Purple Trail
Photo: katerina_simons, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- 1.1 mi
- one way
- 161 ft
- climb
- 566 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
The Purple Trail is a short, easy hike in Connecticut, about a mile long and rising roughly 160 feet from its starting point. It is a point-to-point route, and the climb is gentle enough to fit into a longer outing in the area. The nearest town is Paynes Corners, about 1.8 miles away. The trail starts at an elevation of about 490 feet and reaches a high point of about 566 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.6 miles in, with a grade of about 41 percent. The route also has a total descent of about 296 feet, so it works well as part of a loop with other trails nearby. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Mt Carmel show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 76°F, while July averages about 85°F. Several other trails and climbing areas sit within a short distance. The NEMBA Trail and North Summit Trail are each about 0.3 miles away, and Kyle's Slabs is a climbing area about 0.3 miles off. West Rock Park Road is about 0.6 miles away.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: katerina_simons, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)NEMBA Trail
Next door
1.59-mile out-and-back trail in Connecticut with 141 ft gain.
Photo: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Regicides Trail
~4 min drive
Historic 6.85-mile point-to-point trail through Connecticut woodland.
Photo: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)West Rock Park Trail
~5 min drive
16.15-mile out-and-back hike in Connecticut with 1,327 ft gain.
North Summit Trail
Next door
0.78-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 252 ft gain.
Photo: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)West Rock Trail
~4 min drive
6.45-mile out-and-back hike in Connecticut with 721 ft elevation gain.
Photo: katerina_simons, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)West Rock Park Road
~1 min drive
0.43-mile out-and-back trail in West Rock Park, Connecticut
Blue-Yellow Trail
~2 min drive
1.87-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 200 ft gain.
Photo: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Unblazed
~2 min drive
0.98-mile out-and-back trail in Connecticut with 173 ft elevation gain.
Cabin Trail
~4 min drive
Cabin Trail is a 0.38-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut.
Old Oak Nature Trail Loop
~4 min drive
Short point-to-point nature trail through Connecticut woodland.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors