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South Pattaconk Trail
Location Information
Sponsored by:
Connecticut Forest & Park Association
Location Entrance:
Filley Road
Chester, CT 06412
Location Phone:
Type: A single trail
Alternate trailhead or entry point:
Route 148
Difficulty: Challenging (Steep terrain with the likeliness to encounter periodic obstacles.)
Primary Walking Surface:
Earth
Hours open:
Dawn to dusk
Suitable for ages: • Children • Teenagers • Adults • Seniors
Number of walking trails: 1
Total walking route length: 10 miles
Admission fees:
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) charges for parking on weekends and holidays during the summer season.
Location Details
From the Pattaconk Reservoir Parking area in the Cockaponset State Forest, locate the blue-blazed Cockaponset Trail along the south edge of the parking lot. Follow the Cockaponset Trail west to your first intersection with a blue/red blazed trail. This is the South Pattaconk Trail. The South Pattaconk Trail is blazed with a 2-by-6-inch painted blaze. The top 2/3rds are light (CFPA, Connecticut Forest & Park Association) blue and the bottom third is red.
Turn left onto the South Pattaconk Trail. Pass through a boggy area and then begin to ascend along a rocky outcrop. A small overlook provides a limited view before the trail descends steeply. Caution must be used on this section of the trail in wet, icy, or snowy weather. Cross an old woods road and continue heading south. The trail begins a gradual ascent over ledge and through mountain laurel stands. The trail turns right onto and then, after a short distance, left off of an old woods road before it ascends, levels off, and drops down a steep slope.
The white-triangle-blazed trail briefly shares the treadway with the South Pattaconk Trail. This section of the blue/red trail is multi-use. The trail then parallels Lampes Brook on uneven rocky ground. Then it crosses the brook and hairpins back along the other side of the brook for a brief bit. The trail skirts the edge of an old sand pit used in the construction of Filley Road and then crosses Filley Road (paved/abandoned). After crossing Filley Road, the trail continues a short distance and ends at the intersection with the blue-blazed Cockaponset Trail. Follow the Cockaponset Trail to your right to reach the Route 148 trailhead (1/10 mile) or follow it to your left for 1 and 7/10 of a mile to return to the Pattaconk Reservoir parking area. For more detailed trail information, consult the CFPA Walk Book East.
Location Features
| Landscape settings: | • Rural • Stream/river • Woodland • Wetland • Gentle hill • Steep hill |
| Amenities: | • Geocaches • Letterboxes • Leashed pets permitted |
| Activities: |        |
| Neighboring towns: | |
| Access restrictions: | This is a CFPA-maintained state hiking trail and is open to foot traffic only (hiking, running, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing). Dogs must be leashed. Hunting is permitted in the state forest, so wear blaze orange during hunting season. |
 Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail: |
The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System, was established in 1929 by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), a private, non-profit conservation organization. Since that time, the system has grown to include roughly 825 miles of footpaths across Connecticut. The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails are maintained by dedicated CFPA volunteers for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public. To learn more about their use, visit the Trail Use Policy page. The Connecticut Walk Book East and West, comprehensive guides to the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails, are also available at our online store. |
How to get there
| Driving Directions: | Take Route 9 to Exit 6/Route 148. Head west on Route 148. After passing Cedar Lake, take an immediate right onto Cedar Lake Road. Follow the road for approximately 1 mile. Turn left at the "Pattaconk Reservoir Recreation Area" sign. Follow the access road (Filley Road) to the two large parking areas. Park in the lot to your right. To reach the southern trailhead on Route 148, take Route 9 to Exit 6/Route 148. Head west on Route 148. Pass Cedar Lake on your right and then Route 145 on your left. 7/10 of a mile past Route 145, on the left hand side of the road, is parking for about 6 cars, directly across from the trailhead. |
| Parking: | |
| Public transportation: |
Other Items of Interest
| Flora and fauna: | Squirrels, chipmunks, white tailed deer, barred owl, salamanders, and mountain laurel. |
| Affiliate Groups: | Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection |