Sleeping Giant is a classic CT adventure, with miles and miles of trails, from easy to very challenging. Some of the trails are VERY challenging for inexperienced hikers, with steep rock scrambles and narrow trails along unprotected drop offs. So, plan your route before you go and pick one that is right for your family!
A good map is HERE. It includes trail length as well as difficulty ratings for each trail.
You can't go wrong with the Tower Trail, which is a wide gravel path that ascends steadily up, 1.6 miles, to an incredibly cool stone tower built in 1936. The interior of the tower is open for exploring and you can enjoy some great views from the top in all seasons. You return the same way you walk up, so the trail is 3.2 miles roundtrip.
It took my family (kids ages 7 and 9) exactly 2 hours to complete this hike. It took us an hour to get to the top, walking at a leisurely pace and stopping a few times for the boys to climb and play along the way. We hung out at the top for about 30 minutes, and the return trip to the car in the almost-dark took about 30 minutes. The city lights twinkling at dusk were a really lovely and unexpected treat on the way back down.
More Information:
The Sleeping Giant Park Association has lots of information, including a history of Sleeping Giant, HERE.
