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Backpack Adventures

Connecticut welcomes backpackers with camping zones in a number of rustic locations around the state. Here’s a hike with two overnights that will take you across the spectacular peaks and valleys of Northwest Connecticut. You can find details for this and other backpacking trips here.

CT map
1-3
Days
Cornwall Bridge to Bunker Hill Bunker Hill to Dean Ravine Dean Ravine to Appalachian Trail
West Cornwall Covered Bridge

Cornwall Bridge to Bunker Hill

The Mohawk Trail in Connecticut was once part of the original Appalachian Trail until a routing change in the 1980s. Today it runs some 23 miles through some of the state’s most spectacular scenery – but you must be fit, very fit, to take on this challenge. This first leg runs 9.4 miles, going quickly uphill from Connecticut’s most famous covered bridge. Primarily a ridge walk, the trail attains a height of 1,450 feet and offers great views across Cornwall Valley. Then comes a steep and sometimes dangerous descent, then through Cathedral Pines and eventually through a black spruce bog to your lean-to near the entrance to Mohawk State Forest.

Bunker Hill to Dean Ravine

Some serious ups and downs on the next day’s 9.2-mile trek. Up to the summit of Red Mountain, down into Cornwall Hollow, a steep rise to magnificent views of forest and farmland, a ridge walk past wetlands and wildlife ponds, and a few more rises and falls before you can rest for the night at your Pine Knoll lean-to.

By the way, the definitive guides to these blue-blazed trails are the Walk Books published by the Connecticut Park & Forest Association.

Dean Ravine to Appalachian Trail

Day 3 is comparatively a walk in the park – only a little over 3 miles to where the northern terminus of the Mohawk Trail joins the Appalachian Trail, which continues its merry meanderings all the way up to Maine. But just because it’s a short hike doesn’t mean it’s easy – in fact it’s not recommended for inexperienced hikers, children, dogs or those who are not physically fit.

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