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CTMQ > Hikes, Bikes & Paddles > CFPA Hikes > Shenipsit Trail Intro

Shenipsit Trail Intro

February 16, 2009 by Steve 4 Comments

The Shenipsit Trail
East Hampton to Stafford
50 miles

The Shenipsit Trail is located in Central Connecticut and mostly follows the low ridgeline east of the Connecticut River. It runs for about 50 miles in a north-south direction. There are about 25 miles of regional Shenipsit Trails as well. The southern trailhead is in the Cobalt section of East Hampton near Great Hill and goes north to a random road in northern Stafford, just shy of the Massachusetts border. The trail navigates through several populated suburban areas and it also crosses a few highways.

Great Hill Overlook at the East Hampton/Portland line near the southern terminus

For whatever reason, the S’nip is always overlooked when discussing Connecticut’s (relatively) long distance trails. Which is a shame, because it has a lot of interesting features along its way. The trail runs primarily through the Shenipsit and Meshomasic State Forests, but also hits some Hop River State Park Trail in Bolton and Vernon and places such as Case Mountain, Gay City State Park, and Soapstone Mountain.

Let’s do this trail!

My sections begin at the southern terminus along Gadpouch Road in East Hampton north to Greaves Road in Stafford.

Section 1: Gadpouch Road to Route 2, E. Hampton, Portland, Glastonbury
Section 2: Route 2 to Coop Sawmill Road, Glastonbury
Section 3: Coop Sawmill Road to Rte 31 Commuter Lot, Manchester, Bolton, Vernon
Section 4: Exit 67/Rte 31 Commuter Lot to Hopkins Rd., Vernon, Tolland, Ellington
Section 5: Hopkins Road to Old County Road, Ellington, Somers, Stafford
Section 6: Old County Road to Greaves Road, Stafford

CTMQ’s hikes of the Shenipsit Regional Trails

CFPA Trails Map
CTMQ’s CFPA Blue Trails Challenge

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Filed Under: CFPA Hikes, Hikes, Bikes & Paddles Tagged With: Blue Trails Challenge, Shenipsit Trail

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Comments

  1. Cumulus says

    July 28, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    As I think you know, I hike the section between the powerlines in Glastonbury and the intersection with Birch Mtn. Rd. in Manchester a lot. I’m looking forward to hearing your take on that area.

    For an interesting experience my son had at the Birch Mtn. Rd. trailhead see my new thread on Rock on Top TRs.

  2. Cumulus says

    September 21, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    You might have seen this, but I’ve written a couple posts in Rocks about a relo of the Shenipsit in Glastonbury:

    http://www.rocksontop.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=6132

  3. Q says

    May 9, 2021 at 11:26 pm

    What does CTMQ stand for? Is it Connecticut Man Quest?

    Thanks for the run down of the trail.

  4. Steve says

    May 10, 2021 at 5:52 am

    CTMQ FAQ

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