7.5 miles
Distance
359 ft
Climb
-360 ft
Descent
792 ft
High Point

If you are looking for a long hike, natural beauty, solitude, and quiet, try this loop. The lower Nipmuck Trail appears to be often overlooked and there is nothing like the soft footfalls on a trail with a deep bed of pine needles. Park in the Fisherman's Lot on the left as soon as you enter the park and look for the short connector built specifically for Southbound hikers to reach the trail without walking on Route 171 (dangerous- do NOT attempt).
The hike north is through a beautiful forest above an area with a dense stand of mountain laurel, so the June blooming season should be special. When the trail reaches the open helipad, take the white blazed East Ridge Trail to continue on the high road with few hikers. The trail drops sharply on the northern end to the pond and joins the northern end of the Nipmuck Trail.
Follow the Nipmuck Trail south to the southern end of the pond and follow the Park Road, blazed white.
Where the white-blazed East Ridge Trail turns west, continue straight on the Park rad and eventually you will reach the main paved park road. Turn left to continue south to the Fisherman's Lot.

Detailed Description
Breakneck East Side Loop is a 7 mile moderately popular easy route located near Union Connecticut. This hike only route and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 4 trails. This route climbs 359 ft with a max elevation of 792 ft then descends -360 ft.
Route Supporters
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Connecticut Forest and Park Association (www.ctwoodlands.org)
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
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Trails in Route

Details

More Stats for Breakneck East Side Loop mountain bike route
  • Avg time
    3 hr 9 min
  • Altitude min
    656 ft
  • Altitude start
    671 ft
  • Altitude end
    669 ft
  • Grade max
    -13.8%
  • Grade min
    16.4%
  • Distance climb
    2 miles
  • Distance down
    3 miles
  • Distance flat
    2 miles

Directions

  1. Walk northeast on Bigelow Hollow Main Road.
  2. Continue for 50 meters.
  3. Turn right onto Access to Nipmuck Trail.
  4. Continue for 200 meters.
  5. Turn left onto Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  6. Continue for 2.5 kilometers.
  7. Turn right onto East Ridge Trail.
  8. Continue for 3 kilometers.
  9. Turn left onto Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  10. Continue for 60 meters.
  11. Keep straight to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  12. Continue for 40 meters.
  13. Keep left to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  14. Continue for 10 meters.
  15. Keep right to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  16. Continue for less than 10 meters.
  17. Keep straight to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  18. Continue for 20 meters.
  19. Keep right to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  20. Continue for 20 meters.
  21. Keep straight to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  22. Continue for 20 meters.
  23. Keep right to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  24. Continue for 10 meters.
  25. Keep left to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  26. Continue for 10 meters.
  27. Make a right U-turn to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  28. Continue for 10 meters.
  29. Keep right to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  30. Continue for 10 meters.
  31. Keep left to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  32. Continue for 20 meters.
  33. Keep straight to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  34. Continue for 20 meters.
  35. Keep left to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  36. Continue for 20 meters.
  37. Keep straight to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  38. Continue for less than 10 meters.
  39. Keep left to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  40. Continue for 10 meters.
  41. Keep right to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  42. Continue for 40 meters.
  43. Keep straight to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  44. Continue for 60 meters.
  45. Make a right U-turn to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  46. Continue for 60 meters.
  47. Keep straight to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  48. Continue for 40 meters.
  49. Keep left to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  50. Continue for 10 meters.
  51. Keep right to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  52. Continue for less than 10 meters.
  53. Keep straight to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  54. Continue for 20 meters.
  55. Keep right to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  56. Continue for 20 meters.
  57. Keep straight to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  58. Continue for 20 meters.
  59. Keep right to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  60. Continue for 10 meters.
  61. Keep left to stay on Nipmuck Trail Breakneck Section.
  62. Continue for 3 kilometers.
  63. Make a sharp right onto Park Rd/East Ridge Trail.
  64. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  65. Turn left onto Park Rd.
  66. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  67. Turn left.
  68. Continue for 400 meters.
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