Waquaheag Trail

The Waquaheag Trail is a short hike in Connecticut, about a mile from the village of Canton Center. At 1.32 miles and rated easy, it makes a quick outing rather than a full-day commitment. The route starts at roughly 400 feet and gains about 250 feet one way, topping out near 560 feet, with a low point around 340 feet. Most of it is gentle, but expect one sharp pitch about half a mile in, where the grade briefly reaches roughly 27 percent. Overall the trail drops more than it climbs, about 340 feet of descent against that 250 feet of gain. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Burlington put September highs around 75°F with lows in the low 50s, while May sees highs near 70°F. Several other short trails sit close by, including the Ray Smith Yellow and Ray Smith Red trails and Tommy's Trail, each a mile or so away. Paddlers can head to the East Branch Farmington River, about 3 miles off.