Site logo
    • Explore
      • Blue-Blaze Trails
      • Land Trusts
      • State Parks and Forests
      • By Town
    • exploreCT+
      • Membership
      • Shop
      • Events
    • Blog
    • Town Guides
    Sign in or Register
    Listing cover image

    Shenipsit: Lake Bonair

    • Trails
      1 miles
    • Rating
      ★★☆☆☆
    • Address
      111 Grahaber Rd, Tolland, CT, USA
    • Explore
    • Trail Map
    • Reviews 0
    • New Page
    • prev
    • next
    • Bookmark
    • Share
    • Get directions
    • Report
    • prev
    • next
    At A Glance

    Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail

    26 acres in Tolland, CT

    Parking: Shoulder parking near 111 Grahaber Rd, Tolland, CT

    Trail Map        Trails: 1.2 miles      Rating: ★★☆☆☆

    Hiking

    This section of the Shenipsit Trail which I’ve decided to call Lake Bonair was a bit of surprise on my June 2023 thru-hike.  For some reason I’d assumed it was a road walk all the way from Shenipsit Lake to the Shenipsit State Forest, but after a fairly quiet two mile road walk the blue blazes took a turn into the forest next to a telephone pole.

    The entrance was pretty easy to access, the initial trail a bit wet but lined with evergreen, and a bit rutted from ATV/dirtbike use off the utility corridor. From there the trail turned into dense fern forest.  The trail is less traveled but easy enough to follow and gently climbs around Bonair Hill. Private property was just a couple hundred feet away, but I’d never have guessed in the peak foliage at the start of summer.

    I startled a deer and soon crossed the gravel Bonair Hill Road. The next stretch passed through a marshy area, but while the trail was wet it was never enough to worry about soaking your feet.  Lake Bonair came into view through the trees though you only get a few glimpses and the whole eastern side is more marsh than open water.  Once you see the open water the trail turns away for good to meet Rt. 140.  At 1.2 miles or 2.4 round trip this wouldn’t be a bad out and back starting from Grahaber Road since the forest is so nice.  For thru-hiking, busy Rt 140 was a bit daunting with a narrow shoulder, but there was a good gap between cars to easily jog across to Hopkins Road and enter the Shenipsit State Forest.

    Heading south: 2 mile road walk coming from Shenipsit Lake

    Heading north: 0.2 mile road walk to Soapstone Mountain

    History

    The parcel that protects the trail just north of Lake Bonair has been owned by the Town of Tolland since 1995.  Many of the properties off Bonair Hill Rd have conservation easements though it is unknown at this time how permanent they are.

    Links

    CTMQ – Shenipsit Trail: Section 4 (2010)

    Tags
    • ★★☆☆☆
    • 2023
    • Explored
    • Shenipsit Trail
    • Tolland
    • Tolland County
    Last Updated

    The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents. Last updated June 12th, 2023

    Trail Map
    Location
    • 111 Grahaber Rd, Tolland, CT, USA

      Get Directions
    Video
    Categories
    • Hiking
    Gallery
  • No comments yet.
  • Add a review

    Leave a Reply · Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    You May Also Be Interested In

    Spruce Brook Falls

    • ★★★★★
    • 16 miles
    Featured
    FW6F+CW Beacon Falls
    • Quick view
    • Bookmark

    White Oak Preserve

    • Unexplored
    • 0.2 miles
    600 Raymond Hill Rd
    • Quick view
    • Bookmark

    Woodlands Nature Preserve

    • Unexplored
    • 0.5 miles
    99 Beacon Hill Dr
    • Quick view
    • Bookmark

    Hi, I’m Matt.

    I’m building ExploreCT to be the guide for all your outdoor adventures. All the trails, views, and waterways this great state has to offer.

    Now get out and explore!

    Monthly Newsletter

    Each month I share site updates or an interesting article in my newsletter. It’s short, sweet, and practical.

    600+ explorers read it, I’d love for you to join.

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    X-twitter Youtube Envelope Instagram

    Cart

      • Facebook
      • X
      • WhatsApp
      • Telegram
      • LinkedIn
      • Tumblr
      • Reddit
      • VKontakte
      • Mail
      • Copy link
      • Share via...
      • Threads
      • Bluesky