Camp Claire
Campground
Campground · 1.3 mi from the trail
Connecticut · Hiking · Near Middletown
Orange Trail
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 0.6 mi
- one way
- 88 ft
- climb
- 257 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
- Apr–Oct
- best months
Orange Trail is a short, easy hike in Connecticut, about 0.6 miles long and rising from roughly 250 feet to about 260 feet. It starts and ends close to the town of Sterling City, about half a mile away, and makes a quick stop for anyone already exploring the trails in this corner of the state. The trail is a point-to-point route, and the climb is gentle. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.47 miles in, with a grade of about 6 percent. The total elevation gain is 88 feet, and the route is estimated to take about half an hour. 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, while July peaks near 81°F. Balanced Rock Trail lies just 0.1 mile away, and Nayantaquit Trail and Uncas Pond are each about 0.6 mile off. Climbers can find the East Lyme Property about a mile away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close 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 CommonsMaritime museum in Connecticut, USA
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)
More in MiddletownBest time to go · Apr–Oct
Best time to visit Orange 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.
Jan
39° / 24°
11 wet · 3 snow
Feb
41° / 25°
10 wet · 3 snow
Mar
47° / 32°
12 wet · 2 snow
Apr
57° / 41°
12 wet
May
66° / 50°
12 wet
Jun
75° / 59°
10 wet
Jul
81° / 66°
10 wet
Aug
80° / 65°
10 wet
Sep
74° / 58°
10 wet
Oct
63° / 47°
11 wet
Nov
53° / 38°
10 wet
Dec
44° / 30°
12 wet · 2 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Groton, CT, 15.3 mi away at 40 ft. 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)Balanced Rock Trail
Next door
2.36-mile out-and-back hike in Connecticut with 316 ft of elevation gain.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Moore Trail
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Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Casey's Trail
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Photo: oinonio, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Yellow Trail
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Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Witch Hazel Trail
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Photo: oinonio, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Rock Hopper Way
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Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Vista Trail
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Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Millington Trail
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Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Woodcutters Trail
~12 min drive
1.36-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 251 ft gain.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
