Length: 50 miles
Towns: Portland, East Hampton, Glastonbury, Manchester, Bolton, Vernon, Tolland, Ellington, Somers, Stafford
Trail Overview: The Shenipsit Trail system extends from the Cobalt area of East Hampton north to just shy of the Massachusetts border in West Stafford. The trail traverses the Meshomasic and Shenipsit State Forests on trails that are primarily woodland paths and offer several outstanding views. The Shenipsit also connects to the trail systems in Gay City State Park in Hebron, Case Mountain Recreation Area in Manchester, and Valley Falls Park in Vernon. Points of interest along the Shenipsit Trail include spectacular views of Great Hill Pond and the Connecticut River, excellent views of Hartford from the summit of Case Mountain, a junction with the Hop River Rail Trail in Bolton, scenic sections on the banks of the Tankerhoosen River in the Belding and Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Areas in Vernon, and excellent views to the west, north, and southwest from the fire tower on Soapstone Mountain in Somers. The trail also crosses conservation lands protected by the Kongscut Land Trust and the Manchester Land Trust.
Allowed Uses: Hiking, Biking (only in specific areas)
Partners: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), Kongscut Land Trust, Manchester Land Trust, Tolland County Agricultural Center, Meshomasic Hiking Club, Shenipsit Striders, Town of Vernon, Town of Glastonbury
Towns: Portland, East Hampton, Glastonbury, Manchester, Bolton, Vernon, Tolland, Ellington, Somers, Stafford
Trail Overview: The Shenipsit Trail system extends from the Cobalt area of East Hampton north to just shy of the Massachusetts border in West Stafford. The trail traverses the Meshomasic and Shenipsit State Forests on trails that are primarily woodland paths and offer several outstanding views. The Shenipsit also connects to the trail systems in Gay City State Park in Hebron, Case Mountain Recreation Area in Manchester, and Valley Falls Park in Vernon. Points of interest along the Shenipsit Trail include spectacular views of Great Hill Pond and the Connecticut River, excellent views of Hartford from the summit of Case Mountain, a junction with the Hop River Rail Trail in Bolton, scenic sections on the banks of the Tankerhoosen River in the Belding and Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Areas in Vernon, and excellent views to the west, north, and southwest from the fire tower on Soapstone Mountain in Somers. The trail also crosses conservation lands protected by the Kongscut Land Trust and the Manchester Land Trust.
Allowed Uses: Hiking, Biking (only in specific areas)
Partners: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), Kongscut Land Trust, Manchester Land Trust, Tolland County Agricultural Center, Meshomasic Hiking Club, Shenipsit Striders, Town of Vernon, Town of Glastonbury
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Feb 20, 2021 , Manchester
Recent Trail Reports
| status | trail | date | condition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shenipsit Trail | Jun 21, 2026 @ 11:51am (America/New_York) Jun 21, 2026 | view | ||
| Hop River & Shenipsit Trails | Jun 21, 2026 @ 11:51am (America/New_York) Jun 21, 2026 | view | ||
| Birch Mountain Trail (Blue/Yellow Blaze) | May 11, 2026 @ 5:22pm (America/New_York) May 11, 2026 | view | ||
| Shenipsit Trail | Apr 9, 2025 @ 4:59pm Apr 9, 2025 | view | ||
| Avery Road | Apr 9, 2025 @ 4:59pm Apr 9, 2025 | view |
Total Trails
76
Total Distance
66 miles
Total Descent
-7,120 ft
Total Climb
7,274 ft
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- By PlumbBobM
TRAILFORKS HCH - #654 - 2,037 views