CT’s absolutely covered in hiking trails, it’s crazy, you see pull-offs and road crossings constantly. State parks, state wilderness, and just about every town (equivalent of a county in other places; CT has counties, technically, but they don’t do anything, and CT “towns” can have multiple “villages” in them) has a land trust that manages even more wild areas, trails, and parks.
Wildlife includes black bears and moose(!)
Outside the little panhandle bit that’s basically one big NYC suburb, it’s a surprisingly forested state, and feels far more wild than lots of states that have lower population density but are covered in farms. CT farms tend to be isolated, not one butting up against another for miles and miles.
The northeastern quadrant is kinda dull but the rest of the state (the bit nearest NYC excepted) is really pretty. Very hilly, lots of trees, and the whole western third or so is a highland that’s an extension of the Appalachians. Follow that up a little ways, or a bit west, and you’re in proper mountains in MA or NY.
Also, the whole state’s the size of some “greater metro areas” for cities, so you can go from the beach to highland hiking in a day. California lite.