Connecticut · Hiking

Sunset Hill Trail

0.4 mi
one way
97 ft
climb
647 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Sunset Hill Trail is a short, easy hike in Connecticut, about 2.5 miles from the town of Ellington. The route is a point-to-point walk of roughly 0.36 miles, with a high point of 647 feet and a low of 523 feet. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.26 miles in, where the grade reaches 16 percent. The total elevation gain is 97 feet, and the trail ends with a descent of about 216 feet. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Staffordville show May highs around 68°F and September highs around 73°F, while July peaks near 81°F and January highs sit around 34°F. The trip takes about half an hour, so plan on a quick outing. Kimball Trail lies about 1.2 miles away, and Shenipsit Forest Trail is about 2.1 miles off. For mountain biking, Webster Road is about 1.6 miles away. Paddlers can reach the Hockanum River, about 6.3 miles from the trail.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Sunset Hill 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

      34° / 14°

    2. Feb

      36° / 15°

    3. Mar

      44° / 22°

    4. Apr

      57° / 33°

    5. May

      68° / 43°

    6. Jun

      76° / 53°

    7. Jul

      81° / 59°

    8. Aug

      79° / 58°

    9. Sep

      73° / 51°

    10. Oct

      60° / 39°

    11. Nov

      49° / 30°

    12. Dec

      39° / 21°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Staffordville, CT, 10.3 mi away at 736 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