Deer Lake Camp
Campground
Campground · 1.6 mi from the trail
Connecticut · Hiking · Near Middletown
Nature Trail
- 0.4 mi
- one way
- 98 ft
- climb
- 277 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
- Apr, Jun–Oct
- best months
Nature Trail is a short, easy hike in Connecticut, about 0.37 miles long and rising about 98 feet from start to finish. It is a point-to-point route, and the climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.31 miles in, where the grade reaches 12 percent. The trail starts at roughly 188 feet and peaks at about 277 feet before descending to around 148 feet at the end. The nearest town is Killingworth, about 1.4 miles away. The trail is also horse-friendly, as the route is marked for horses. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Meriden run to highs around 70°F in May and 75°F in September, with July the warmest month at about 84°F. Several other trails sit within a short distance, including Deep Woods Trail, Ridge Trail and Chimney Trail, each about 0.2 miles away. Climbers can find Broken Bridge and Chatfield Hollow Main Wall about 0.4 miles off.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Shipwreck Tavern
Pub
On your way back · 1 mi
If it rainsJoe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsDavison Art Center
Gallery
In townUniversity art museum in Middletown, Connecticut
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)
More in MiddletownBest time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct
Best time to visit Nature 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
37° / 19°
10 wet
Feb
39° / 20°
9 wet
Mar
47° / 28°
10 wet
Apr
60° / 38°
11 wet
May
70° / 48°
13 wet
Jun
79° / 57°
12 wet
Jul
84° / 63°
12 wet
Aug
82° / 61°
12 wet
Sep
75° / 54°
11 wet
Oct
64° / 42°
12 wet
Nov
52° / 32°
10 wet
Dec
42° / 24°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Meriden Markham Muni Ap, CT, 15.8 mi away at 103 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Fat Man's Squeeze
~3 min drive
0.09-mile loop with 22 ft gain in Connecticut
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)White Trail
~3 min drive
6.07-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 853 ft gain.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Bailey Trial North
~3 min drive
Short point-to-point woodland trail in Connecticut.
HIKE
Cockaponset Trail
~7 min drive
Cockaponset Trail is a 7.01-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 763 ft gain.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Shepherds Trail
~3 min drive
0.84-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 221 ft gain.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Chatfield Trail
~3 min drive
Chatfield Trail is a 4.28-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 660 ft of elevation gain.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Bailey Trial South
~4 min drive
A 2-mile point-to-point Connecticut trail perfect for a quick outdoor walk.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Lower Hammonasset Trail
~4 min drive
Easy point-to-point trail through Connecticut coastal wetlands and river habitat.
HIKE
Deep Woods Trail
Next door
1.72-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 366 ft gain.
HIKE
Ridge Trail
Next door
A scenic point-to-point ridge hike in Connecticut with accessible terrain.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
