Connecticut · Hiking · Near Middletown

Nature Trail

Nature TrailPhoto: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.8 mi
one way
216 ft
climb
389 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Nature Trail is a short, easy hike in Connecticut, about 0.8 miles long and rising from roughly 238 feet to 389 feet. It is a point-to-point route, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.47 miles in, where the grade reaches 13 percent. The nearest town is Mount Carmel, about half a mile away. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Mount Carmel show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 76°F, with July the warmest month at about 85°F. The trail sits close to several other outings. Tower Trail is just 0.1 mile away, and the climbing areas of The Neck and The Chin are each about 0.2 mile off. Judge Cook's Oxen Trail is about 0.3 mile away.

Around this trail

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

    YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel

    Campground

    Campground · 3.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Bobcat Den

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rainsMConradWard, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Meriden Historical Society Museum & History Center

    Museum

    On your way back · 9 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: MConradWard, CC0 (commons)

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

    Best time to visit Nature 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

      38° / 20°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      41° / 22°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 28°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      60° / 38°

      12 wet

    5. May

      71° / 48°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 58°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 64°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 62°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 55°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 43°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      52° / 34°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 26°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Carmel, CT, 1.1 mi away at 180 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors