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Nipmuck Trail

The blue-blazed Nipmuck Trail extends from Mansfield north to the MA border. It is shaped like an upside-down fork and has two southern branches: the West Branch starts on Puddin Lane in Mansfield; the East Branch starts in Mansfield Hollow State Park.
Trail Activity
Hiking
Length
42.50 miles, One Way
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Towns
Union, Ashford, Willington, Mansfield
Surface
Packed Earth/Dirt, Rock/Ledge
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

The Nipmuck Trail extends from Mansfield north to the Massachusetts border. It is shaped roughly like an upside-down fork and has two southern branches: the West Branch starts on Puddin’ Lane in Mansfield; the East Branch starts in Mansfield Hollow State Park in North Windham. The northern terminus of the Nipmuck Trail is in the beautiful Bigelow Hollow State Park.

The trail crosses through a number of recreation and conservation areas including Sawmill Preserve, Mansfield Hollow State Park, the Natchaug and Nipmuck State Forests, Schoolhouse Brook Park, the Yale Forest, Bigelow Hollow State Park, and other lands owned by towns and land conservation trusts, most notably Joshua’s Trust.

Highlights on the trail include Wolf Rock (an enormous glacial erratic), lookout over Mansfield Hollow Lake, 50’ Cliff, Pixie Falls, Ladies Room Rock, Coye Hill (highest point on the Nipmuck Trail), and the Fenton and Mount Hope rivers. The Nipmuck Trail crosses open field, follows along ridges and woods roads, and provides a continuous spine to which numerous other trail systems connect.

In Bigelow Hollow State Park, five additional trails (along with the Nipmuck Trail) are maintained by CFPA & DEEP, totaling approximately 20 miles.

Visit the CT DEEP website for more information on trails and access to Bigelow Hollow State Park and Mansfield Hollow State Park.

Other Information

Notice a trail problem? Please report it to CFPA at this link

Trail Manager

For more information, visit the Connecticut Forest & Park Association website or contact:

Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA)
Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA)
16 Meriden Rd
Rockfall, CT 06481
860-346-TREE
View website

Trail Tips

Respect Wildlife
Keep your pets under control at all times, to protect both them and wild animals, fragile environments, and the enjoyment of other visitors.
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Trailhead Information

Southern Trailheads:
  • Puddin Lane
  • Mansfield Hollow State Park
 
Northern trailhead: 
  • Bigelow Hollow State Park
There are many additional parking options along the trail route.
Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
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