Just 52 miles of the 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail winds its way through the northwest corner of Connecticut. That's the shortest piece claimed by any state on the route. But don't let the tiny number fool you. As I discovered recently, the AT in the Nutmeg State is all about quality, not quantity.

I was in the area on other business - fun stuff, admittedly, but still business - and didn't really have hiking in my plans. But the AT was right there. . . . Every time I drove anywhere, it seemed I found myself passing AT trailhead parking areas and wondering what you'd find if you just started hiking.

I was staying at Breadloaf Mountain Lodge and Cottages (breadloafmountainlodge.com), right across the street from one of the loveliest section of the Housatonic River (which is full of big-but-wary brown trout that become very active in the fall . . .). The owner, Marty Iannone, and I were barbecuing steaks and local summer squash in the evening when he happened to mention that the AT ran along the top of the ridge behind my cottage. I could feel the pull of it all night long . . .

Other obligations were pulling at me, too, but I had some lightweight trail shoes, and a daypack in the car. So my first day there I found the time to hike one very short section near Bull's Bridge (where George Washington lost a horse during the Revolution).

This part of the trail meanders for a half mile along a high river bank where you can peer down through the trees to the flowing river, which glinted in the bright sunlight on this flawless September afternoon. It crosses the Tenmile River on a steel bridge sturdy enough to hold a caravan of elephants - absolutely the most elaborate structure I've ever seen on a hiking trail anywhere - and out through an open meadow with Tenmile Hill ahead.

I wanted very badly to climb that hill. It was right there waiting. I could easily imagine the view from the top on this blue-sky day. The guidebook I was using, The Best of The Appalachian Trail Day Hikes, told me it was only mile or so to the top, but I had other places to be with people waiting for me.

The next day, more or less by accident, I got to poke along two other short sections of the trail. The first was near the photogenic Great Falls on the Housatonic, which has to be one of the great swimming holes in New England. The other was in nearby Falls Village where the AT is flat, paved, fully wheelchair accessible and there for anyone to enjoy.

Same story in both places: a gentle walk through lovely late-summer woodlands with the sound of the river to keep you company.

Compared to some of the sections in New Hampshire and Maine especially, the AT in Connecticut is easy walking. The ATC website rates the Connecticut sections of the trail as a 4-6 degree of difficulty on a scale of 1 to 10 (New Hampshire and Maine get 6-10).

What I saw was just enough to get me fired up and planning to get back and really explore this beautiful countryside. Most people seem to forget that Connecticut is more than casinos and Interstate 95, and pass through on their way to somewhere else. They don't know what they are missing. There's a lot to be discovered here. Just have to make the time.

Life isn't a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

The Housatonic

As much as I was impressed by the AT in CT, I was just as blown away by the beautiful Housatonic River. If you think the wide, muddy Connecticut is the only river of note in the state, you are sadly mistaken.

This river has long been known as a fly-fisherman's paradise. It still is, but bring a large supply of patience and finesse, the trout in this stream are old and wise in the ways of fishhooks. I spent an hour one cool morning trying to entice a reluctant brown trout the length of my forearm into taking a carefully floated ant imitation on the end of a 10-foot leader. No dice. Lot of fun trying, though.

If you're interested, the Housatonic Meadows Fly Shop (flyfishct.com) can get you pointed in the right direction

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