Metacomet Trail Guide
Metacomet Trail at a Glance
The Metcomet Trail is one of Connecticut’s blue blaze trails maintained by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. It runs 62.3 miles from Berlin north to the Massachusetts border in Suffield. It features dramatic views, two of Connecticut’s stone towers, and some of the state’s best hiking.
Fastest Known Time: Dan Grip 12h44m10s on 2020-09-19
Highlights
Overlooks
Waterfalls
Section List
(North to South) Distances may be slightly off due to reroutes.
Metacomet Trail
- Closest parking north of the MA border
- Alcorn Preserve North Terminus – 2.3 miles – (Parking) Great views west along the ridges before descending to marshy areas at the Mass border
- Peak Mountain to West Suffield Mountain – 4.3 miles – (North Parking) (South Parking) Fantastic overlooks and a campsite through two towns
- Camping Area Windsor Locks Primitive Tentsite
- 0.2 mile road walk on Newgate Rd
- Tarrifville Gorge — 4.3 miles — (North Parking) (South Parking) Briefly along the Farmington River before rejoining the ridge and view of Connecticut whitewater
- Bartlett’s Tower — 0.5 miles — (Parking) More ridge line and a more impressive chimney from a former resort
- Wilcox Park — 1.8 miles — (Parking) Ridge line with an old chimney at Cedar Rock
- Penwood State Park – 3.4 miles – (Parking) Quieter section with a fantastic view at Pinnacle overlook
- Talcott Mountain State Park – 2.9 miles – (Parking) Climbing back to the ridge past iconic Heublein Tower to a steep descent
- Reservoir Number #6 – 1.8 miles – (Parking) Flat interlude along the western side of the popular reservoir
- Kilkenney Rock – 4.6 miles – (North Parking) (South Parking) Climbing among utility corridors to the perched erratic with mixed access roads and mountain bike trails along the ridge
- 2 mile mixed trail and road walk on Prattling Pond Rd, Metacomet Rd, and Old Mountain Rd
- Hill-Stead Museum — 0.6 miles — (Parking) Continues the ridge at the eastern edge of the property
- Farmington Reservoir – 0.8 miles – Up and over the ridge above the reservoir and past eagle rock
- Will Warren’s Den – 4.1 miles – (North Parking) (South Parking) Highlights include Pinnacle Rock overlook, Rattlesnake Ledges, Will Warren’s Den, and Hospital Rock
- 1.2 mile road walk over I-84 on Wooster St to Rt. 372
- Sunset Rock State Park — 3.6 miles — (Parking) A winding trail through strict rock features to the Crescent Lake overlook and ridges and then uneventful trail
- 0.8 mile road walk on Andrews St to Long Bottom Rd
- Ragged Mountain — 5.2 miles — (Parking) One of the state’s most popular hikes with a handful of overlooks continuing along to the ridge south of Shuttle Meadow Reservoir
- 0.2 mile road walk on Carey St
- Short Mountain / Timberlin Park — 1.7 miles — (Parking) Rocky climb to northwest views from Short Mountain and a descent to hiker friendly private property
- 1.5 mile road walk on Edgewood Rd
- Hubbard Park / Castle Craig — 5.7 miles — (Parking) Enters the Hanging Hills and climbs to the castle tower on East Peak before turning north
- Blue Hills Conservation Area — 3.4 miles — (Parking) Unassuming start along a seasonal stream and rocky hills
- 2.6 mile road walk from Mattabesett Trail
Coming soon!
