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| West Hartford Reservoir #6 can be seen from the Heublein Tower at Talcott Mountain State Park, May 2015. |
I like to visit a variety of places because I get bored doing the same hike over and over. Some areas I have hiked, I never return to because I did not find them to be interesting enough to warrant a second visit. These are places I enjoyed enough that I have returned to them multiple times. These hikes are listed alphabetically by location name, not ranked by my preferences of which I think is a more desirable place to hike.
Some of the trails described in this guide are Blue-Blazed Trails managed by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA). The CFPA has an interactive map on its website that allows hikers to see an overview of the entire trail system with information about trail length and parking. Support CFPA by becoming a member because the trails don’t maintain themselves; the volunteers (with some help from a small staff and a summer trails crew) keeps the trails in good shape.
Interactive map: https://www.ctwoodlands.org/blue-blazed-hiking-trails/blue-blazed-hiking-trails-interactive-map
For other hiking areas managed by private organizations, pick one to support, so they can keep their trails maintained.
For state parks and forests, encourage the governor and your state representative and senator to properly fund state parks and forests (which are chronically underfunded and understaffed). You can also join the Friends of Connecticut State Parks, which advocates for the state parks, and, if one exists, a friends group for your favorite state park. Website: https://friendsctstateparks.org
For any of these areas, help out by becoming a trail maintainer yourself.
Be Bear Aware
Bears are an increasing presence in Connecticut, so no matter where you hike, be bear aware. They are particularly present in Hartford’s suburbs, including Avon, Bloomfield, and Simsbury.
The DEEP has an entire page devoted to bear information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Nuisance-Wildlife/Living-with-Black-Bears
Disclaimer: The information presented here was believed to be accurate at the time it was posted in December 2020. Trails can change over time, including being closed, relocated, and blazed a different color. The website links were checked and working in December 2020. Some links were updated at that time because the previous links had been changed and were no longer valid. It is reasonable to assume that as organizations continue to update websites, links will change and old web addresses will not work. If a link does not work, just do a search for that trail or property to locate the current website.
Scroll down to read the hike information:
· Case Mountain Recreation Area, Manchester / Buckingham Reservoir, Glastonbury
· Nassahegon State Forest, Burlington
· Penwood State Park, Bloomfield
· Ragged Mountain, Berlin
· River Highlands State Park, Cromwell (added Jan. 2022)
· Sessions Woods, Burlington
· West Hartford Reservoirs, West Hartford
· Dividend Pond Trails, Rocky Hill
· Quarry Park, Rocky Hill
Case Mountain Recreation Area, Manchester / Buckingham Reservoir, Glastonbury
· Why you should go: Rustic carriage roads lined by stone walls, a beautiful stone bridge near Spring Street with a waterfall underneath, bucolic Case Pond, and the view toward Hartford at the 744-foot high Lookout Mountain are all reasons to visit this 640-acre property with 10 miles of trails.
· Starting Location/Parking: There are three parking areas at Case Mountain:
68 Birch Mountain Road, at the northeast end of the property, has about 15 parking spaces in a gravel lot. This is the most popular parking area at Case Mountain.
670 Spring St. Manchester,at the northwest end of the property,has only 6 parking spaces in a paved lot.
Line Street, Manchester, 0.8 miles east of Route 85, just past the turn for Gardner Street, at the southwest end of the property, has about 10 parking spaces in a gravel lot.
The best nearby parking lot is the Park and Ride lot that also serves as a trailhead for the Charter Oak Greenway with an approximate address of 450 Highland St., Manchester, opposite Porter Street. This is one third of a mile away from the Birch Mountain Road parking lot. After leaving your car in the Park and Ride lot, walk east along the Charter Oak Greenway, which parallels Camp Meeting Road. At the base of the circular ramp to the bridge over Camp Meeting Road, walk through the gap in the split rail fence and follow Camp Meeting Road along the wide shoulder to Birch Mountain Road. Right on Birch Mountain, and then right into the parking lot.
· Directions to 68 Birch Mountain Road, Manchester: From the west, I-384 East, Exit 4. Left on Wyllys St., then right on Highland St. (becomes Camp Meeting Road) for 0.6 miles. After crossing I-384, turn right on Birch Mountain Road, and the parking area is on the right just past the street named Nipmuck Trail.
From the east, I-384 West, Exit 4, and turn right on Highland St. (becomes Camp Meeting Road) for 0.9 miles. After crossing I-384, turn right on Birch Mountain Road, and the parking area is on the right just past the street named Nipmuck Trail.
· Directions to the Park and Ride, 450 Highland St., Manchester (If your GPS does not recognize this address, the nearest house is at 437 Highland St., Manchester): From the west, I-384 East, Exit 4. Left on Wyllys St., then right on Highland St. (becomes Camp Meeting Road) for 0.3 miles. Right into the Park and Ride.
From the east, I-384 West, Exit 4, and turn right on Highland St. (becomes Camp Meeting Road) for 0.3 miles. Right into the Park and Ride.
· Directions to Line Street, Manchester (There is no specific street address for this parking lot; the only property on the street with a number is 3 Line St.):From the west, I-384 East, Exit 3. Left on Route 83 South for 1.5 miles. Left on Line Street for 0.8 miles. The parking area is on the left.
From the east, I-384 West, Exit 4, Left on Highland St. for 0.4 miles. Left on Gardner St. for 1.7 miles. Right on Line St. at the curve for 0.1 miles, then right into the parking area.
· Map link: The best map showing all the trails with contour lines and numbered trail markers for trail junctions: https://www.mobilemaplets.com/showplace/12444
The town of Manchester website also includes trails on property to the south in Glastonbury, including the Shenipsit Trail. This map also has numbered trail markers for trail junctions. In an 11 by 17 format, this map is less user friendly than the other map: http://gis2.townofmanchester.org/NewGis/assets/File/CaseMtnrails11x17_2015DecDeg.pdf
A limited map of Case Mountain is on the second to last page of the Manchester Trails Guide: http://recreation1.townofmanchester.org/NewRecreation/assets/File/Trail%20Guide_Update_S19.pdf
· Trail Descriptions: The White loop is a 2.8-mile long carriage road. Other routes are hiking trails. A 1.9-mile portion of the Shenipsit Trail traverses the eastern end of the property. To the south, the Shenipsit Trail connects to Gay City State Park.
· Suggested Hike: From the Birch Mountain Road parking lot, follow the 2.8-mile long White carriage path loop to the summit of Lookout Mountain and return. For a longer hike, incorporate some of the other trails.
· GPS track: To be added at a later date.
· Safety concerns: The area is popular with mountain bikers, so be alert to their presence. It is best to step aside to let them roll by, rather than forcing them to dismount while you walk by.
• Related Information: South of Line Street in Glastonbury is the 2,868-acre Buckingham Reservoir property, owned by the Manchester Water Company. The property is roughly bordered to the west by the subdivision off Route 83 (Manchester Road), to the south by Hebron Avenue and to the east by Birch Mountain Road.
From the GIS maps, I came up with these rough numbers for the property size: water company, 2,524 acres; town of Manchester, 167 acres; town of Glastonbury, 62 acres, and the Kongscut Land Trust, 115 acres. There are some scattered parcels that are privately owned, plus some owned by Eversource.
This is another pretty area to hike, featuring views of the Buckingham Reservoir and numerous opportunities to hike along rocky Roaring Brook. The terrain is relatively mellow if you stay close to the reservoir. The property is a mixture of woods roads and many single-track trails, almost none of which are marked. The major exception is the Blue-Blazed Shenipsit Trail and related trails near Birch Mountain Road. There is also a loop west of the powerlines which has a Blue Trail and an Orange Trail. Some intersections have a number on a sign nailed to tree.
There are two map options for this area, which show the woods roads and the various Blue Trails, but not all the single-track trails. One map option is the 11-inch by 17-in. map of Case Mountain. A smaller map is on page 10 of the PDF file for the Manchester Trail Guide, where the property is listed as Roaring Brook. Waymarked Trails shows many trails in the area: https://hiking.waymarkedtrails.org/#?map=15.0/41.7302/-72.4903
A suggested 5.5 mile hike would be to follow the woods roads south from the Line Street parking lot to the Buckingham Reservoir, looping around the reservoir, and returning mostly the way you came.
There are signs saying the property is closed to public access, but they are outdated. Officially, the property is restricted to people who meet the following criteria, as outlined on the water company website:
“Participation: The Passive Recreation Program only authorizes residents of Manchester, Manchester property owners, Town of Manchester Employees, and customers of the Manchester Water Department. Use of a driver’s license, state ID card, tax or utility bill and/or Town Employee ID can be used as proof of eligibility. Minors are allowed to use the passive recreational areas while in the company of a parent, legal guardian or adult over the age of 21 years old.”
http://waterandsewer1.townofmanchester.org/index.cfm/passive-recreation/
However, no such restriction is listed in the Manchester Trail Guide.
Extensive historical information may be viewed at the Lost Glastonbury website: https://lostglastonbury.com/buckingham-reservoir/
Nassahegon State Forest, Burlington
· Why you should go: The various colored side trails of the Tunxis Trail provides the opportunity for a loop hike of varying lengths. The forest has many scenic features, including extensive groves of hemlock and pine trees, some of which are impressively tall. At times the trails are green tunnels under the mountain laurels and hemlocks. Various babbling brooks pass through the forest. There is a scenic, rocky ravine on the Blue-Orange Trail. The remains of Camp Nepaug, a Works Progress Administration camp from the 1930s, are found near the Blue-Yellow Trail along Stone Road.
· Starting Location/Parking: There is plenty of parking at theNassahegan Recreational Complex, 222 Punch Brook Rd., Burlington, near the junction with George Washington Tpke. GPS and map websites may have difficulty with this address, so you may need to use the address of the nearest house, which has an address is 209 Punch Brook Rd., located a quarter mile to the east. Parking may be limited when the fields are being used for soccer or baseball games.
· Directions:Rt. 8 North or South, Exit 42 to Rt. 118 East for 2.6 miles, then straight on Rt. 4 East for 5.6 miles. Bear right on George Washington Tpke. for 0.9 miles. Bear left on Punch Brook Rd. for 0.1 miles, then right into the recreational complex parking lot.
I 84 West or East to Route 72 West for 2 miles to Exit 1. Right on Rt. 177 North for 5 miles. Left on Burlington Road (then George Washington Tpke.) for 2.6 miles. Right on Case Rd. for 0.4 miles. Bear left on Punch Brook Rd. for 0.9 miles, then left into the recreational complex parking lot.
From the junction of Route 202 and 179, drive south on Route 179 for 2 miles. Right on Route 4 West for 1.9 miles. Left on Belden Rd. for 0.5 miles. Left on George Washington Turnpike for 0.3 miles. Bear left on Punch Brook Rd. for 0.1 miles, then right into the recreational complex parking lot.
· Map link: The state website does not have a map for the forest. There is a map on the Connecticut NEMBA website that shows all the Blue Trails, along with the mountain bike trails: http://nwctnemba.org/images/Nass_NEMBA_CFPA_map_June2017.jpg
· Trail Descriptions: The trails wind through the rolling to hilly terrain of the forest, which varies from evergreens to hardwoods. Sometimes the trails follow woods roads and other times they are narrow footpaths. Footing is good throughout and while there are some extended climbs, there are no super steep hills. There are also some short segments along roads that last for no more than a quarter mile.
· Suggested Hike: This 8-mile loop has 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Hike east from the gravel portion of the parking area near the soccer field on the White mountain bike trail. At mile 0.3, turn right on the Blue-Yellow Trail heading southeast and soon cross George Washington Turnpike at a cul-de-sac. At mile 0.9 near Stone Road, continue northwest along the left side of the road off-trail to view the remains of a long, narrow concrete building lacking a roof. A short distance north of the building is a stone chimney. After viewing these structures, return to the Blue-Yellow Trail, which heads south on Stone Road (dirt). In 0.1 miles there is a stone building from Camp Nepaug, which may have once been used to “jail” unruly workers in the camp. Be careful when entering the building, as there is an opening to a small lower level with a drop of about four feet. From the building, continue south on Stone Road, turning right on the Blue-Yellow Trail into the woods at mile 1.35; the Blue-Red Trail heads east at this junction. At the next junction, turn left on the Blue-Orange Trail at mile 1.50 near where the White Trail crosses. At mile 2.5, the Blue-Orange Trail crosses Stony Hill Rd. where the trail loops around from heading south to heading west. At mile 3.2, turn right on the Blue-Yellow Trail heading north. At mile 3.9, turn left on the Blue-Green Trail, where the Blue-Yellow Trail bends to the right and shortly after crossing the Red-White mountain bike trail. The Green dots were very faded when I hiked this in March 2021. At mile 4.55, turn right on the Blue-White Trail at the end of the Blue-Green Trail. At mile 5.25, turn right on the Blue-White Trail to briefly follow George Washington Turnpike, then left to enter the woods. At mile 6.2, turn right on the Blue-Yellow Trail, soon passing the Blue-Purple Trail on the left. At mile 7.4, turn right to follow the Blue-Yellow Trail along Punch Brook Rd., then left to follow the Blue-Yellow Trail where it enters the woods. At mile 7.7, turn right on the White Trail to return to the parking area, arriving back at mile 8.0.
To shorten the return a bit (as is shown in the GPS track below): after crossing Punch Brook Rd., walk in the woods along the shoulder of the road for 0.15 miles to return to the parking lot. Do not walk along the road itself because there is a hill and a curve, giving driving no warning as they come over the hill that there people walking in the road.
For a shorter hike of 6.3 miles:At mile 1.5, bear right to stay on the Blue-Yellow Trail, instead of taking the left on the Blue-Orange Trail. At mile 2.2, turn right on the Blue-Green Trail, which on the full loop happens at mile 3.9 and resume the above notes at that point.
The other major way to shorten the hike (by 2.4 miles) involves a potentially hazardous road walk. Instead of crossing George Washington Turnpike on the Blue-White Trail at mile 5.25, turn right to walk along the road for 0.3 miles, and then bearing left on Punch Brook Road for 0.1 miles to return to the parking area. This road walk is challenging because the road is narrow and twisty, potentially busy, and there is only a narrow grassy area along the edge for walking.
For a slightly longer hike of 8.4 miles:At mile 6.2, turn left on the Blue-Purple Trail heading southeast. At mile 7.2, turn right the Blue-Purple Trail where the Blue-Red Trail goes out to Ryan’s Way. At mile 7.4, cross George Washington Turnpike to stay on the Blue-Purple Trail. At mile 7.9, turn right on the Blue-Yellow Trail, then left at mile 8.1 on the White Trail, ending the hike at mile 8.4.
Any other longer option would involve hiking the twisty mountain bike trails or doing an out and back on the various Blue Trails that are not part of this loop.
GPS track: This 7.6 mile loop has 1,200 feet of elevation gain. The pace was slow that day due to deep, crusty snow, which is also why we returned along Punch Brook Road.
As a commentary on differences in total elevation gain, Garmin Connect shows this route has having 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Garmin Base Camp on my computer shows it as having 1,300 feet of elevation gain. I find that Connect always shows a lower number than Base Camp. By roughly averaging the two and rounding up, I will go with the 1,200 feet as a suitable compromise.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/6386328116
· Safety concerns: State forests permit hunting, so wear blaze orange during hunting season on days when hunting is allowed. Hunting is not permitted on Sundays in state forests.
· Special considerations: Pay careful attention to the blazes as the secondary color, typically represented by a dot, may not be readily visible, particularly on the Blue-Green Trail.
There are many mountain bike trails that criss-cross the Blue Trails and wind their way through the forest, often in tight loops designed to maximize the mileage for cyclists. From a hiking perspective, there is little point in wandering back and forth, but not actually going anywhere.
The Burlington Land Trust has a list of hikes in Burlington created by Alan Perrie, a retired teacher, which include all the details needed to complete the hike, along with a map: https://www.burlingtonlandtrust.org/vmcmaps
The Burlington Traveler’s Guide has Camp Nepaug info on page 11: http://burlington-history.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Burlington_Travelers_Guide_2019.pdf
Camp Nepaug article: https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2014-07-04-hc-marteka-camp-nepaug-jail-0706-20140704-story.html
Spelling note: The state forest is spelled –gon. The recreation area is spelled –gan.
Penwood State Park, Bloomfield
· Why you should go: The 787-acre Penwood State Park is located on a rugged ridge with three good overlooks to the west, including the Pinnacle on the Blue-Blazed Metacomet Trail, the Cedar Ridge Overlook on the Yellow Trail and an unnamed overlook on the Orange Trail. Lake Louise is a peaceful pond. The paved park road loop offers walking options with easier footing.
· Starting Location/Parking: The main entrance is located at 560 Simsbury Road (Rt. 185), Bloomfield.There is room for about 20 cars here.
· Directions: I-91 North or South, Exit 35B to Route 218 West for 4 miles. Right on Route 189 North for 1 mile. Left on Route 178 West for 1.8 miles. Right on Route 185 West for 1.1 miles. Right into the park entrance. Go a short distance and right into the parking lot.
From the west, take Route 202 to Route 185 East for 1.6 miles. The park entrance is on the left.
· Map link: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/penwoodpdf.pdf?la=en
· Trail Descriptions: Penwood contains a mixture of trails, dirt woods roads, and asphalt park roads. The trails tend to go steadily uphill from the entrance toward the middle of the park, then descend gradually down toward the northern end. The Blue-Blazed Metacomet Trail has a 3.4-mile section the parking and is an uphill climb from Wintonbury Rd. with some steep sections. The Blue Trail is well marked. Other trails are not as clearly marked.Sample elevations in feet above sea level: Picnic area (490 ft.), Lake Louise (560 ft.), Pinnacle (740 ft.), Blue Trail south of Lake Louise (750 ft.), Cedar Ridge Overlook (700 ft.)
· Suggested Hike: This 6.1-mile hike uses the trails on the western and central portions of the park. From the parking area, head north on the Yellow Trail. Enjoy the view from the Cedar Ledge at mile 1.35. At mile 1.85 pass near Lake Louise, continuing north on the Orange Trail. At mile 2.65, take in the view from the overlook. At the northern end of the park at mile 3.15, turn right to head south on the Blue-Blazed Metacomet Trail. At mile 4.40, take a break at the Pinnacle overlook. At mile 4.70, stop and enjoy a view of Lake Louise. Continue south to return to the entrance and the parking area at mile 6.1.
For a shorter hike, at Lake Louise, turn right on the park road and head east, then turn right on the Metacomet Trail heading south.
· GPS track: I hiked Penwood State Park when I lived in the area, but it is now far enough away, I have not made it back in years. My hikes preceded my GPS days, so I will upload a track at a later date.
· Safety concerns: Some steep trail sections could have challenging footing in icy conditions.
· Special considerations: Hiking south on the Metacomet Trail from Penwood leads to Talcott Mountain State Park and the Heublein Tower.
Ragged Mountain, Berlin
· Why you should go: Ragged Mountain offers impressive views from multiple locations along this rugged trap rock ridge. Views include the Wassel and Shuttle Meadow Reservoirs to the west and Upper Hart Pond to the south. Meriden Mountain is also visible to the south.
· Starting Location/Parking: The only parking area is at 438 West Lane, Berlin, where West Lane becomes Wigwam Road. There are about 10 good parking spaces and another 5 where you could squeeze a car onto the shoulder. If these areas are full, other options include parking on one of two nearby streets, each 0.3 miles away: Woodhaven Drive to the east or Burgundy Drive to the south. Should you choose to park on one of these two streets, be sure to leave plenty of room around people’s driveways and mailboxes, including across the street from the driveway, to keep relations positive with the neighbors, so they don’t ask the town to ban parking on their streets.
· Directions: From the Hartford area: Take Rt. 9 South to Exit 28 and merge with Rt. 72 West. Take the exit to Rt. 372 East and follow that for 1.3 miles until Rt. 71A/High Rd., then right on West Lane for 0.6 miles until the parking area. From the New Haven area: take I-91 North to Rt. 691 West to Exit 6, Lewis Ave. Left on Lewis Ave. and go past the mall to make on left onto Kensington Ave. and then right onto Rt. 71 North for 5.4 miles. Left on West Lane for 0.6 miles until the parking area.
· Map link: This map from CFPA points to “You Are Here” which is the main trailhead on West Lane in Berlin. Based on my GPS tracks, the mileage on this map is about 10 percent low: https://www.ctwoodlands.org/sites/default/files/Ragged%20New%20Trail%20Map.pdf
· Trail Descriptions: The Ragged Mountain trails have the typical uneven, and at times loose rock of a trap rock ridge.There are two major climbs at Ragged Mountain. From the base at Carey Street to the top of the rock scramble, there is an elevation gain of about 350 feet over about 0.4 miles. Most people are not likely to do this climb, unless they are hiking the Metacomet Trail from Timberlin Park in Berlin, the location of Short Mountain. Since most people will start at West Lane, they will encounter 500 ft. of gain in 2 miles if hiking clockwise from West Lane to the top of the mountain. If you hike counterclockwise, it takes 3.4 miles to cover this same elevation gain. As recommended below, it is better to hike the loop clockwise, so you are hiking the steep part right away while going uphill, and then you have a long steady descent when you are more tired and which is easier on the knees.
· Suggested Hike: The circuit hike at Ragged Mountain is 5.5 miles. Start from West Lane on the Blue-Red Trail and turn left to stay on the Blue-Red Trail once in the woods for a steady 2-mile climb to the top of the mountain, gaining 500 feet of elevation. Once you reach the top, the general trend for the rest of the hike is downhill, although there are short uphills along the way. At 1.7 miles, turn right on the Blue-Blazed Metacomet Trail to head north along the top of the ridge with continuing excellent views of the Wassel and Shuttle Meadow Reservoirs and surrounding countryside.
At 4.3 miles, the Metacomet Trail descends the ridge to the west. There are two choices at this point: continue straight on Blue-Red, or turn right on Blue-White. If you are looking to avoid an unnecessary descent and climb (adding about 100 feet of elevation gain), continue straight on Blue-White for 0.5 miles where it merges back into the Blue-Red Trail at mile 4.8 of your hike. At mile 5.5, turn left to return to West Lane.
If you are looking for a shorter hike, turn right on the Blue-Orange Trail at mile 3.7 to return to the parking area. This hike would be 4.5 miles.
For a slightly longer, more challenging hike, at mile 4.3, go straight on the Blue-Red Trail, instead of taking Blue-White. This would give a 5.8-mile hike. When I led this hike years ago using the full Blue-Red Trail, I told the tired hikers that my GPS said 5.8 miles, but their legs felt like they had walked 8 miles.
· GPS track: This 5.5-mile track has 1,200 feet of climbing. The mileage does not start at zero at West Lane because I hiked in from Short Mountain in Berlin, as part of a longer hike that I would not repeat because it is too long (at 12 miles), too hilly (with 2,200 feet of elevation gain), including the climb up to Ragged Mountain from Carey Street and the return climb up Short Mountain, and too tiring due to a combination of the distance and climbing. Track: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4967519782
· Safety concerns: At the overlooks, don’t get too close to the edge, as it is a long way down. Some sections could have difficult traction in icy conditions. Copperhead snakes live on the ridge, but this is more of a concern for the rock climbers. Although poisonous, copperheads are shy, docile snakes and consider yourself fortunate if you are able to observe one.
· Special considerations: Ragged Mountain is considered the premier rock climbing destination in Connecticut, so there may be rock climbers on the cliffs below the trail. Not that anyone should ever throw rocks from the top of a ridge, but this would be a particularly bad place to do that.
The Ragged Mountain Foundation manages the area. The website reflects the foundation’s mission, which is promoting rock climbing: https://www.raggedmtn.org
The Metacomet Trail connects south to Short Mountain Berlin where there are two challenging areas to navigate. Neither of these areas is part of any Ragged Mountain loop.
From the top of Ragged Mountain to Carey Street, the trail descends 350 feet of elevation in only 0.4 miles. The first part of the descent is a rock scramble with the toughest part near the top, which has about a five-foot drop. The rocks are slippery in places due to all the other hikers who have worn them smooth. If you like the challenge of rock scrambles and don’t mind the risk of falling and getting hurt, enjoy the descent. If you prefer secure footing, there is an alternate unmarked rocky path just to the west. I believe this path should be blazed to encourage its use, particularly in wet and icy conditions.
The other challenge for this connection is the ascent to Short Mountain over what is best described as the scary ledge. The ledge is narrow and tilted down the downside of the hill and there are places where there is little good footing or handholds. This ledge is particularly challenging to traverse in slippery conditions. The alternate way to bypass the ledge is to follow the base of the ridge north where there is a ravine by a rock wall that has a steady climb to the top. This is not a trail and not likely to become one because it crosses the back of a number of private properties, but far enough back you do not see any homes.
River Highlands State Park, Cromwell (added Jan. 2022)
· Why you should go: This 171-acre park has two scenic highlights: beautiful views of the Connecticut River and a hemlock-lined ravine with a small stream. There are also some impressively tall pitch pines, an increasingly rare species in Connecticut.
· Starting Location/Parking: The parking lot for River Highlands is located at 115 Field Road, Cromwell. There is room for 15 cars in the gravel parking lot. There is no sign for the park, so it is very easy to drive by the parking lot entrance.
· Directions: I-91 North, Exit 21, then left on Rt. 372 East for 2.5 miles. (Or Rt. 9, Exit 19, then Rt. 372 East for 1 mile.) Left on New Lane for 0.5 miles. Left on Rt. 99 North for 0.1 miles, then bear right on Prospect Hill Rd. for 0.4 miles. Bear right on Nooks Hill Rd. for 0.6 miles. Left on Field Rd. for 0.6 miles. Right into the park.
I-91 South, Exit 24, then right on Rt. 99 South for 4 miles. Left on Golf Club Rd. for 0.3 miles. Right on Field Rd. for 1.2 miles. Left into the park.
· Map link: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/River-Highlands-State-Park/Maps
· Trail Descriptions: Elevation changes are generally mild in the park and footing is good along all the trails. The trails have been developed and improved by mountain bikers with some of the newer trails having the twisty loops that they favor. The Green Trail north of the Yellow Trail is like a rollercoaster with a series of short, sharp descents and ascents designed for bikers. The White Trail is an easy alternative to this trail.
· Suggested Hikes: Hike a clockwise loop through the property, starting on the Green Trail at the north end of the parking lot, which parallels the railroad tracks. The Green Trail briefly crosses private property where there are “No Trespassing” signs. At the northern end of the state park property near the golf course, bear left onto the White Trail at mile 0.65, which soon takes a sharp turn south at mile 0.8 before re-entering the state property. The White Trail provides good views of the Connecticut River. Where the White Trail turns sharply west, there are two unmarked trails to descend to the campsite at mile 1.5. Both trails pass through deeply eroded gullies: the trail to the west (right) is slightly less steep. Turn left at the campsite for river views at the water level. To continue the hike, walk west along the Yellow Trail through a hemlock-lined ravine over a series of footbridges. At the end at mile 2.0, turn left on the White Trail, which is a wide woods road to return to the parking lot, giving a 2.2 mile hike with about 200 feet of elevation gain.
For a second loop, before reaching the parking lot, turn left on the Green Trail at mile 2.15 heading southeast. Turn right on the Red Trail heading south at mile 2.35. Near the south end of the park, turn left on the twisty singletrack trail heading northeast at mile 2.65. This trail may have green blazes, even though the 2016 state map shows it as unmarked. The trail briefly crosses land owned by Eversource before connecting with an Orange-Green Trail (the Orange Trail is on the right) where you should turn bear right: Orange-Green also goes left here. At the end of Orange-Green, turn sharply right on the Green Trail heading north at mile 3.55: the Green Trail also continues west here. Where the Green Trail turns right along the stream, bear left onto the unblazed trail on the south side of the stream at mile 3.95. This trail soon comes to the White Trail at the Yellow Trail at mile 4.10. Turn left on the White Trail to return to the parking lot for a 4.25 mile hike with about 400 feet of elevation gain.
· GPS track: None at this time
· Safety concerns: None, other than the risk of getting off-track due to the many trails and the limited blazes, as noted below.
· Special considerations: River Highlands is a web of trails, some unmarked and some that the map shows as having colors. The trail markings were frustrating to follow when I hiked this in January 2022. While some trail sections had clearing markings, there were gaps in the blazes that resulted in me getting off-track from the loop I planned to hike. The unmarked trails add to the confusion. Since the park is relatively small, it is easy enough to get back on track, especially because the river is on the west side and the railroad tracks are along the east side. Pay careful attention to the map as you hike. Since the park is popular with mountain bikers, be aware of their potential presence.
Sessions Woods, Burlington
· Why you should go: Hike beneath towering pine trees with scenic highlights along the way, a rocky, babbling brook, a thundering waterfall, a beautiful pond and marsh, along with two viewpoints: one on the ground to the Hanging Hills of Meriden, and the other from a fire tower to various hills around the area. This 800-acre property also has a Conservation Education Center with educational programs. There are interpretive signs along the trails.
· Starting Location/Parking: The parking lot is located at 341 Milford St. (Route 69), Burlington. The paved parking area is large, but since this is a popular area, the lot fills with cars on the weekends.
· Directions: Rt. 8 Exit 39 to Rt. 6 East for 6.5 miles to Rt. 69 North for 3.7 miles, then left into the parking area.
Other directions at this website: http://www.fosw.org/directions/
· Map link: Black and white brochure with map: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Wildlife-Mangement-Areas/Sessions-Woods-Wildlife-Management-Area
Color map: https://friendsctstateparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Sessions-Woods.pdf
Take care in reading the map. Trails are marked by dashed lines, while the two brooks are marked with solid lines. On the color map, the gravel woods roads are shown in different colors. However, in reality, the woods roads are NOT blazed, but are clearly marked at junctions with large wooden signs. The only marked trails are the two Tunxis Trails: the Blue-Yellow Trail (a portion of which follows the Beaver Pond Trail) and the Blue-Black Trail, which cuts across the south end of the property.
For an overview of the entire area, visit this website for GIS maps: https://northwesthillscog.org/nhcogtrails/and click on Regional Trails Viewer.
· Trail Descriptions: Most trails at Session Woods are wide gravel woods roads, including the 2.6 mile Beaver Pond Trail, the 0.6 mile Forest Meadow Trail, the 0.4 mile Tree ID Trail, and the 0.4 mile Crosscut Trail. The Blue-Black Trail is a footpath with some minor rock scrambles. The Blue-Orange and the Blue-Yellow Trails are footpaths through rolling woodlands with good footing. The exception is the part of the Blue-Yellow Trail that overlaps the Beaver Pond Trail.
The two Sessions Woods maps do not show the White blazed mountain bike trail that parallels Route 69. This trail is shown on the newer Nassahegon State Forest map, which may be viewed on the map at the link below. Having hiked this trail, I do not recommend it. Much of the trail is within view of busy Route 69. The northern part has a series of wiggles where the trail turns back on itself, built solely for the purpose of giving the bikers maximum mileage. From a hiking standpoint, it’s amusing (and irritating) to see others in a group perhaps 50 to 100 feet away going in the opposite direction. Once the trail straightens out, it passes through a clear cut area with potentially soggy footing, and lots of pricker bushes to catch you as you walk by.
· Suggested Hike: From the parking area, enter the Beaver Pond Trail by the gazebo near the education center and follow it south. At 0.5 miles, turn right to the Summer House, which is a small pavilion, for an excellent view out to Meriden Mountain. After returning to the trail, continue south. Where the trail swings west at mile 0.9, you have a choice: continue on the wide gravel road that is the Beaver Pond Trail or cut through the Youth Camping Area to the footpath blazed Blue-Black.
If you stay on the Beaver Pond Trail (3.6 mile hike):pass the Tree ID trail at mile, cross the brook, and pass the Crosscut Trail at mile 1.3. At mile 1.4 on the left is the Red Blazed footpath to the waterfall on Negro Hill Brook. The waterfall is certainly a feature to be viewed. At the waterfall, it is best to backtrack on the Red Trail. The other option is to take the steep stairs up the hill, which beyond the stairs is a rocky, eroded mess. Back at the Beaver Pond Trail from the Red Trail, turn left and almost immediately is the woods road leading the Lookout Tower with its views (mile 1.6 if you walked to the falls and back). After returning to the Beaver Pond Trail from the tower, turn right. Almost immediately is a short trail to the Viewing Blind for the marsh. Continuing west on the Beaver Pond Trail, just before the trail turns east, is a short trail to a vernal pool on the right and a boardwalk to a Viewing Blind on the left (mile 2.1 if you went to the waterfall and the tower). Any of these short side trails are worth the walk for the view. At the turn, there is an excellent view of the Beaver Marsh. From this point, you can head straight back, giving a hike of 2.8 miles, including the various short trails to the waterfall, tower, and viewing blind.
For a longer hike, turn right and head south on the Crosscut Trail at mile 2.3. Turn left on the Beaver Pond Trail at mile 2.7, and after crossing the brook, turn left to head north on the Tree ID Trail at mile 2.9. On the northern section of the Beaver Pond Trail, turn right at mile 3.3, and head back to the parking lot, ending at mile 3.6. From the rear of the Education Center, access the 0.6-mile Forest Meadow Trail for some additional mileage.
Using the Blue-Black Trail, instead of the Beaver Pond Trail (6.5 mile hike): Walk through the Youth Camping Area, crossing the brook on a wooden footbridge, and then turning right to head west on Blue-Black Trail. This trail passes along and through a variety of large and interesting rock formations. Near East Chippens Hill Road, the Blue Black Trail ends at the Blue-Yellow Trail. Turn right at mile 2.4 to head north on the Blue-Yellow Trail. After looping past the Beaver Marsh, the Blue-Yellow Trail connects at mile 3.8 with the Beaver Pond Trail, and overlaps with this trail heading east almost to the main parking area.
For a shorter hike, turn left and head back to the parking area, arriving at mile 4.3. Just before the parking area, the Blue-Yellow Trail heads north. Stay on the Beaver Pond Trail.
For a longer hike: Turn right on the Beaver Pond Trail at mile 3.8, and soon past the trail to the Waterfowl Blind on the right and the Vernal Pool on the left at mile 4.0. After visiting these areas, continue south on the Beaver Pond Trail. Just before the trail heads east, turn right to visit the Viewing Blind, and, after returning back to the Beaver Pond Trail, turn left at mile 4.5 to view the Lookout Tower, and when you return, turn left onto the Beaver Pond Trail. In a short distance, turn right on the Red Trail at mile 4.7 to view the waterfall, and return to the Beaver Pond Trail.
For lesser mileage and to avoid the backtrack, after leaving the Red Trail from the waterfall and turning right on the Beaver Pond Trail at mile 4.9, cross the brook and turn left on the Tree ID Trail at mile 5.2. At the junction with the Beaver Pond Trail at mile 5.7, turn right to return to the parking lot.
For a some additional mileage, turn right to follow an unblazed trail behind the Education Center, and then turn right on the Forest Meadow Cutoff Trail at mile 5.9 and follow the loop counterclockwise. At the end of the loop at mile 6.5, the trail ends at the parking lot.
Additional mileage is available by taking the Blue-Orange and Blue-Yellow Trails north to the Nassahegon State Forest.
GPS track: None available at this time.
· Safety concerns: The Blue Black Trail has two sections with a narrow boardwalk that is constructed from two six by six beams. The day I hiked at Session Woods the beams were covered in ice and were very slippery. I would have preferred a traditional boardwalk made from planks. I bypassed the boardwalk west of the Beaver Marsh by crossing the brook on East Chippens Hill Road. The rock scrambles on the Blue-Black Trail would be tricky in wet and icy conditions and can mostly be avoided by hiking on the level ground nearby, using the unofficial trails created by people probably trying to avoid the rock scrambles.
· Special considerations: Don’t look for Sessions Woods in the Parks and Forests page for the Connecticut DEEP. Sessions Woods has its own page because it is a Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
The Blue-Black Trail connects to the Barnes Nature Center, 175 Shrub Road, Bristol, which has a small trail system. I have not hiked those trails.
Website:
https://elcct.org/harry-c-barnes-memorial-nature-center/barnes-hiking-trail-maps/
The Blue-Orange and Blue-Yellow Trails connect to the Nassahegon State Forest: http://nwctnemba.org/images/Nass_NEMBA_CFPA_map_June2017.jpg
Many hiking options are described with excellent details and maps at the Town of Burlington Hiking and Walking Trails page:
https://www.burlingtonct.us/parks-recreation/pages/hiking-and-walking-trails
West Hartford Reservoirs, West Hartford
· Why you should go: The roads and trails at the West Hartford Reservoirs are an impressive recreational resource, which are owned and operated by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), the water company and water pollution control authority for the greater Hartford region. According to the MDC, there are more than 2,800 acres of land on their properties with more than 41 miles of trails and paved roads. There are numerous reservoir views along the roads, paths, and trails.
· Starting Location/Parking: There are two entrances to the two distinct parcels.
The southern entrance is located at 1420 Farmington Ave. (Route 4), West Hartford. This parking area serves the property between Routes 4 and 44, which has Reservoirs 1 to 5.
The northern entrance is located at 2900 Albany Ave. (Route 44), West Hartford, and serves the property north of Route 44, which contains Reservoir 6. The northern parcel has two parking lots: one by the entrance and one at the back by the two water tanks. The only trail connection between the two properties is the Metacomet Trail.
· Directions: To the West Hartford Reservoirs (Reservoirs 1-5), 1420 Farmington Ave. (Route 4), West Hartford.
From the west:I-84 East, Exit 39 to Route 4 East for 2.2 miles. Left into the property by the sign “West Hartford Water Treatment Plant.” Drive 0.1 miles, then left into the public parking lot.
From the east:I-84, Exit 43 (Park Road). Left off the ramp on Park Road (becomes Sedgwick Rd.) and go 1.4 miles. At the curve, bear right on Mountain Road for 0.4 miles. Left on Route 4 East for 1 mile. Right into the property by the sign “West Hartford Water Treatment Plant.” Drive 0.1 miles, then left into the public parking lot.
To Reservoir 6, 2900 Albany Ave. (Route 44), West Hartford:
From the east or west:I-84, Exit 43 (Park Road). Right off ramp and get into the left lane to make an immediate left turn onto Trout Brook Drive. Drive 2.3 miles north on Trout Brook Drive, then left on Albany Ave. (Rt. 44 West) for 2.3 miles. Turn right into the MDC Reservoir #6 entrance. The front area has parking on both sides of the access road.
For the rear parking area by the water tanks: continue past the parking area at the entrance and go 1.4 miles along the access road. Bear left into the visitor’s parking lot where you will see two large water tanks. There is plenty of parking in both lots, but because this is a popular area, there is always the possibility the lots will fill up on a weekend.
· Map link: There are three maps at this website. The West Hartford Reservoirs Trail Map is for the property off Route 4, while the Reservoir #6 map is for the property north of Route 44. The combined map shows both properties on one sheet, but is less practical for navigation, due to its size. Unless you are hiking the Metacomet Trail, your trails are likely limited to one property or the other. Maps: https://themdc.org/recreation-areas/reservoirs
· Trail Descriptions: There are numerous trails in this area; virtually none of them have any signs or blazes, so it is necessary to closely follow the map. Making things even more complicated is the fact that there are many side trails, which are not listed on the map. Many trails in this area are paved walking paths, crumbling asphalt roads, or gravel fire roads. The Metacomet Trail is marked with blue blazes. About 9 miles of the Metacomet Trail traverses the western portion of the properties, giving a sense of the property size. Elevations range from 310 feet in the parking lot to 700 feet on Kilkenny Rock.
· Suggested Hike: West Hartford Reservoirs, off Route 4:Follow the road at the far end of the parking lot for the Red Loop for a 3.4 mile walk or the Yellow Loop for a 2 mile walk. For a longer walk, combine the two. Additional options require exploring the unblazed roads and trails beyond the loops, or accessing the Blue-Blazed Metacomet Trail off the Red Loop.
Reservoir #6, off Rt. 44: From either parking lot on the property, follow the Red Loop around Reservoir #6 for a 3.6-mile walk. The trail around Reservoir #6 is essentially flat, but has no shade on the eastern side. On the western side, the Metacomet Trail follows the path along the reservoir. There are unblazed trails to the west, which can be used to create a longer, hillier loop.
Reservoir #6, off Rt. 44 to Talcott Mountain State Park: For an 8-mile hike, follow the paved road south to connect to the paved path along the eastern side of Reservoir #6. At the south end of the reservoir, turn right to follow the gravel path along the west side of the reservoir (which also includes the Metacomet Trail). Near the top of the reservoir, bear left to stay on the Metacomet Trail up to Talcott Mountain State Park and the Heublein Tower (open seasonally). From the tower, continue north on the Metacomet Trail, which then loops east and then south. At the junction with the Blue-Red Talcott Mountain Bypass Trail, turn right on Blue-Red and head south to return toward Reservoir #6. Blue-Red crosses under powerlines and over the gas pipeline. At the top of Reservoir #6, turn left onto the dirt road where the Blue-Red Trail turns toward the west side of the reservoir. In half a mile, arrive back at the parking lot by the water tanks.
This hike can be shortened by skipping the loop around the reservoir and/or by turning back at the Heublein Tower on the Metacomet Trail. If you choose to skip the reservoir loop, start the hike by heading north from the parking lot, then turning left on the Blue-Red Trail, then right on the Metacomet Trail.
GPS track: This is an 8-mile hike with 800 feet of elevation gain that includes a loop around Reservoir #6, followed by a climb to Talcott Mountain State park and the Heublein Tower. http://ridewithgps.com/trips/4757155
Use the Talcott Mountain map along with the Reservoir #6 map for this hike: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Talcott-Mountain-State-Park/Maps
· Safety concerns: None. The roads and trails at the West Hartford Reservoirs and Reservoir #6 are suitable for walking and hiking in all weather conditions.
· Special considerations: The trails by the reservoirs are well used, so expect plenty of company. The area is popular with mountain bikers, so be alert to their presence. It is best to step aside to let them roll by, rather than forcing them to dismount while you walk by.
Honorable Mention
These two areas in Rocky Hill are recommended for their historical features, more than the woods that surround them. They are worth a visit at least once, maybe twice, but unless you live close by, there's probably no reason to visit them more than that.
Dividend Pond Trails and Archaeological District, Rocky Hill (added Feb. 2022)
· Why You Should Go: Dividend Pond is a park where nature has reclaimed what was once an industrial area from the 1600s to the 1800s. The park features the foundation and ruins of assorted manufacturing buildings and mills. The scenic features are the two ponds with the waterfall from Upper Pond to Lower Pond. The adjacent sand pit is the remnants of a natural dam that once formed glacial Lake Hitchcock. The woods roads through the sand pit are not indicated in the map, but they are obvious, leading from the vista by the Yellow Trail to the gate by the golf course.
· Starting Location/Parking: There are two parking areas for Dividend Pond. There is lot for about 15 cars at 8 Old Forge Road, Rocky Hill by the ponds. There is a small parking lot for about 5 cars at the cul-de-sac just past the house at 319 Pleasant Valley Road, Rocky Hill, with the option to park additional cars along the street.
Directions to the Old Forge Road lot: I-91 North, Exit 23, then right on West St. for 1.6 miles. Right on Rt. 99 South for 0.6 miles. Left on Old Forge Rd. for 0.6 miles, then right into the parking lot.
I-91 South, Exit 24, then right on Rt. 99 South for 2.9 miles. Left on Old Forge Rd. for 0.6 miles, then right into the parking lot.
· Map link: https://registrations.rhparkrec.org/documents/brochure_2019.pdf
Park history: http://www.rhhistory.org/dividend-pond.html
Lake Hitchcock dam: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/glacial-lake-hitchcock-sediment-dam
· Trail Descriptions: The park is 68 acres. The town-owned sandpit to the southwest is 61 acres. The southern part of the sandpit is an additional 53 acres and is privately owned. The map orientation is upside down with north facing down. The White Trail along the north side of the property along Pleasant Valley Road is wide and flat. The White Trail on the south side along the sand pit area is narrow single track with some gentle climbs and descents. The total distance is 1.8 miles. The Yellow Trail is a 0.6 mile loop through a pine forest with a moderate climb to the top with a gain of about 60 feet of elevation. June’s Green Trail is a soggy woods road that ends at Dividend Brook where there is no bridge to the other side, which is about 0.1 miles each way.
· Suggested Hike: From the Old Forge Parking area, turn left on the White Trail to hike the property in a clockwise direction. When you reach the Yellow Trail, turn left to hike that loop in a clockwise direction, then return to the White Trail, and cross the footbridge to the north side to complete the loop. The first two tenths of the mile of the “trail” are along the paved section of Pleasant Valley Road, which is open to traffic. This yields a walk of about 2 miles.
· GPS track: None
· Safety concerns: None
· Special considerations: The reason for this hike is the property’s industrial history. Wedged between a residential area and an office park, this is not a pristine wilderness. With its wetlands in the middle, the park has the potential for a substantial mosquito population in warmer weather. Since the hike is short, consider combining this hike with Quarry Park, another small area.
Quarry Park, Rocky Hill (added Feb. 2022)
· Why You Should Go: Quarry Park is the location of a former trap rock quarry with the ruins of the quarry operation visible along the trails. There are two viewpoints along the Blue Trail.
· Starting Location/Parking: 264 Old Main St., Rocky Hill, opposite Marshall Rd. The dirt parking lot has room for 10 cars. The best overflow parking is street parking 0.15 miles north on Sutton Road. The map from 2019 says to park at 19 Old Main St., but the town GIS maps show the nearest property as 262 Old Main St., so 19 Old Main St. is not correct.
· Directions from Dividend Pond: Right on Old Forge Road from the Dividend Pond parking lot, then next left on Dividend Road for 1.1 miles. Right on Rt. 99 North for 0.8 miles. Right on Parsonage Road for 0.2 miles. Left on Old Main St. for 0.4 miles. Right into the parking lot, just past Matheson Road.
· Map link:https://registrations.rhparkrec.org/documents/2019_quarry_trifold_draft_2_color_photo_cover.pdf
Park history (be sure to view the excellent PowerPoint presentation on quarry operation): http://www.rhhistory.org/quarry-park.html
Hike preview with many photos: https://scenesfromthetrail.com/2020/02/16/quarry-park/
· Trail Descriptions: The park is 84 acres. The map shows north as left. The parking lot is one of the highest points at 120 feet of elevation. The Blue Trail loops primarily through the center of the quarry with a short section along the top of the ridge, between the parking lot and Lookout Point. The Yellow and White Trails are along the lower ground parallel to the railroad tracks. The low point is along the White Trail near the north end of the park by the railroad tracks with 30 feet of elevation. The White Trail along the railroad tracks is very soggy with the potential for several inches of standing water.
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