Details

Trail Length: 7.4 miles
Towns: Haddam, Chester
Allowed Uses: Hiking Only
Partners: CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)

Trail Overview

The first parts of the Cockaponset Trail were built in 1934 as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project. The fruits of CCC labor can be seen on the northern parts of the trail. Look for excellent grading and enduring rockwork. Also, east of the trail just north of Jericho Road, you can see the footings of the old CCC-constructed Turkey Hill Observation Tower. The trail also passes several defunct charcoal production sites.

Traveling along beautiful rolling terrain, crossing brooks, and wandering through mature forests, the Cockaponset Trail, located within the Cockaponset State Forest, is a true gem. The trail also passes the popular Pattaconk Reservoir. Many multi-use trails, both marked and unmarked, intersect and occasionally overlap the Cockaponset Trail. To ensure you are on the right trail, follow the blue blazes on the Cockaponset Trail and blue/red blazes on the loop trails. All loop trails begin and end on the Cockaponset Trail.

CFPA acknowledges we are on the traditional lands of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the Mohegans, the Eastern Pequot, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill Paugussett, Nipmuc, and Niantic peoples. We pay our respect to the Indigenous people who are no longer here due to colonization, forced relocation, disease, and warfare. We thank them for stewarding this land throughout generations. We recognize the continued presence of Indigenous people on this territory who have survived attempted genocide, and who still hold ties to the land spiritually and culturally. We shall be good stewards of the land we all call Quinnentucket, Connecticut.