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Horse Guard State Park Scenic Reserve
4.4 ★★★★☆ 75 Google reviews · Running trail in Avon, Connecticut · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 1.5 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Horse Guard State Park Scenic Reserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Rocky, uncrowded park featuring an out-and-back trail (to a ridge) plus scenic views.
What runners say about Horse Guard State Park Scenic Reserve
“Nice short but steady incline hike with a beautiful view at the top”
Such a surprisingly good view at the end of this short hike! The walk is uphill but not crazy, and the forest is beautiful. If it has rained within the past few days, the trail does get really muddy. At the end, there is abour 40 feet of rock scramble to get to the top, where you can see out over the entire valley.
1.2 mile walk out & back. Rock scramble at the end but once on top the view is panoramic. Greatest spot
Horse Guard State Park is on 107 acres of land and established in 1964. The name came from the First Company Governor's Horse Guards. They were a calvary unit founded in 1788 and is still active today. They are deemed to be the oldest and continually operating calvary in the US.
First time coming here and it is a peaceful hike. I followed the alltrails app which is out in back and it took me about 15 minutes to walk one way. It is very muddy. I would recommend definitely wearing proper shoes because of all the mud that is on the trail. There is a small parking lot to park.
Trail conditions & character
“A nice short fairly easy walk ( around a half mile one way from parking to lookout) With a great rocky outlook with good views.”
“At the end of the trail, there is a rocky hill that you can climb up to look at the views of the south and west.”
“A nice short fairly easy walk ( around a half mile one way from parking to lookout) With a great rocky outlook with good views.”
“A nice short fairly easy walk ( around a half mile one way from parking to lookout) With a great rocky outlook with good views.”
“First time coming here and it is a peaceful hike.”
“The hiking itself is moderately flat until the last steep scramble to the lookout.”
“Just watch closely, the trail markers need to be redone.”
Plan your run at Horse Guard State Park Scenic Reserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance1.5 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websiteportal.ct.gov
- Phone(860) 242-1158
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