Connecticut · Hiking

Birchbank Trail

Birchbank TrailPhoto: Csouthard, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.6 mi
one way
251 ft
climb
302 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Birchbank Trail is an easy hike of about 1.6 miles on the Housatonic River Greenway in Connecticut, a short outing that fits into a day of exploring the network of trails around it. The trail climbs to about 302 feet before descending to a lower point of 35 feet, with a total gain of 251 feet and a loss of 533 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.1 miles, where the grade reaches 33%, and it is a point-to-point route rather than a loop. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ansonia show May highs around 69°F and September highs around 75°F, with July and August warming to about 82°F. Several other trails lie about a mile away, including the White Trail, the Green-Yellow Trail and French's Hill Trail. Climbers can head to Webb Mountain Park, about 2 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Birchbank Trail

    Best months: April–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.

    1. Jan

      36° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 19°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      47° / 27°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 37°

      10 wet

    5. May

      69° / 47°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 58°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 63°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 62°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 54°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 41°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      52° / 32°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 23°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ansonia 1 Ne, CT, 2.9 mi away at 136 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

White TrailPhoto: ToolManTimTaylor, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

White Trail

~2 min drive

0.39-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 79 ft gain and 343 ft loss.

Zoar TrailPhoto: H. Morrow Long, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Zoar Trail

~9 min drive

6.33-mile loop trail in Connecticut with 1,849 ft of elevation gain.

Green-Yellow TrailPhoto: ToolManTimTaylor, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Green-Yellow Trail

~2 min drive

Easy 1-mile point-to-point woodland trail in Connecticut.

HIKE

Paugussett Trail

~4 min drive

12-mile point-to-point ridge walk through Connecticut's western woodlands.

Blue-Yellow TrailPhoto: razed_sublime357, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Blue-Yellow Trail

~2 min drive

0.37-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 75 ft gain.

Blue TrailPhoto: razed_sublime357, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Blue Trail

~2 min drive

A 2.15-mile point-to-point Connecticut trail perfect for a short hike.

White TrailPhoto: razed_sublime357, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

White Trail

~2 min drive

White Trail is a 0.89-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 8 ft gain and 328 ft loss.

White-Yellow TrailPhoto: Csouthard, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

White-Yellow Trail

~2 min drive

A short point-to-point woodland hike through Connecticut forest.

North LoopPhoto: Csouthard, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Loop

~4 min drive

0.67-mile loop in Connecticut with 128 ft gain.

Turkey Trot TrailPhoto: razed_sublime357, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Turkey Trot Trail

~6 min drive

2.02-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 340 ft gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors