Since Valentine's Day is on Sunday, we decided to feature a romantic walk to Lover's Leap in New Milford. This scenic 160-acre park has a storied past as well as hiking trails, scenic vistas, and historic ruins.
Heading away from the parking lot, visitors will walk over the Berlin Iron Bridge, built-in 1895 that spans the Housatonic River. It is only one of five remaining bridges that span the river. This bridge is closed to auto traffic but can be enjoyed by hikers. The bridge provides scenic views of the Housatonic River.
Across the bridge, the Lovers Leap Trail heads southeast 1,200 feet to the rock formation that gives the park its name. From here, tradition has it, that the Pootatuck Indian Chief Waramaug’s daughter, Princess Lillinonah, fell in love with an Englishman. He left her with the intention of returning one day, but in her despair, she flung herself into the Housatonic River. As she plunged into the now buried "great falls" in her birch canoe, her lover having just returned dove in after her. Both drowned. The Chief himself died in 1735.The path through the woods follows the Housatonic River to a lookout of Lake Lillinonah and the surrounding hills. The path is easy to walk on and shaded with oak trees.
The blue trail leads to the highest point of the area and hikers will traverse a bit of an incline. Along the way, hikers will pass the ruins of a castle and other overgrown foundations, and the tea house. The blue trail leads to a splendid scenic view of the Housatonic River and the rolling Litchfield Hills.
For a map of the park click here. The park is located off Grove Street in New Milford. There is also a small parking area off of Town Farm Road.
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