Seven Falls
in Middletown and Haddam, CT
Parking: Shoulder parking near 1 Saybrook Rd, Higganum, CT
Trail Map Trails: 2.5 miles Rating: ★★★☆☆
Seven Falls is state-owned property, but it isn’t an official state park. It comes closer to their ‘water access’ designation and signage at the park calls it a ‘picnic area’.
Just off the road is the good-sized picnic area next to Bible Rock Brook. The area looks like it floods pretty often which steals some of its scenic beauty. Despite recent rains and a rushing brook, the falls were underwhelming too. A creative counting of the drops does add up to seven, though none are more than a couple of feet. In aggregate it’s still a peaceful spot.
Hiking
The trails start on the other side of the bridge along Rt 154 and fork as they head into the woods. The blue blaze Mattabesett Trail heads off to the right and the yellow Seven Falls Loop to the left. This section of the Mattabesett is surprisingly great. It has been rerouted recently due to an expansion of the utility corridor but the trail selection is well done.
From the shaded section along the brook, the CFPA could have taken a direct shot just to get across the powerlines as quickly as possible. Instead, they worked interesting rock features and ledges to navigate through the corridor. It is well marked and has a scramble or two. Beyond the powerlines, you reenter the woods and wind through more ledges and mountain laurel. After about a mile the trail splits to the yellow-blazed Seven Falls Loop. I continued a bit further along the Mattabesett crossing Freeman Rd and Rt 410 with not much to note before turning around.
The return trip on the yellow blaze is much wetter. There are several interesting water features that could be added to the seven falls. There are also a couple of marshy sections before returning to the utility corridor.
There are also a number of climbing and bouldering opportunities that can be explored at the link below
History:
Links:
- CTMQ – Mattabesett Trail: Section 8 (2008)
- New England Waterfalls – Seven Falls
- Mountain Project – Seven Falls Bouldering Climbing
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Last updated May 6, 2019
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