Connecticut · Hiking

Red Trail

Red TrailPhoto: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.2 mi
loop
65 ft
climb
498 ft
high point
Loop
route

Red Trail is an easy hike in Connecticut, about 1.2 miles long with a total elevation gain of 65 feet. The route begins near Mount Carmel, about 1.7 miles away, and climbs to a high point of 498 feet before descending slightly to a low of 363 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 1 mile in, where the grade reaches 7 percent. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall stand out. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Mount Carmel show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 76°F, while July peaks near 85°F and January highs sit near 38°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The hike takes about half an hour. High Rock Jumble and the Sanford Feeder are both within a mile, and Hermit Boulders is a little farther at 0.6 miles. For a longer outing, Hop Brook Lake Recreation Area is under 10 miles away.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Tower TrailPhoto: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Tower Trail

~3 min drive

Tower Trail is a 1.53-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 606 ft gain.

Quinnipiac TrailPhoto: Aldon, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Quinnipiac Trail

~7 min drive

A 19.6-mile point-to-point trail following Connecticut's Quinnipiac River valley.

Regicides TrailPhoto: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Regicides Trail

~9 min drive

Historic 6.85-mile point-to-point trail through Connecticut woodland.

Nature TrailPhoto: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Nature Trail

~3 min drive

0.79-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 336 ft gain.

Dickerman Carriage RoadPhoto: ethan.long, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Dickerman Carriage Road

~5 min drive

Short point-to-point woodland walk on a historic carriage road.

Cabin TrailPhoto: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cabin Trail

~5 min drive

Cabin Trail is a 0.38-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut.

Sanford Alternate TrailPhoto: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sanford Alternate Trail

~5 min drive

1.62-mile out-and-back trail in Connecticut with 549 ft of elevation gain.

North Summit TrailPhoto: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Summit Trail

~5 min drive

0.78-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 252 ft gain.

NEMBA TrailPhoto: katerina_simons, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

NEMBA Trail

~6 min drive

1.59-mile out-and-back trail in Connecticut with 141 ft gain.

Purple TrailPhoto: katerina_simons, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Purple Trail

~6 min drive

1.05-mile point-to-point trail in Connecticut with 206 ft gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors