Connecticut · Hiking · Near Middletown

Nayantaquit Trail

3.3 mi
loop
546 ft
climb
444 ft
high point
Loop
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Nayantaquit Trail is a 3.3-mile hike in Connecticut, about a mile from Sterling City. It is an easy route with a total elevation gain of 546 feet, and the climb is steepest at about 2.7 miles in, where the grade reaches 28 percent. The trail starts at roughly 397 feet and reaches a high point of 444 feet before descending to a low of 115 feet. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Groton show May highs around 66°F and September highs around 74°F, with July the warmest month at about 81°F. That station sits about 400 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the route run a little cooler. The trail links up with other routes close by. Uncas Pond and Crossover Trail both start within a tenth of a mile, and Balanced Rock Trail is about half a mile away. Climbers can find the East Lyme Property about half a mile off.

Around this trail

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

    Camp Claire

    Campground

    Campground · 1.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Abby's Place

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 4 mi
  • If it rainsJERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Connecticut River Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 4 mi

    Maritime museum in Connecticut, USA

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

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

    Best time to visit Nayantaquit 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

      39° / 24°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    2. Feb

      41° / 25°

      10 wet · 3 snow

    3. Mar

      47° / 32°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    4. Apr

      57° / 41°

      12 wet

    5. May

      66° / 50°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 59°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 66°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 65°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 58°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 47°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 38°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 30°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Groton, CT, 14.9 mi away at 40 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Route details

Distance
3.3 mi
Climbing
About 546 ft
Summit
450 ft
Difficulty
Easy
Time
About 1.5 hours

Questions about this route

How long is the Nayantaquit Trail on Nickerson Hill?

About 3.3 mi.

How much elevation gain is on the Nayantaquit Trail?

About 546 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Nayantaquit Trail?

It is rated easy.

How long does the Nayantaquit Trail take?

About 1.5 hours round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Nickerson Hill

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors