Posted By auntie on August 5, 2015

3.9 miles; durham, ct

i did a (very) short section of this trail with the hubs as an out-and-back. it was fairly demanding, and i skipped doing the very last part because of the steepness of the trail and the loose traprock gravel that covered it. not interested in another wrenched knee 3 weeks before ireland (did i mention i’m going to ireland?).

the trail

while portions of this trail were nice a flat and level, i’d have to say the majority of it was fairly steep and very rocky with the characteristic “trap rock” of central connecticut. makes for some difficult walking.

view

you are rewarded for the climb to the top of pistapaug mountain with this view of pistapaug pond and the distant higher hills to the west. it’s a pretty walk at the top along a ridge overlooking the pond.

signage

the mattabesett trail is part of connecticut’s blue-blazed hiking trail system, and is the southern part of the new england national scenic trail. you can find more info on the connecticut blue-blazed hiking trail system at www.ctwoodlands.org (look for the interactive map of the all the blue trails in connecticut), and information on the new england national scenic trail, which runs from the long island sound in connecticut to the massachusetts/new hampshire border, at www.newenglandtrail.org.

Categories: CFPA Trails, Connecticut, Walks and Hikes
Tags: 2–5 miles, CT, Durham CT