Connecticut · Hiking

South Loop

1.1 mi
loop
43 ft
climb
302 ft
high point
Loop
route
Apr–Oct
best months

South Loop is an easy, short hike in Connecticut's Fountain Lake area, set on city-managed land about a mile from the town of Ansonia. The route is roughly 1.1 miles long and gains about 43 feet in elevation, so it's a gentle walk that fits easily into a day spent exploring the park. The path starts at about 261 feet and reaches a high point of 302 feet, with the steepest stretch at just under 0.1 mile from the start, where the grade reaches about 7 percent. The climb is so slight that it passes almost unnoticed, making this a natural addition to other walks in the area. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring through early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ansonia show highs around 69°F in May and 75°F in September, with July and August peaking near 82°F. That station sits about 166 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up high run a little cooler. Lake Loop lies just 0.1 mile away and North Loop about 0.3 mile off, making it simple to combine routes. Beach Cutoff Trail and Tahmore Trail are each about 1.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit South Loop

    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

      36° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 19°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      47° / 27°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 37°

      10 wet

    5. May

      69° / 47°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 58°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 63°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 62°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 54°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 41°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      52° / 32°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 23°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ansonia 1 Ne, CT, 0.6 mi away at 136 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