Camp Merrie-Wood
Campground
Campground · 1.0 mi from the trail
Connecticut · Hiking · Near Middletown
Birch Mountain Trail
- 0.9 mi
- one way
- 184 ft
- climb
- 792 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
- Apr, Jun–Oct
- best months
Birch Mountain Trail is a short, point-to-point hike in Connecticut, about 0.86 miles long, with a high point of 792 feet and a low of 642 feet. The nearest town is Highland Park, about 1.3 miles away. The trail is a modest climb, with a total gain of 184 feet and a loss of 282 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.29 miles in, with a 10% grade. The route is best suited to a quick outing, and the trip is estimated to take about half an hour. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Storrs show July highs around 80°F and September highs near 73°F, with lows in the 50s and 60s. The trail sits close to other outdoor spots. Carriage Path and Gollum's Playground are each about 0.2 miles away, and Highland Trail is about 0.3 miles off. For an overnight stay, John and Frederica Johnson Memorial Camp is about 3.5 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Hungry Tiger
Bar
On your way back · 2 mi
If it rainsSaraherib, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsLutz Children's Museum
Museum
On your way back · 2 miChildren's museum in Connecticut, United States
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Saraherib, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)
More in MiddletownBest time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct
Best time to visit Birch Mountain Trail
Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
35° / 19°
10 wet
Feb
37° / 20°
9 wet
Mar
45° / 28°
10 wet
Apr
57° / 38°
11 wet
May
68° / 48°
13 wet
Jun
76° / 57°
11 wet
Jul
80° / 63°
10 wet
Aug
79° / 61°
9 wet
Sep
73° / 54°
9 wet
Oct
61° / 43°
10 wet
Nov
50° / 34°
9 wet
Dec
40° / 25°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Storrs, CT, 13.5 mi away at 665 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: AndyS_Photography, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Pond Loop Trail
~4 min drive
Pond Loop Trail is a 2.43-mile loop in Connecticut.
HIKE
Hockanum River Linear Park
~8 min drive
A 19.37-mile riverside point-to-point trail following the Hockanum River.
Photo: Morrowlong, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Gay City Trail
~4 min drive
Easy woodland point-to-point trail through central Connecticut forest.
Photo: jjbers, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Kemph Trail
~5 min drive
0.34-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 83 ft of elevation gain
Photo: AndyS_Photography, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Outer Loop Trail
~5 min drive
A 4.43-mile point-to-point Connecticut trail with moderate terrain.
Photo: Morrowlong, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Connector Trail
~5 min drive
0.78-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 104 ft gain and 167 ft loss.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Rose Trail
~6 min drive
1.28-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 134 ft gain and 307 ft loss.
Photo: Morrowlong, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Gay City/Blackledge Falls Connector
~6 min drive
2.38-mile out-and-back trail in Connecticut with 635 ft elevation gain
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Clark Trail
~6 min drive
0.89-mile loop trail in Connecticut with 174 ft gain and 411 ft loss.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Bobcat Woods Trail
~6 min drive
1.20-mile loop in Connecticut with 141 ft gain.
Route details
- Distance
- 0.9 mi
- Climbing
- About 184 ft
- Summit
- 792 ft
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- About 0.5 hours
Other routes up Birch Mountain
Questions about this route
How long is the Birch Mountain Trail on Birch Mountain?
About 0.9 mi.
How much elevation gain is on the Birch Mountain Trail?
About 184 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Birch Mountain Trail?
It is rated easy.
How long does the Birch Mountain Trail take?
About 0.5 hours round trip.
How many routes go up Birch Mountain?
2: Birch Mountain Trail and Lookout Mountain Trail.
Conditions and forecast on Birch Mountain
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
