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Ives Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · Running trail in Danbury, Connecticut · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
17 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Ives Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Ives Trail — running trail in Danbury, CT, photo 1
Ives Trail — running trail in Danbury, CT, photo 2
Ives Trail — running trail in Danbury, CT, photo 3
Ives Trail — running trail in Danbury, CT, photo 4
Ives Trail — running trail in Danbury, CT, photo 5
Natural surface17 miOpen 24hHilly

Walking trail named after a local composer & stretching 20 mi. through a heavily wooded area.

What runners say about Ives Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (33 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

left trail was more streep and ok but right side trail was flat and narrow , full of weeds at some places. Some loud noises heard not sure what was it. Saw snake , frog 🐸

★★★★☆ — Disha , Jul 2024

I love this gorgeous trail! It can be as long or as short as you make it.

★★★★★ — Sara , Apr 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 33 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Great trail a good amount of incline/ decline.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

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Plan your run at Ives Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • Distance17 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websiteivestrail.org
  • Phone(203) 797-4632
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Ives Trail

36 Sugar Hollow Rd, Danbury, CT 06810

Get directions

Running trails near Danbury

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Wooster Mountain State Park Scenic Reserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 80 reviews

Danbury, CT

Natural surface

Founded in 1920, this 444-acre park offers trails & hunting, plus a 50-yard outdoor shooting range.

under a mile away

Pine Mountain Trail Head

4.8 ★★★★★ 28 reviews

Ridgefield, CT

Scenic

1.7 miles away

Bennetts Pond State Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 71 reviews

Ridgefield, CT

3 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

State park with trails for hiking and mountain biking, plus lakes and abundant wildlife.

1.8 miles away

Hemlock Hills

4.6 ★★★★★ 101 reviews

Ridgefield, CT

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Famous beauty spot popular with hikers & mountain bikers for its challenging trails & great views.

1.9 miles away

Tarrywile Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 103 reviews

Danbury, CT

LoopShadedScenicDog-friendly

2.1 miles away

Lake Windwing

4.6 ★★★★★ 43 reviews

Ridgefield, CT

ScenicDog-friendly

2.3 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.