Hikes Beyond West Rock: Middlesex County

This cascade into a pool is one of the views along the Seven Falls Loop that makes this such a beautiful hike along the Mattabesett Trail in Haddam and Middletown.

I like to visit a variety of places because get bored by doing the same hike over and over. Some area I have hiked, I never return because I did not find them to be interesting enough to warrant a second visit. These are places I enjoyed enough that I have return 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.

Disclaimer: The information presented here was believed to be accurate at the time it was posted in May 2020. Trails can change over time, including being closed, relocated, and blazed a different color. The website links were checked and working in May 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 Some links were updated at that time because the previous links had been changed and were no longer valid.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:

• Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth
• Chatfield Trail, Killingworth (updated March 2023)
• Incarnation Center, Deep River (added March 2023)
• Mattabesett Trail: Seven Falls Loop, Higganum (Haddam)

Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth

 Why you should go: Chatfield Hollow is a peaceful place to hike with trails that have rolling terrain with good footing, and is a suitable place to hike year-round. Half the property shown on the state map is actually part of Cockaponset State Forest. There is a wedge of private property between the two state parcels in the northern section. There are interesting features including a covered bridge, a water wheel, and a boardwalk. The Indian Caves on the Green Trail near the entrance are a fun rock scramble. With numerous trails, it is easy to customize a hike to many different lengths.

·  Starting Location/Parking: Park at Chatfield Hollow State Park, 381 Route 80, Killingworth. There are two parking areas near Route 80 at Chatfield Hollow, which are the best ones to use for this hike. Car GPS devices and smart phones may have a difficult time with addresses in rural areas with few houses, so your GPS or phone may not bring you to this exact location. There is plenty of parking between the two lots, but because Chatfield Hollow State Park is a popular area, the parking may fill up on a weekend. There is also parking by Schreeder Pond inside the park, which is used for swimming in summer. Entry to the park beyond the front parking lots at certain times of year may have a parking fee for vehicles without Connecticut license plates.

· Directions: From the west,I-95 North, Exit 61 to Rt. 79 North for 5.6 miles, then right on Rt. 80 East for 3.3 miles. The park is on the left. From the east, I-95 South, Exit 63 to Rt. 81 North for 5 miles, then left on Rt. 80 West for 1 mile. The park is on the right. From the north, Rt. 9 South, Exit 9 to Rt. 81 South for 8 miles, then right on Rt. 80 West for 1 mile. The park is on the right. Park in the big gravel lot on the left after entering the park, or the smaller paved lot on the right.

·  Map link: The park map is on the state website for the park: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Chatfield-Hollow-State-Park

·  Trail Descriptions: A paved road with a loop extends nearly the length of the Chatfield Hollow property. This road is closed to traffic in winter and is used as a connector to the various trails. Buck Road, Beckwith Road and Schubert Road are woods roads on the Cockaponset property. Beckwith Road connects to Abner Lane, a dirt road that crosses the northern boundary of Chatfield Hollow. These three roads in combination with the hiking trails can be used to create a loop hike. Most trails are footpaths through a mixed forest and past interesting rock formations. The Green Trail near the front parking lot is a short, enjoyable rock scramble best used safely during dry conditions.

·  Suggested Hike:From the front parking lot, walk up the paved road, then go left on the Green Trail to hike the Indian Caves rock scramble. (Skip this trail in slippery conditions). Left on the paved road, then left on the gravel road leading to the boardwalk. At the end of the boardwalk, cross the paved road to the Orange Trail. For extra mileage, take the Orange-White Trail, or just stay on the Orange Trail. At the end of Orange, turn left on the Blue Trail, and follow that loop back to the park road, crossing the Orange Trail along the way. Cross the paved road to access the Purple Trail, turning left to head north. Near the end of the Purple Trail, turn right on the Red Trail to head south. For a shorter hike (about 5.5 miles), take the Red Trail to the paved road, turn left, and walk back to the entrance. For a longer hike (about 8.5 miles), turn left on the White Trail, heading northeast. At the end of White, turn left on the Blue Trail heading north. At Schubert Road, turn left, and then right to resume the Blue Trail. At the end of Blue, turn left and head south on the White Trail. At the paved road, turn left to head back to the entrance parking lot.

·  GPS track: To be added at a later date 

·  Safety concerns: The Green Trail by the front parking lot could be hazardous in slippery conditions.

·  Special considerations: On the south side of Route 80 is the Blue-Blazed Chatfield Trail. 

 

 

Chatfield Trail, Killingworth

·  Why you should go: The 4.5 mile long Chatfield Trail winds across, through, and around impressive rock formations in a beautiful forest. At the start, there are views of peaceful Forster Pond. At the southern end, the trail parallels the scenic Chatfield Hollow Brook.

·  Starting Location/Parking: Park at Chatfield Hollow State Park, 381 Route 80, Killingworth. There are two parking areas near Route 80 at Chatfield Hollow, which are the best ones to use for this hike. Car GPS devices and smart phones may have a difficult time with addresses in rural areas with few houses, so your GPS or phone may not bring you to this exact location. There is plenty of parking between the two lots, but because Chatfield Hollow State Park is a popular area, the parking may fill up on a popular weekend.

The Chatfield Trail is on the opposite or south side of Route 80 and is marked by a blue oval sign. There is parking for two cars on the south side of Route 80 about 0.2 miles west of the park entrance. 

·  Directions: From the west, I-95 North, Exit 61 to Rt. 79 North for 5.6 miles, then right on Rt. 80 East for 3.3 miles. The park is on the left. From the east, I-95 South, Exit 63 to Rt. 81 North for 5 miles, then left on Rt. 80 West for 1 mile. The park is on the right. From the north, Rt. 9 South, Exit 9 to Rt. 81 South for 8 miles, then right on Rt. 80 West for 1 mile. The park is on the right. Park in the big gravel lot on the left after entering the park, or the smaller paved lot on the right.

·  Map link: A paper copy is printed in the Connecticut Walk Book.

There is no online map for the full trail. A small portion of the northern part of the trail, plus the spur trail out to the two car pull off on Route 80 are visible on the state park map: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Chatfield-Hollow-State-Park

The southern portion of the trail may be seen on the map for Deer Lake Day Camp: https://deerlakedaycamp.org/map.pdf

It can be viewed through the CFPA Interactive Map: https://www.ctwoodlands.org/blue-blazed-hiking-trails/blue-blazed-hiking-trails-interactive-map  

·  Trail Descriptions: The Blue-Blazed Chatfield Trail is 4.5 miles long. The Blue-Orange Chatfield Alternate Trail is 0.7 miles long and can be used to make this a partial loop hike. Both trails traverse rock formations with plenty of climbs and descents and some slippery footing. You can customize your hike length by turning back at any time. If you turn around at Champlin Road (dirt), the hike will be 4.2 miles in length.

·  Suggested Hike: From the state park, carefully cross Route 80 to head south along the Blue-Blazed Chatfield Trail. At 1.75 miles, stay on the Chatfield Trail at the Blue-Orange Chatfield Alternate Trail, which will be on your right. At 2.1 miles, just before Champlin Road (dirt), there is a steep descent on the Chatfield Trail. (In slippery conditions, follow the unblazed gentle slope for a few hundred feet to bypass the steep descent, and turn left at the bottom of the hill to return to the trail.) At 2.55 miles, cross the White Trail and Yellow Trail leading to Deer Lake Day Camp. The Chatfield Trail ends at River Road in 4.5 miles. From here, backtrack on the Chatfield Trail for a total hike of 9 miles.

Alternatively, when Deer Lake Day Camp is not in session, hike through the camp property. At the southern end of the Chatfield Trail, turn left on River Road, then immediate left on Paper Mill Road and follow the road into the Camp Deer Lake property. At the end of the parking lot follow the White Trail or Yellow Trail (which were poorly marked when I hiked it) north for about a mile. At the Chatfield Trail (continue straight from the White Trail or turn right from the Yellow Trail) at mile 6 to continue heading north. In another 0.4 miles, turn right on the Chatfield Alternate Trail (Blue-Orange). (There is a challenging descent from a rock formation near the beginning of the Alternate Trail. Skip the challenge by continuing straight for a few hundred feet, then walking down the moderate slope, and turning right at the bottom to loop back to the trail. There is a wide stream crossing just beyond this point that is most easily crossed to the right of the official crossing.) At the end of the Alternate Trail at mile 7, turn left on the Chatfield Trail to return to Route 80 and the parking area with a total hike of 8 miles.

·  GPS track: This GPS track shows an 8-mile loop with 1,200 feet of elevation gain returning through the Deer Lake Day Camp. Near the end the track diverts off the Chatfield Trail, using an unblazed woods road and an unblazed trail. Those not familiar with the area should stay with the marked trail, so they do not get lost. Remaining on the Chatfield Trail means your hike will be 9 miles long: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/3825763

·  Safety concerns: Due to the rugged terrain, this hike is not recommended during slippery conditions. 

·  Special considerations: The Chatfield Trail crosses the Deer Lake Day Camp and the Blue Trail is open year-round to the public. You cannot hike through the main portion of Deer Lake Day Camp when the camp is in session, which would typically be mid-June to mid-August. Camp website: https://deerlakedaycamp.org/index.php

Forster Pond State Park (sometimes misspelled as “Foster”) is a neglected and undeveloped state park. The testimony at this 2014 hearing before the Connecticut General Assembly details this neglect. The testimony is way down the page, so it’s best to put “Forster Pond” into the search bar of your browser to jump to the details: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2014/pridata/chr/2014PRI00304-R001500-CHR.htm

The DEEP has no information about the park on its website because the state has never given it the money needed to make it a proper state park.

There is an article on pages 10 to 13 in the spring 2014 issue of Connecticut Woodlands that also covers this topic with an essay by the same speaker at the hearing: http://www.ctwoodlands.org/sites/default/files/CTWspring2014.pdf 

 

 

Incarnation Center, Deep River (added March 2023)

• Why You Should Go: This 740-acre camp property owned by the Episcopal Church has trails that loop around Bushy Hill Lake with frequent views of the lake, including a panoramic view from the aptly named Lookout Point. The second loop features a boardwalk through a unique swamp with towering Atlantic white cedar trees. The multiple trails make it easy to create hikes of different lengths. The rolling terrain and good footing makes this an enjoyable place to hike without needing to deal with uncertain footing or steep ciimbs.

• Starting Location/Parking:  The Incarnation Center is located at 253 Bushy Hill Road, Deep River, and is open to the public for hiking from September to May. There are several parking areas along South Incarnation Road, the name of all the paved roads inside the property. The paved parking area just inside the main entrance by the main office has 10 spaces. There is also parking for 10 cars in a dirt lot on the left side of the road by the nature center.

• Directions: From the shoreline: I-95, Exit 64 to Rt. 145 North for 2.6 miles. Right on Cross Rd. for 0.4 miles. Right on West Pond Meadow Rd. for 0.3 miles. Left on Dennison Rd. for 0.7 miles. Left on Lynn Rd. for 1 mile, then straight on Bushy Hill Rd. for 0.1 miles. Right into the Incarnation Center.

From the north: Route 9, Exit 5 to Route 80 West for 2.9 miles. Left on Westbrook Rd. for 0.6 miles. Left on Bushy Hill Rd. for 1.2 miles. Sharp left into the Incarnation Center.

• Map link: https://www.incarnationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/hiking-trails.pdf 

• Trail Descriptions: The trails all have flat to rolling terrain with good footing. The Red Trail along the west side of the lake has lots of tree roots. Some trails have soggy sections. The Blue Trail has a boardwalk through a cedar swamp. Be sure to use the rope railing when walking across this. The trails are generally well marked, although finding some of the trail connections off the roads is tricky, particularly locating the Purple Trail and the Blue Trail west of the paved road.

• Suggested Hike: This 7.7 mile hike has a mild 900 feet of elevation gain. From the main office, walk north up the road and turn left at mile 0.15 to cross the field by the activity center to pick up the Purple Trail and turn right to head north. At mile 1.5, turn left on the Red Trail at the north end of the lake. At mile 1.6, turn left on the paved road and immediate right on the Yellow Trail by the basketball courts to head south. At mile 2.8, the Yellow Trail merges with the Red Trail and descends a dirt staircase with logs to the dam.

After crossing the dam, turn right at mile 2.9 on the Red Trail (which merges with the Blue Trail) to follow the western shoreline of the lake. Continue north on the Red Trail at mile 3.4 where the Blue Trail turns left and heads south to the road. At the north end of the lake at mile 4.2, follow the Red Trail as it heads south along the eastern side of the lake. Enjoy the view from Lookout Point at mile 4.8. Descend the staircase to the dam at second time at mile 5.3. At the end of the dam at mile 5.4, turn left on the Blue Trail along a gravel road, then at mile 5.5 by the gate to Brooks Lake, turn right on the Blue Trail where it becomes a footpath and follow it to the boardwalk through the Cedar Swamp. At the end of the boardwalk, turn left on the Blue Trail at mile 5.9.

Turn right on the Blue Trail along the paved road at mile 6.0, and at the end of the gravel road by the farm at mile 6.3, the Blue Trail continues along the left side of the fence. At the lake, turn right on the Blue and Red Trail at mile 6.6 and head south. At the Lakeside Building at mile 6.9, climb up the wooden steps. Turn left at mile 7.0 at the top of the steps near the basketball court and follow the paved road south. At mile 7.2, turn right on the Yellow Trail after crossing a second paved road (or just stay on the paved road). At the end of the Yellow Trail, turn left on the paved road, returning to the parking lot by the office at mile 7.7.

• For a 3.4-mile hike: After the crossing the dam, at mile 2.9, turn right on the Yellow Trail and almost immediately left to stay on Yellow, which soon parallels the paved road. At mile 3.3 turn left on the paved road to return to the parking by the main office.

• For a 6.0-mile hike: At mile 6.0, when the Blue Trail reaches the road, turn left to to return to the parking by the main office.

• GPS track: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/10722587118

There are three minor variations from the suggested hike. These happened because I was unfamiliar with the property when I did this hike and was unsure about these sections. I took the Red Trail along the north end of the lake, instead of staying on Purple at mile 1.35 and Purple instead of Red at mile 4.20. I also used the paved road, instead of the parallel Yellow Trail at mile 7.20. The track also shows an out and back on Berry-Berry Island at mile 3.6 that is optional. I turned around before the end because the lake level was high and part of the trail on the island was underwater.

• Safety concerns: There are soggy sections in places, which use wooden pallets to cross them. When I hiked the area in March 2023, many of the pallets had cracked boards, which made them tricky and potentially dangerous to walk across. The Red Trail along the west side of Bushy Hill Lake is only feet from the lake and could be difficult to hike in icy conditions.

• Special considerations: The property is open to the public for hiking from September to May because it is used as a summer camp from June to August. During the year, groups may be using the buildings for retreats, so keep voices low around the cottages near the paved road.

Mattabesett Trail: Seven Falls Loop, Higganum (Haddam)

·  This hike is listed on the page Hikes Beyond West Rock: Mattabesett Trail: https://westrocktrails.blogspot.com/p/hikes-beyond-west-rock-mattabesett-trail.html