Connecticut · Hiking · Near Middletown

Branch Brook Trail

Branch Brook TrailPhoto: H. Morrow Long, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.8 mi
one way
20 ft
climb
366 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Branch Brook Trail is a short, easy hike in Connecticut, about 0.8 miles long and rising just 20 feet from its low point of 340 feet to a high of 366 feet. It is a point-to-point route, and the steepest stretch comes early on, at about 0.12 miles in, with a grade of 4 percent. The nearest town is Reynolds Bridge, about 0.7 miles away. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Burlington show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, while July averages about 84°F and January highs sit near 36°F. The trail sits close to several other outdoor spots. Mattatuck State Forest Bouldering is about 0.3 miles away and Sunset Boulders about 0.4 miles. The Mattatuck Trail and Jericho Trail are each roughly 0.6 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Hickory

    Campground

    Campground · 2.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Rozzi's Eatery

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rainsPi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Railroad Museum of New England

    Museum

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Middletown
  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Branch Brook 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° / 17°

      10 wet · 4 snow

    2. Feb

      39° / 18°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    3. Mar

      47° / 26°

      10 wet · 2 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 36°

      11 wet

    5. May

      70° / 47°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 57°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 62°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 60°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 53°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 41°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      52° / 32°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 24°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Burlington, CT, 12.8 mi away at 505 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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

Mattatuck Trail

~1 min drive

3.30-mile out-and-back trail in Connecticut with 1,374 ft elevation gain.

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

Jericho Trail

~1 min drive

3.25-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 878 ft gain and 1,052 ft loss.

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

Hancock Brook Trail

~7 min drive

2.58-mile loop trail in Connecticut with 1,391 ft elevation gain.

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

Whitestone Cliffs Trail

~4 min drive

1.36-mile loop with 372 ft elevation gain in Connecticut

HIKE

Blue-Yellow Trail

~11 min drive

8.78-mile point-to-point Connecticut trail through woodland terrain.

Yellow Diamond TrailPhoto: TrevorBrightman, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Yellow Diamond Trail

~14 min drive

2.35-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 485 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Fawn Pond

~11 min drive

Short point-to-point walk to Fawn Pond in Connecticut.

HIKE

Town Hill Road

~5 min drive

0.48-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 47 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Tunxis Trail

~14 min drive

A 45-mile point-to-point Connecticut trail through forests and highlands.

HIKE

Slab Meadow South Loop

~9 min drive

0.70-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 59 ft gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors