Metacomet

Hike the Metacomet Trail

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

• https://fastestknowntime.com/route/metacomet-trail-ct

Section List

• 2.6 mile road walk from Mattabesett Trail
• Blue Hills Conservation Area — 3.4 miles — (Parking) Unassuming start along a seasonal stream and rocky hills
• Hubbard Park / Castle Craig — 5.7 miles — (Parking) Enters the Hanging Hills and climbs to the castle tower on East Peak before turning north
• 1.5 mile road walk on Edgewood Rd
• Short Mountain / Timberlin Park — 1.7 miles — (Parking) Rocky climb to northwest views from Short Mountain and a descent to hiker friendly private property
• 0.2 mile road walk on Carey St
• 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
• 0.8 mile road walk on Andrews St to Long Bottom Rd
• 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
• 1.2 mile road walk over I-84 on Wooster St to Rt. 372
• 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
• Farmington Reservoir – 0.8 miles – Up and over the ridge above the reservoir and past eagle rock
• Hill-Stead Museum — 0.6 miles — (Parking) Continues the ridge at the eastern edge of the property
• 2 mile mixed trail and road walk on Prattling Pond Rd, Metacomet Rd, and Old Mountain Rd
• 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
• Reservoir Number #6 – 1.8 miles – (Parking) Flat interlude along the western side of the popular reservoir
• Talcott Mountain State Park – 2.9 miles – (Parking) Climbing back to the ridge past iconic Heublein Tower to a steep descent
• Penwood State Park – 3.4 miles – (Parking) Quieter section with a fantastic view at Pinnacle overlook
• Wilcox Park — 1.8 miles — (Parking) Ridge line with an old chimney at Cedar Rock
• Bartlett’s Tower — 0.5 miles — (Parking) More ridge line and a more impressive chimney from a former resort
• 0.6 mile road walk on Rt. 189
• Tarrifville Gorge — 4.3 miles — (North Parking) (South Parking) Briefly along the Farmington River before rejoining the ridge and view of Connecticut whitewater
• 0.2 mile road walk on Newgate Rd
• 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
• Alcorn Preserve North Terminus – 2.3 miles – (Parking) Great views west along the ridges before descending to marshy areas at the Mass border
• Closest parking north of the MA border

Links

• CFPA Metacomet Official Link
• New England Trail Official Link
• New England Trail Official ExploreCT
• CTMQ – Metacomet Trail Intro