From the north the trail leaves the Mattabesett Trail 1.3 miles east of Route 77 and heads south over land owned by the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, a section of the Cockaponset State Forest, two town preserves, and various properties of the Guilford Land Conservation Trust, before emerging onto secondary roads and reaching the shoreline at Chittenden Park. Chittenden Park is the official Southern Gateway of the New England Trail and the Park features a boardwalk and overlook platform on Long Island Sound.
The terrain of the Menunkatuck Trail is rolling, with little to no steep climbing, and consists of rocky wooded ridges, inland wetlands, scenic meadows, and residential areas. Notable features include Timberland Preserve’s Upper Lake and the beautiful haying fields of East River Preserve. The Menunkatuck also has the distinction of being the only Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA) trail to pass directly through a train station!
The Menunkatuck Trail is part of the 235-mile New England National Scenic Trail (NET). The NET was designated as a national scenic trail in 2009 and connects from the Long Island Sound to the MA/NH border. The NET is comprised of the Menunkatuck, Mattabesett, Metacomet, and Metacomet-Monadnock Trails. Info and hours for the Henry Whitfield State Museum are on the state website.
The trail also links to other trail systems in Nut Plain Woods, Timberland Preserve, East River Preserve, and the Genesee Recreation Area (managed by the Regional Water Authority, permit required) offering loop opportunities and further exploration to conserved open space.
Partners: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), Guilford Land Conservation Trust, South Central Regional Water Authority, Guilford Parks & Recreation Department, CT Office of Culture & Tourism
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