Newtown Hikers is an open group that welcomes anyone interested in hiking. There is no membership fee.

Hikers participate at their own risk and are asked by the Newtown Parks & Recreation Department to sign a release.

Winter hikers should meet in the lower parking lot of the Edmond Town Hall promptly at 10 am for each Saturday’s hike. The group tries to carpool as much as possible. Check with the listed hike leader for hike details or changes.

Winter hikes are shorter and easier than their fall and spring counterparts.

Call hiker leaders for information about the hike, to meet at the hike location, or check on the weather. Hikes vary from easy to challenging. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are recommended for all hikes. Also, for safety in the woods, a traction device for boots in the winter is recommended such as microspikes, stabilizers, crampons.

Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

Dogs are often welcome (some trails do not allow dogs), but must be on leash at all times.

Each hike has a leader, who can provide more information about each hike, will arrange to meet hikers at locations other than the town hall, and will answer information when weather is doubtful.

The hike leader for January 11 is Tim Hanbury, who can be reached at 203-888-3025. This weekend’s hike will be at Four Lakes in Oxford.

Upcoming hikes and related information include the following:

January  18, Fairfield Hills Trails, Newtown (hiker leader is Sally Cox, 203-426-9903 or 203-830-9032);

January 25, Williams Park, Brookfield (Susan Gabrielle, 860-474-5442 or 203-733-8546);

February 1, Devil’s Den Trail, Weston (Linda Dunn, 203-207-1765);

February 8, Bennett’s Pond Farm Trail, Ridgefield (Marc Jones,  203-894-9534);

February 15, Larkin State Park Trail, Oxford, note: parking at this location is very limited, so hikers will need to carpool (Sally Cox, 203-426-9903 or 203-830-9032);

February 22, Lillinonah Woods, Brookfield (Cassie Brown, 203-313-7161);

March 1, Phillips-Lovdal Farm Preserve, Southbury (Kandace Yuen, 203-262-8328);

March 8, Flanders Nature Center, Woodbury (Nancy Ziegler, 203-732-2618);

March 15, Pequonnock River Valley Trail, Trumbull (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025);

March 22, Lower Paugaussett State Forest, Newtown (Jim Steck, 845-621-5559 or 914-806-4107); and

March 29, Twin Brooks Park, Trumbull, this hike will be followed by a potluck lunch and spring hike schedule planning, hikers are asked to call for food coordination (Irene Jutnas, 203-556-2933).