Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Paddling Trails Fairfield County Norwalk Norwalk Islands Kayak Trail
Bring binoculars on this 7.3-mile paddling tour of Long Island Sound,
and take time to check out the shorebirds and a historic island
lighthouse.
I-95 N to exit 16 (toward E. Norwalk, CT). R onto East Ave. In .4 mi., L
onto Cemetery St. In 500 ft., R onto Gregory Blvd. In .5 mi., L around
monument, then R onto Calf Pasture Beach Rd. Go .6 mi. to parking area
(follow signs to Calf Pasture Beach). NOAA Chart:
USGS Quadrangle:
Type of Water:
USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge:
Portage:
Put In:
Take Out:
Out On The Water
Start – Calf Pasture Beach
Travel:
Paddle South from launch on Calf Pasture Beach’s mud and gravel shore
Stop One Longitude 73.392487º W Latitude
Travel:
Bear R at
Betts Island, heading SW. Steer around W coast of
Chimon Island, a national wildlife refuge and home to many shorebirds.
Listen carefully for nasal croaks and soft grunts of the long-legged
glossy ibis
Stop Two Longitude 73.404922 ºW Latitude
Travel:
Pass
Shea Island’s rocky shore; 16 campsites (permit required)
Stop Three Longitude 73.417412 ºW Latitude
Travel:Paddle SW along
Sheffield Island’s rocky shoreline (nesting grounds for the endangered
roseate tern) ID tip: Terns have pointed, forked tails, and dive for fish
headfirst
Stop Four
Longitude
73.419441 ºW
Latitude
Travel:
Dock at 10-room, stone Sheffield Lighthouse, built 1868. Optional: Hike
the .5-mi. nature trail to bird viewing area. ID tip: Use binoculars with
8x magnification or higher
Stop Five
Longitude
73.422958 ºW
Latitude
Travel:
From S tip of
Sheffield Island, swing bow NE
Stop Six
Travel:Longitude
73.403992 ºW
Latitude
Continue North East, past
The Plains Island
Stop Seven
Longitude
73.389954 ºW
Latitude
Travel:
Short portage across narrow section of land (roughly 2 ft. @ high tide;
more @ low tide). Alternative: Paddle East, then North around
Copps Island, adding .5 mi. to trip
Stop Eight
Longitude
73.385521 ºW
Latitude
Travel:
Head North; skirt Western edge of
Grassy Island; rest on its sheltered, sandy coast
Stop Nine
Longitude
73.385963 ºW
Latitude
Travel:
Round Eastern edge of
Betts Island, then paddle 1 mile NNW back to boat launch
Cautions: Powerboat traffic can be heavy, they seem less of a problem then in areas on the Connecticut River.
The open water dissipates the wakes a little better and the many rocks,
reefs, and relative shallowness of the area limits the largest yachts to
a few well-marked channels. There are over 2,000 boats moored in the Norwalk Harbor area. However, the largest are limited to a few well-marked channels.
More Information:
Norwalk Islands Paddling Trail
Norwalk Island Canoe/Kayak Trail - Google Map Norwalk Island Trail Area - Google Map
Norwalk Islands Despite it’s proximity to urban areas, with a population of about 86,000 Norwalk is Connecticut’s sixth largest city, the Norwalk islands are gem. Kayaking here is so excellent New Yorkers have been known to paddle the 45 miles form Manhattan to visit.
The
Norwalk Islands are a
chain of 23 islands ranging from 60 acres to gravel bars barely emerging
from the water. Many of the islands are privately owned but
Grassy Island,
Chimon Island,
Shea Island
The information here is based upon the best available information presently available. If you find and error or have a written description of a water trail we have not included - please contact us
Maps On This Website Are Powered By:
This site utilizes Google base maps to create a faster, more accessible,
and much more user friendly mapping application that provides detailed
information on launch and landing sites, camp sites, restaurants, lodging,
and sites of interest along the various
water trails.
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