The Nehantic Trail

April 18, 2014 12:00 am • Last Updated: April 26, 2016 2:32 pm

Evergreen saplings populate the woods that the 13-mile Nehantic Trail traverses in Griswold.

Town: Griswold and Voluntown

Directions: To northern trailhead at Hopeville Pond State Park: 395 north to Exit 86; right off exit; follow signs to park. Entrance to park is a half-mile on the right, off Route 201. Trailhead is across the road from Hopeville Pond beach. To southern trailhead in the Green Falls section of the Pachaug State Forest: 395 N to Exit 85, follow Route 138 East 8.3 miles to park entrance. Trailhead is across the road from parking area at Green Falls Pond beach. Mid-section of trail can be accessed at the Chapman section of Pachaug State Forest: 395 north to Exit 85; go through the 1st light at the next stop light; right onto Route 138 East. Go 9 miles then left onto Route 49 North. Forest entrance will be 1 mile ahead on the left.

Where to park: Ample parking at Hopeville Pond State Park and Green Falls Pond and Chapman sections of Pachaug State Forest.

Description: 13 miles of blue-blazed trail maintained by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association connects three state-owned areas. Most of the trail is in Pachaug State Forest, but there are a couple of sections that follow forest roads, one stretch along Route 49 and a couple on easements over private land.

Regulations: Hikers only; no motorized vehicles.

Amenities: A shelter a short way off the trail in the northern half is available by reservation from DEEP. Outhouses are located near where the trail crosses through the Chapman Falls-Mt. Misery section of the Pachaug and at the parks at both ends of the trail.

Natural Features: Most of the trail is fairly level, easy-to-moderate hiking. A short steep section leads to Mt. Misery, a 441-foot overlook.

Fees: None

Things to Note: Trail crosses two other blue-blazed trails, the Narragansett and Pachaug, plus a side trail to the Rhododendron Sanctuary in the Chapman section of the Pachaug State Forest.

Owned by: Connecticut Forest & Park Association

Information: Visit www.ctwoodlands.org or, these links directly for Hopeville Pond State Park and Pachaug State Forest.

This may have once been part of a Civilian Conservation Corps structure, according to Connecticut Forest and Park Association volunteer Bob Andrews.

Connecticut Forest and Park Association volunteer Todd Douglass carries an abandoned tire found on the 13-mile Nehantic Trail. He and volunteer Bob Andrews took turns lugging the tire before leaving it in a spot for state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection employees to haul away.

Hikers on the Nehantic Trail will encounter, among other things, an abandoned farmhouse and barn.

Though well into spring, the trees along the Nehantic Trail had yet to bloom.

Hikers on the Nehantic Trail take a break at a backpacking shelter along the way. From left: CFPA volunteer Bob Andrews, Day Digital News Director Carlos Virgen and Day Staff Writer Judy Benson.

A log book at a backpacking shelter along the Nehantic Trail rests on a shelf next to two unopened cans of beer.

Day staffers and volunteers from the Connecticut Forest and Park Association enjoy lunch and the views on Mt. Misery while on a 13-mile hike of the Nehantic Trail one recent April day.

The Nehantic Trail includes a climb up Mt. Misery, also known as Misery Hill, elevation 441 feet. Here, a view from the top of the hill.

Hikers on the Nehantic Trail are greeted by young horseback riders at Pachaug State Forest.

The Nehantic Trail will take hikers by some interesting signs, including this one in a residential neighborhood.

Chloe the pup gets her feet muddy and wet during the 13-mile hike of the Nehantic Trail.

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