recommend with kids or pets. Beautiful views even though the trail was bumpy! read more

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Beautiful park to take a nice hike in. Tall pine trees in a beautiful forest. Every season at this park has awesome views. My favorite season to take a hike here is in the fall! Tons of different trails here too. Dogs welcome on leash ! read more

COVID-19 era review: bring your boots if you feel like hiking up Chauncey Peak or Lamentation Mountain because this is trap rock country, also known as the Hanging Hills. Giuffrida includes the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail and awesome views of the surrounding Hanging Hills. It's a park for walkers and hikers alike, and has the option to fish as well. The view for each are so rewarding. The park is free, and if you've been here before, make sure you don't turn in by the quarry, as the park has somewhat recently become a one-way, so make sure you see the Giuffrida Park sign as you enter. We've seen deer, snakes, smaller mammals, and a host of birds in our trips here. Close as this is to the surrounding highways, the amount of wildlife to see is impressive. Not everyone comes to this park with a mask, so remember yours, and enjoy. read more

Giuffrida Park - Crescent Lake - Hiking Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

This park is beautiful for a hike, especially in the fall! It's not too complicated with a loop around the reservoir, although there is a pretty big hill/mountain that you have to walk up. It's absolutely worth it for the views! If you're looking for one of the best places to see fall foliage in New England, this is the place to go. read more

Giuffrida Park - View from our hike - Hiking Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

I just found this gem and boy am I glad I did. There are so many great hiking spots in Connecticut but I'm picky with my spots. I have to have some sort of water, preferably a waterfall or a gorgeous view from a high distance up. I like it to be fairly easy to hike, with a few ascents and descents. Most hikes I go on check off one or two of these items, Giuffrida park checks off all my must haves. A truly great spot to hike. This will be a regular place for me and the pup to go from now on! read more

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I came here on an early fall morning around 7am, specifically to hike to the top and gather in the views I had seen pictures of. the fall colors had just peaked a week earlier. There was only one other car in the lot when I showed up. Being my first time here, the map on the board was hard to follow and not totally accurate. The cliff is on the east side of the water and can be accessed in 2 ways. One is to go down the west side of the water and then start up, which is what I did since I could not find the entrance to the trail from the east side according to the map. There was a water feature that blocked my path on the east form the parking lot. The hike was nice and the views totally worth it. not too far. I did the full loop in just over an hour. TIP: I discovered when I came down that the entrance to east side start was more toward the main road and not as close to the parking lot as the map had indicated. read more

This place is gorgeous during the fall can't wait to go back! During snow time the slope is fun for sledding with the kids.

Giuffrida Park is our new favorite hiking spot. Hiking up to Chauncey Peak is both challenging and quick. After reaching the peak we then choose whether to go back down or continue on and extend the hike. We usually choose Giuffrida when we are short on time. It's an invigorating hike to the top, so we can get there after work, bring up our heart rates, break a great sweat, and get home before dark. At the parking lot, right next to the map, is a "leave what you can, take what you need" hutch. People leave some very thoughtful things including bags for cleaning up after your dogs and bug/sun spray. If you forget something, you just may be able to find it in the hutch, and if you have something to share, it will go to good use. I do see a lot of people fishing, dog walking, and picnicking here as well, it's a nice quiet and very wooded area so it's great for those activities. All in all a great park for the outdoor enthusiast! read more

Giuffrida Park is an escape to nature that rewards a modest effort with scenic overlooks of traprock cliffs, a reservoir and a waterfall. The trails are not the best marked, but the roughly 2 mile loop around the reservoir (blue blazes) is more of a rugged hiking adventure for that fact. The traprock rising high above the valley is a marvel. Would definitely recommend in spring / summer and especially autumn, for the leafpeepers paradise. read more

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Great place for a hike, walk or run. Great views as tou go around the reservoir. Some steep routes and some flat. Also a field to play ball and we always see people fishing read more

This is, hands down, my favorite place to go on a nice day. The hiking trails are beautiful, and I find something new every time I'm here. There are incredible streams, some very nice views and just cool places to explore all over the place, and it's pretty much right in my backyard, since it's right in Meriden. I saw a lot of reviews for Sleeping Giant in Hamden, so it was hard to believe there weren't any here for Giuffrida. I like hiking in different places, but at the end of the day, Giuffrida is so close to home that it feels like home. This small park is a gem. read more

Giuffrida Park - View from the top. - Hiking Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

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Beautiful, peaceful park with a large lake in the middle and some great hiking trails! My boyfriend and I came here over the summer to hike the Mattabesett Trail and had a great afternoon. Thanks to Thien's helpful review, we knew to find the trailhead at the far side of the base of the dam and follow the blue blazes up. The part of the trail going up Chauncey Peak was pretty steep and challenging, involving a lot of climbing up rocky faces. I had to stop to catch my breath a few times. But it was worth it for the view. We followed the blue blazes further on over to Lamentation Mountain, where we turned around halfway across in order to get back to our car (unfortunately, it doesn't make a loop). On the way back, we got a little lost and ended up on the white-blazed Crescent Lake Loop, which ended up being the perfect mild ending to our challenging afternoon hike. In the future, if I was coming with non-hikers, I'd love to take them on this loop and bring a picnic, as there were a few benches and picnic tables near the park entrance. For a beautiful summer day, this place was relatively empty, especially compared to nearby trails. Definitely worth a visit. read more

If you hike you need to go! Mattabesett Trail, Chauncey Peak, Crescent Lake and the Metacomet Ridge! I recommend you investigate who the park is named after too. It's busy at times, but that's because it's worth it! Trust me, even with a parking lot full of cars on a beautiful Sunday you'll find quiet stretches and secluded peaks! Absolutely beautiful! Thank you Meriden for your preservation of nature and honoring a great person! You've earned 5 stars along with the park today! read more

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I love this park so much it's so beautiful and has walking and hiking for all fitness levels!

This park is such a hidden gem in Meriden. I love being able to catch an early socially distanced workout right down the street from my house. Parking lot usually has 2-5 cars at 7am but by the time I leave there are 10+ at 9am. There are a few trails to choose from. I have done a variety of them and most include a decent incline, but for those who don't want to trek up can take the trail along the reservoir. Keep your eye out for construction if you take the Chauncey Peak trail. Unfortunately Tilcon is digging into the side and the trail butts up against their site for a short period of time. No worries though because the views are worth it and there are plenty of them. I certainly will continue to go here! read more

Giuffrida Park - Chauncey peak! - Hiking Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

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I LOVE this park. This is truly a hidden gem in Connecticut. Idk why people don't come here. This place is SO good for fishing. I also LOVE the trail that goes around the lake. Although at the end there's a LOT of mud, I'm not sure if it's there only during the rainy season. Still I love this park and highly recommend coming here! read more

There are more remote parks in the world. There are peaks with more dramatic vistas. There are more challenging trails. Giuffrida Park somehow manages to convey a sense of wilderness, offer views of startling beauty, and get the heart pumping, in a deceptively small space. The loop over Chauncey Peak and around the reservoir had a section which called for every bit of oxygen I could gasp in. Further along, my brother and I looked out over the view south to Sleeping Giant, and then gazed north toward Avon Mountain. It's a great place to appreciate Connecticut's glacier-carved north-south ridges. Meriden has some of the state's loveliest parks, and I so appreciate the efforts they've made to provide these beautiful spots for us all. read more

This is definitely one of the best hikes in CT. There's plenty of parking at the base of the lake, though I didn't see any facilities (might be seasonal?). The blue-blazed trail takes you steeply up to the peak, around a few craggy cliffs, then down the mountain to wrap around the lake. You have to be prepared to climb in a small section, but the views are absolutely worth it. It's a great day hike if you are reasonably fit. If you are looking for a more relaxed walk, you can just do the flat loop trail around the lake. The lake trail can get pretty muddy, so make sure you try and avoid it after rainy days. read more

A great park with various hiking trails suited for people of all ages and skill levels. The park has a couple beautiful outlooks that can be reached by following the Metacomet (Blue-Blazed) trail that runs through the park. One outlook, Chauncey Peak, grants a view eastward toward Higby Mountain. Mount Lamentation can be reached following the Blue-Blazed trail from the parking lot, the trail begins at the metal gate. Mount Lamentation is about 800' tall and offers a view of Silver Lake and the Hanging Hills in the west. Looking north you can see the state capitol, Hartford. The park is clean, well-maintained, and frequented by locals. Great for picnics, sunbathing, hiking, nature walks, and just general exploration. In the winter the terrain is great for snow-shoeing. A map of the park and it's various hiking trails can be found on the Meriden Land Trust's website at: http://www.meridenlandtrust.com/ read more

I absolutely love this park. Could you have a picnic here, or toss a Frisbee around? Sure. But what this park is really great for is the hiking. Between Chauncey Peak, Lamentation Mtn, and the reservoir you will find some of the most beautiful views around in a relatively small area. With an abundance of trails, criss-crossing at multiple points, you have a ton of options in terms of customizing the distance and difficulty level you're looking for on any particular day. I especially enjoy the fact that the trails intersect in so many different areas; personally I'm more of a loop girl than an out -and-backer. One of my favorite loops, if you're looking for a longer, intermediate level hike, would be to take a right out of the parking lot and follow blue trail up to Chauncey Peak (short but steep), continue on until you cross the little wooden bridge, take a right, and look out for red trail on your left. From here you can take that all the way to the top of Lamentation Mtn, take a right and walk along the ridge for some lovely views, and then take a right onto yellow to head back down and walk alongside the reservoir. Red is a bit steeper than yellow, so an alternative option would be to take red up until it intersects with yellow where you would then hang a right, follow that all the way to the top, take a left to walk along the ridge, and then stay on blue all the way down which takes you through the field (very pretty when the wild flowers are in bloom). This is a great way to really see some of the most breathtaking views all in one visit read more

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I used to bike here almost every day in the summer when I lived in Meriden. In addition to a lovely walking trail by the pond, there is a great field running parallel to the pond which is great for morning birdwatchers. For those feeling more adventurous, it's about a 2 hour hike around the basin. The trail is steep, but well worth the view once you get to the top. There is also a little rocky outcropping that makes a chair. As long as you're not afraid of heights, it's fun to dangle your feet. Bring proper hiking shoes with ankle support; the terrain going up to Chauncey Peak is very rocky, as is the descent from the peak. Also, I've seen a fair about of snakes on the trail, including copperheads. There are a lot of warm flat rocks perfect for snakes to curl up under, so be careful where you step. Finally, for the dog lovers, please remember that Guiffrida is a back-up reservoir, so no dogs in the water. If your dog wants to swim, head over to Black's pond. It's a much better fishing spot too. read more

I will always fondly remember Giuffrida Park as one of my firsts... the first time I've ever actually gotten lost on a hike. The location on this page will take you to a parking area at the sourthern end of the park. It started out easy along the water and I decided to follow the blue trail since I was looking for a longer trek. After about two hours I came to a road. Just a road with some houses and no trail blazed on the other side. When I consulted my GPS I realized that I had actually followed the blue trail right out of the park at the northeast corner. I eventually found the right sequence of paths to get me back after another 2.5 hours. It was exhausting, frustrating, and a little bit scary. But what a hike it was! I spotted some wildlife and flowers, climbed over trees and down boulders. The eastern side of the reservoir is steep with incredible views- lots to keep you busy if you bring a camera. Just follow your path carefully! Un-blazed trails intersect and the blue trail doesn't seem to loop unless you stick to hiking only along the water. read more

Giuffrida Park - Hiking Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

Chauncey Peak is on a relatively quick loop (1.5 hours total, at most), and the vistas are worth the challenging ascent. Best for people with some hiking experience. read more

Giuffrida Park - A view from the top - Hiking Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

Went hiking up the Chauncey Peak loop yesterday. It was a perfect day for a hike. You could see for miles. The loop took about an hour and a half. It was quite a scramble to the top so I do not recommend for beginners. However there are a ton of lookout spots at the top so definitely worth the climb. read more

Giuffrida Park - View of the lake at the bottom - Hiking Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

Guiffrida Park is great for picnicking and taking the dog for a walk. But, the real highlights are the beautiful views from Chauncey Peak and Crescent Lake. Begin on the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail as it heads beneath the base of the dam forming Crescent Lake. Follow the scramble up as the trail goes up to Chauncey Peak ridge. From here remain on the blue-blazed trail as it passes numerous dramatic vistas of Crescent Lake, which lies far below. There are occasional shots of the mountain's enormous quarry too. Before the ridge's halfway point, arrive at the day's most spectacular perch at the summit of Chauncey Peak (800 ft high) Eventually a rocky descent leads to a seasonal stream and narrow gorge. Cross the bridge to a junction. To the left, an unmarked path heads to Crescent Lake. This is a shortcut back to the trail-head and parking lot. To continue the loop, turn right and continue along the blue. Follow the yellow-blazed trail at the intersection if you want to ascend Mount Lamentation's 720-ft high point. Overall a quick but nice hike! Take your friends and enjoy the views! read more

As for this park and CT area hikes, I have seen worse and I have seen better. For those in the New Haven county/southern Hartford county area locals that do not have 2 hours to devote to driving on any given day and are looking for a decent hike, this park offers a lot in exchange for the short drive. There are a reservoir, some rocky slopes and views of Higbee, Craig's Castle and possible all the way to the shoreline on a clear day. If you approach the blue trail from the front of the park, you will experience a decent exhilarating climb and almost instant views. After that however, the trail is predominantly a descent overlooking at times a rock quarry and the reservoir. I will be sure to go back to explore more on my lunch breaks with the weather warming up. read more

I love this park so much. It really accommodates everybody. You can climb/hike the steep mountain, You can walk the trails or you can walk the flat ground next to the water. Sometimes I bring my dogs and sometimes I go with my husband or friends. I'm happy this park is near my house, its one of my favorites to go to. read more

Awesome trail, be ready to trek too for a few parts of the trail!!!! There are amazing views all along the trail. Getting up to the hill top was a little difficult (for beginners) but it is definitely worth the climb.The views are picturesque. I would definitely recommend this park. Cant wait to go there again!!!!! read more

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The climb is a bit steep and the terrain was rough at points, but the trails are well marked and the views are breathtaking. Even though it's a steep climb, I saw many dogs that made it without too much trouble. I definitely will be coming back for more hikes here! Just be sure to consult the map. I did get lost at one point, but it wasn't too hard to find my way back read more

Giuffrida Park - The view is well worth the climb - Hiking Near Me - Meriden, Connecticut

Looking for a short but strenuous hike with amazing views as the reward? Then you've found it with the Chauncey Peak Trail. This is a 2.1 mile trail with about 300 feet of elevation changes, but it's a very steep ascent/descent to get to/from the peak. I highly recommend you head towards the dam and start this trail slightly to the right of the dam and do the steep ascent first, as I bet it could get pretty tricky to try and descend down that rocky face. My wife isn't much of a hardcore hiker, but we did this hike my 2 year old toddler in my hiking backpack on Father's Day. I was sweating like a madman when we made it to the very vertical peak, which at times got pretty tricky with 30+ pounds on my back, but we made it to the summit safely and the view was absolutely gorgeous. The blue blazed trail is well marked, just watch your footing on the way down as there are lots of loose rocks to navigate. Definitely not an easy trail by any means, but if you're looking for a moderate challenge in a beautiful state park, this is your hike! read more

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What a great hiking area. The trails are fairly easy with some steep inclines. The view from above the reservoir is pretty nice. This is a nice change of pace from Hubbard Park and Sleeping Giant. read more

One of my new favorite parks in CT. This park has all types of trails for all skill levels of hikers. My husband and I love to hike to the top of the outlook with our dog. The park itself is very well maintained. Only gripe about this park is that some people will have their dogs off-leash when they aren't supposed to - so just be on the lookout for that. read more

One of my favorite hiking trails and views! The short way up is quick but very steep and probably not the easiest to come down from.

I love this park. I have been here with my dog along the low path and have hiked the mountain with my family. The view is breathtaking. Great for a family day (older children) have a picnic once you reach the top! read more

Went to the right the dam to follow the blue trail up to Chauncey Peak. Our 9 lb Havanese came along too & did great during the more challenging ascent. Took us about 2 hrs round trip w/ plenty of scenic stops along the way. Can't wait to come back. read more

This is an amazing park to enjoy with the whole family. Plenty of hiking trails with beautiful views. If you come with little kids, the flat walking trail along the lake also has great views, and it is safer for the little ones(some parts of the blue-blazed trail does get steep). The only problem, as previously stated in one or two comments about this park, is that some people let their dogs off-leash. Most of those dogs are friendly, but I have come across a couple that were not so friendly. There are many huge signs telling people to keep their dogs on the leash, but it is not being enforced. So enjoy the beauty of this park, just watch out for the off-leash dogs. read more

Beautiful nice hike. Very steep in places. Very peaceful walk. We loved this place.