Giuffrida Park

Doctor Francis Giuffrida Park – Meriden, CT

I love hiking at Giuffrida Park. There are plenty of trail options and there are plenty of views to take in. The White trail is the easiest trail in the park as it goes around the lake. The entire trail is about a mile long and starts off pretty easy and well-marked but once you go over the bridge and onto the other side of the lake the trail markings are less and the trail isn’t as wide. You can also hike the blue trails which are more difficult but worth the views. The left side of the blue trails will bring you up Lamentation Mountain and the more popular, right side, will bring you up Chauncey Peak.

Lamentation Mountain – Elevation: 719ft

Doctor Francis Giuffrida Park contains two separate mountain peaks, Lamentation Mountain and Chauncey Peak. Lamentation Mountain is the less crowded mountain with some pretty nice views. I like to take the blue trail up the side and come down the yellow trail at the summit. Be warned, the yellow trail is difficult to find as you get engulfed in the views. When you see leftover firewood/burn spots begin looking for the yellow trail off to your right.

Once I take the yellow trail down to the lake I take the white back up to the blue trail on the other side leading up to Chauncey Peak. The blue trail that goes across Lamentation Mountain is part of the 50-mile long Mettabesett trail.

Chauncey Peak –Elevation: 689ft

Chauncey Peak trail is a very nice climb with nice views overlooking Crescent Lake and views on the other side overlooking the Quarry. If you follow the blue trail up it leads you right to the summit. At the summit of Chauncey, the blue trail does lead you almost straight down to the parking lot. It’s steep and rocky so be careful going down.

The total distance of both mountains combined is about 6 miles, with each side being about 3 miles long. Lamentation trail is a bit longer than Chauncey peak. Also, there is a white trail that circles around the lake, it’s about 1.5 miles from start to finish and pretty easy navigation.

Hiking with your pup at Doctor Francis Giuffrida Park

This is a really great hike to bring your pup on. There are many trail options for pups of all skill levels. I do think getting up lamentation mountain is an easier climb than Chauncey Peak. However, both summits are doable for pups and humans that are in good shape. The trail isn’t difficult it just gets pretty steep. Giuffrida Park is a very enjoyable hike and there are always a lot of dogs around.

They are strict about keeping your pup on a leash and I’ve seen park rangers out giving tickets to pup parents who have their pups off-leash. Dogs are not allowed to swim in the lake as it provides emergency drinking water for residents of Meriden.