The Alain and May White Trails

The labyrinthine network that makes up the Alain and May White Trails offers a light and idyllic walk, with plenty of options to extend or shorten the overall length of your hike.

Located in Sunnybrook State Park in Torrington, the Alain and May White Trails consist of a number of major and minor trails that carry you through intimate and gorgeous surroundings.

The park’s two major trails are the blue-blazed Testone Boulder Loop and the yellow-blazed Fadoir Spring Trail. These are the lengthiest trails in Sunnybrook Park, clocking in at approximately 2 miles and 1 mile respectively.

The park hosts three minor trails as well, including the Madden Wetlands, Fyler Pond, and Beaver Pond trails — all of which are near or under the half-mile mark.

This arrangement allows hikers to add significant mileage to their hike, or to cut back the overall length and time to just explore a few of the park’s minor trails. Regardless of which trails you decide to take, you will be treated to a very satisfying hike.

The Testone Boulder Trail encircles the park’s smaller paths, and provides multiple access points to those lesser trails throughout the 2-mile loop. From the Sunnybrook parking lot you will begin the walk on the blue-blazed paved road trail, and be led over a bridge crossing the Naugatuck River. The trail is not merely a means to access to the park’s other trails but will lead you through floodplains, conifer and mixed hardwood forests to the Testone Boulder itself.

Sunnybrook’s second major trail, the Fadoir Spring Trail, carries you beside the Naugatuck River through wetlands, over small footbridges crossing seasonal brooks, and to a number of small ponds dotted throughout the sodden forest.  This path offers the aforementioned sights as well as Fadoir Spring and a minor cascade near the trail’s end.

It is difficult to describe the scenic element of the park without falling into understatement. The enormous variety of forest, wetland, floodplain and riverside fields will leave you wanting to explore every inch of the park.

There is also a need to mention the park’s wildlife, which can be staggering in its constant presence and movement. Birds dart in low-flying patterns from wood to brush, while the ponds and wetlands literally teem with life.

There are few downsides to Sunnybrook’s trails as they offer so much delight with very little physical demand. One must pay careful attention to the trail markings, however, especially on the road segments where markings on the ground can easily go unseen. The maze of major and minor trails almost demands a map be brought along, as the complexity of trail crossings and intersections could become slightly baffling to those unfamiliar with the park.

The Connecticut Forest and Park Association has a very informative Web site that includes trail safety tips and an important list of essentials for first-time hikers, as well as Connecticut Walk Books available for purchase. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association can be found at ctwoodlands.org and can be reached by phone at 860-346-2372.