Details

Trail Length: 42 miles
Towns: Wolcott, Plymouth, Thomaston, Watertown, Morris, Litchfield, Warren, Cornwall
Allowed Uses: Hiking Only
Partners: CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), The Litchfield Land Trust, White Memorial Conservation Center, The Nature Conservancy, Warren Land Trust, City of Waterbury

Trail Overview

The blue-blazed Mattatuck Trail features a woodland footpath beside ponds and streams, descends through a ravine framing the spectacular terraced Buttermilk Falls, meanders past a cave frequented by the legendary Leatherman, and crosses one of Connecticut’s highest peaks. From its southern terminus in Wolcott, the trail follows a northwesterly route to the Mattatuck State Forest and Black Rock State Park. The trail ascends along the western ridges of the Waterbury Reservoirs with breathtaking views to the north. In Litchfield, the Mattatuck Trail passes through the White Memorial Conservation Center, a 4,000-acre wildlife sanctuary that includes a network of supplementary side trails.

The trail resumes in Warren in the Wyantenock State Forest. It quickly enters the City of Waterbury Shepaug Reservoir land and Warren Land Trust open space property. The trail traverses rugged terrain featuring mountain laurel, seasonal views of the reservoirs to the east, streams, and marshes, and deep woodlands. The northernmost section of the Mattatuck Trail travels through the Mohawk State Forest in Cornwall, one of the most scenic woodland areas in Connecticut. Meandering beside streams and through rock walls, the trail climbs Mohawk Mountain and offers outstanding panoramic views of western Connecticut and the hills of New York. The Mattatuck’s northern terminus is at its junction with the blue-blazed Mohawk Trail.

  • The Waterbury Reservoir lands are open to foot travel only.
  • Pets must be leashed on the Waterbury Reservoir lands.
  • Hunting is permitted in State Forests intersected by this trail. Please use caution and wear orange during hunting season.
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.