5 GREAT HIKES IN HARTFORD COUNTY
Hartford County has some of the most populated urban areas in Connecticut. Despite this, the region still has an abundance of outdoor destinations to explore.
Here are 5 great hikes in Hartford County.
RATTLESNAKE MOUNTAIN
Farmington, Connecticut
ABOUT THE HIKE
This beautiful section of the New England Trail in Farmington is one of my favorite hikes along the 62-mile Metacomet Trail. From the trailhead off busy US Highway 6, it’s a moderately challenging hike through the woods to an impressive vista. Along the way, the path passes a pair of 1,700-foot-tall radio towers.
About 0.1 miles before the overlook is a collection of large boulders known as Will Warren's Den. A bronze plaque marks the location that legend claims was the cave where a 17th-century man once resided. Historians are unsure how much of the Will Warren story is true, if any at all, but the tale states that he was driven out of town for refusing to attend church and for stealing the sheep of local farmers.
Continue south down the trail to reach Pinnacle Rock, which offers a panoramic view from the remains of a Cold War Nike Missile site.
DISTANCE: 2.5 miles
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate
PARKING
Parking is available in a small lot on Colt Highway in Farmington.
RAGGED MOUNTAIN
Berlin, Connecticut
ABOUT THE HIKE
Ragged Mountain is a popular hiking destination in Southington and Berlin, Connecticut. From the main trailhead in Berlin, follow the leftmost trail to reach the traprock ridge and enjoy stunning views of Hart Pond and the Hanging Hills.
There are many trails on the property, but the longest loop is around 5.5 miles.
DISTANCE: 2.2 - 8.7 miles
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate
PARKING
There are many access points to the trails at Ragged Mountain, but the main trailhead is accessible from a lot and street parking near 437 West Lane Berlin.
TALCOTT MOUNTAIN
Simsbury, Connecticut
ABOUT THE HIKE
The Heublein Tower is the focal point of Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury and is only accessible to visitors on foot. A steep half-mile hike leads to the scenic ridgeline on the Metacomet Trail. It’s another half mile to reach the base of the tower.
At 165 feet and six stories tall, the Heublein Tower is awe-inspiring. The tower's namesakes, the Heublein family, immigrated from Bavaria to Connecticut in 1856. The patriarch, Andrew Heublein, began a restaurant and hotel business, and the family quickly became prominent members of the social elite. In 1895, their company began manufacturing A-1 Steak Sauce and later expanded to pre-mixed cocktails when Andrew's sons took over the family business.
Heublein Tower was created after Gilbert Heublein promised his fiancée a "castle on the mountain" when they were hiking in the area. The impressive 165-foot-tall building was constructed in 1914 to withstand 100 MPH winds.
Visitors to Talcott Mountain today can explore the six-story tower and take in a 360 degree view from the observation level. It's open to the public Friday – Monday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
DISTANCE: 2.7 miles
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate / Difficult
PARKING
The most convenient parking for the Heublein Tower trail is the lot on Summit Ridge Drive in Simsbury.
MCLEAN GAME REFUGE
Granby, Simsbury and Caton Connecticut
ABOUT THE HIKE
Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1932 by the will of Senator George P. McLean, McLean Game Refuge has 4,400 acres of tranquil land. Over 20 miles of hiking trails wind through meadows, forests, and past numerous brooks and ponds.
Two wooden cabins predating the preserve are popular highlights for visitors. While they are not open to the public, you can peek through the windows to see the cabins as they might have looked when in use by Senator George P. McLean.
Take the trailhead at the intersection of Barndoor Hill Road and Kettle Pond Lane, and climb to the summit of East Barndoor Hill for a spectacular westward view.
DISTANCE: 1.2 - 5.0 miles
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy / Moderate
PARKING
There are multiple small lots to access the trails at the McLean Game Refuge: 109 Salmon Brook Street, 128R Canton Road, 150 Barndoor Hills Road, 298 Barndoor Hills Road in Granby and 546 Firetown Road in Simsbury.
CASE MOUNTAIN / LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
Manchester, Connecticut
ABOUT THE HIKE
Now a popular destination for hiking and mountain biking, Case Mountain Recreation Area was once the site of a thriving 19th-century paper mill. Twin brothers Alfred Wells Case and Albert Willard Case built their mansions near their business and developed the land around it.
Visitors to Case Mountain today can explore the vestiges of the brothers’ property by walking along the old carriage path and crossing the iconic stone bridge over Birch Mountain Brook. Just up the trail is an old staircase that once led to a tennis court.
The park offers a wide network of trails, but the most popular trail leads to Lookout Mountain. From one of the trailheads on Spring Street, climb up the moderately steep hill until you reach a clearing. On the most direct route, it’s just under half a mile to the top.
Multiple benches at the summit of Lookout Mountain make this the perfect place to watch the sunset and take in an amazing view of the Hartford city skyline.
DISTANCE: 1.6 - 2.8 miles
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate
PARKING
There is a small lot and street parking near the historic stone bridge and trailhead to the old carriage road at 672 Spring Street in Manchester.
