Connecticut · Hiking

Rainbow Reservoir Trail

1.1 mi
one way
49 ft
climb
154 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Rainbow Reservoir Trail is a short, easy hike in Connecticut, about a mile from the village of Rainbow. The route is a point-to-point walk of roughly 1.1 miles, with a low point of about 100 feet and a high of about 154 feet. The climb is gentle, with a total elevation gain of about 50 feet, and the steepest stretch comes early on, at about 7% grade. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Hartford show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 76°F, with July peaking near 85°F. Brookside Trail lies just 0.4 miles away, and the Michael F. Gragnolati Conservation Trail is about 3.5 miles off. Paddlers can head to Stony Brook, about 3.9 miles away, and climbers will find Crown Jewel roughly 7.5 miles from the trail.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Rainbow Reservoir 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

      35° / 19°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      39° / 21°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      47° / 28°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      60° / 38°

      12 wet

    5. May

      72° / 48°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 58°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 63°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 62°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 54°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 42°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 33°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 25°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Hartford Bradley Intl Ap, CT, 2.4 mi away at 190 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