Newtown Hikers is an open group welcoming anyone interested in hiking and the outdoors. There is no membership fee.

Hikes are Saturday mornings, with the group leaving from the lower rear parking lot of Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, at 10 am. Departure to each week’s location is by 10:10 am.

Hikers participate at their own risk and must sign a release for the Parks & Recreation Department. For additional information about each hike, call the listed leader. To meet the group at a different point or if weather is doubtful the morning of a planned event, call the listed leader.

Extreme snow or ice conditions will cancel a hike. Call a listed hike leader, or contact them a few days in advance to be added to their e-mail list. E-mails are sent out by 8 am the day of a hike if there is a last-minute cancellation or change in location.

All hikes are moderate and last three to five hours plus driving time unless otherwise stated; winter hikes are usually shorter and earlier than fall and spring, however, according to coordinator Sally Cox.

Children are welcome accompanied by adults.

Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended, as is a traction device for boots (crampons, stabilizers, microspikes, etc); dress for the weather. Hiking poles are also suggested for the winter hikes.

Dogs are welcome, leashed, on most trails; check with each hike leader for specifics.

For further information contact Ms Cox, 203-426-9903 or 203-830-9032 or newtownhikers@gmail.com, or Parks & Rec, 203-270-4340.

The 2020 winter season is underway, with hike leaders in parentheses, as follows:

January 18, Topstone Park, Redding (Irene Jutnas, 203-556-2933);

January 25, Sega Meadows, New Milford (Linda Dunn, 203-207-1765);

February 1, Monroe Bike Trail (walk; Lorraine and Greg Branecky, 203-426-2372);

February 8, Bennett’s Pond Trail, Ridgefield (Mark and Lorna Jones, 203-892-9534);

February 15, Squantz Pond Trail, New Fairfield (Sally Cox, 203-830-9032);

February 22, Flanders/Van Vleck Farm trails, Woodbury (Nancy Ziegler, 203-917-7567);

February 29, TBD (Irene Jutnas, 203-556-2933);

March 7, Holcombe Preserve, Newtown, with chili lunch to follow at hike leader’s home (Linda Dunn, 203-207-1765);

March 14, Tarrywile Park, Danbury, backside trail (Karen Gillotti, 203-885-9976);

March 21, White Memorial, Litchfield, PI/LP loop (Jim Steck, 845-621-5559 or 914-806-4107); and

March 28, TBD, final winter season hike followed by pot luck lunch and spring hike planning (Sally Cox, 203-830-9032).