Connecticut · Hiking

Songbird Trail

0.7 mi
one way
45 ft
climb
1,224 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Jul–Oct
best months

Songbird Trail is a short, easy hike in Connecticut, about 1.8 miles from the town of Litchfield. The trail is a point-to-point route of roughly 0.74 miles, with a low point of 1,161 feet and a high of 1,224 feet. The climb is flat overall, with a total gain of 45 feet and a total loss of 86 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.67 miles in, with a grade of about 6 percent. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bakersville run to highs around 69°F in May and 72°F in September, while July highs average about 82°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The trail makes an easy addition to a longer outing. The Yellow Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Red Trail is about 0.2 mile off. The Edith M. Chase Ecology Trail lies about half a mile away. Paddlers can reach the Bantam River about 3.3 miles from the trail.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Oct

    Best time to visit Songbird Trail

    Best months: July–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

      33° / 15°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 16°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 23°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 33°

      13 wet

    5. May

      69° / 44°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 53°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 58°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 56°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 49°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      60° / 38°

      12 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 29°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bakersville, CT, 10.3 mi away at 686 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Route details

Distance
0.7 mi
Climbing
About 45 ft
Summit
1,226 ft
Difficulty
Easy
Time
About 0.5 hours

Other routes up Jefferson Hill

Questions about this route

How long is the Songbird Trail on Jefferson Hill?

About 0.7 mi.

How much elevation gain is on the Songbird Trail?

About 45 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Songbird Trail?

It is rated easy.

How long does the Songbird Trail take?

About 0.5 hours round trip.

How many routes go up Jefferson Hill?

4: Red Trail, Bernard Stairs Trail, Songbird Trail and Edith M. Chase Ecology Trail.

Conditions and forecast on Jefferson 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