Connecticut · Hiking · Near Middletown

Hancock Brook Trail

Hancock Brook TrailPhoto: H. Morrow Long, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
2.6 mi
loop
413 ft
climb
650 ft
high point
Loop
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Hancock Brook Trail is a 2.6-mile moderate hike in Connecticut, about half a mile from the town of Waterville. The trail rises from a low point of 326 feet to a high of 650 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 2.1 miles in, where the grade reaches 15 percent. The climb totals 413 feet of elevation gain. 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. Whitestone Cliffs Trail and the Jericho Cliff (Junkyard) climbing area both lie about 1.5 miles away. Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area, roughly 6 miles off, offers camping, and the Naugatuck River, about 7 miles away, is a paddling option.

Around this trail

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

    Camp Mattatuck

    Campground

    Campground · 2.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Popeyes

    Fast food

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rainsJllm06, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Mattatuck Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Jllm06, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

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

    Best time to visit Hancock 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, 14.9 mi away at 505 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors