Steep Rock Loop
- 3.9 mi
- loop
- 363 ft
- climb
- 773 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Apr, Jun–Oct
- best months
Steep Rock Loop is a 3.9-mile hike in Connecticut, about 1.8 miles from the town of Washington. It is an easy route with a total elevation gain of 363 feet, and it starts at a high point of about 773 feet, which makes it a natural anchor for a day of exploring the cluster of loops that sit close together in this corner of the state. The climb is not steep overall, but the first 0.15 miles of the route reach a grade of about 57%, so the beginning is the most challenging part. The rest of the hike is gentler, and the trail ends at a low point of about 402 feet. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Danbury show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 75°F, with September also seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Several other loops lie within a short distance. Shinar Trail is just 0.1 mile away, and Clamshell Loop and Pinney Loop are each about half a mile off. For time on the water, the Shepaug River is about 6 miles away.
Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct
Best time to visit Steep Rock Loop
Best months: April and June–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.
Jan
36° / 21°
12 wet · 8 snow
Feb
39° / 22°
11 wet · 6 snow
Mar
48° / 29°
13 wet · 5 snow
Apr
61° / 39°
12 wet · 1 snow
May
72° / 49°
13 wet
Jun
80° / 59°
12 wet
Jul
85° / 64°
11 wet
Aug
82° / 63°
10 wet
Sep
75° / 55°
9 wet
Oct
62° / 43°
10 wet
Nov
50° / 34°
10 wet · 2 snow
Dec
40° / 26°
12 wet · 5 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Danbury, CT, 15.3 mi away at 405 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Pedro Xing, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Clamshell Loop
Next door
2.11-mile loop trail in Connecticut with 582 ft gain.
Photo: -= Bruce Berrien =-, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Lovers Leap Park Trail
~11 min drive
3.08-mile out-and-back trail in Connecticut with 982 ft gain.
Photo: Paul and Jill, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Mattatuck Trail
~18 min drive
Rugged 40-mile point-to-point ridge trail across western Connecticut highlands.
Photo: Pedro Xing, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Pinney Loop
~1 min drive
Easy 2.1-mile point-to-point woodland walk in Connecticut.
Photo: -= Bruce Berrien =-, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Proposed Trail
~11 min drive
2.42-mile out-and-back hike in Connecticut with 1,205 ft gain.
Photo: Pedro Xing, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Brinsmade Loop
~1 min drive
Short point-to-point woodland trail in Connecticut.
HIKE
Tower Trail
~11 min drive
Quick point-to-point woodland walk in Connecticut.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Story Walk Trail
~8 min drive
Family-friendly point-to-point story trail with illustrated panels.
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Fawn Pond
~18 min drive
Short point-to-point walk to Fawn Pond in Connecticut.
Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Hay Field Loop
~8 min drive
Short point-to-point meadow walk through Connecticut countryside.
Route details
- Distance
- 3.9 mi
- Climbing
- About 363 ft
- Summit
- 774 ft
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- About 1.5 hours
Other routes up Steep Rock
Questions about this route
How long is the Steep Rock Loop on Steep Rock?
About 3.9 mi.
How much elevation gain is on the Steep Rock Loop?
About 363 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Steep Rock Loop?
It is rated easy.
How long does the Steep Rock Loop take?
About 1.5 hours round trip.
How many routes go up Steep Rock?
2: Shinar Trail and Steep Rock Loop.
Conditions and forecast on Steep Rock
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
