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West Mountain Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · Running trail in West Simsbury, Connecticut · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 25 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from West Mountain Trail'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.
What runners say about West Mountain Trail
“Gorgeous hike, varied terrain - a little bit of everything Took red to blue along the reservoir, great waterfall.”
“The red trail is well marked.”
“it's long and not an easy hike(the blue trial is easier)We took the red in and blue out.”
We had an excellent hike up the blue blaze trail. It was wet in spots and 2 of our party got wet feet. We spotted iced waterfalls and a few cardinals. It was early afternoon on new years day and we saw 6 other parties hiking, mostly with dogs. Half of them were masked.
Gorgeous hike, varied terrain - a little bit of everything Took red to blue along the reservoir, great waterfall. Over the bridge to white them back to red for ridgeline vista. Trail description of rocky and seasonally wet is accurate, but well worth it.
This is a .5 mile trail and if you make it a loop, it will total to 1 mile; it's on yellow and red blazed trails. This short trail connects to the longer West Mountain Trails. The parking lot was spacious and it could fit a few vehicles.
I only recently found this hiking area, but it's been great both times I've visited! There are a few trail options, which will keep me coming back. The red trail had a few steep climbs, and plenty of gorgeous scenery. There isn't a ton of parking in the dirt lot, but nearby public spaces are there for carpooling.
Trail conditions & character
“Gorgeous hike, varied terrain - a little bit of everything Took red to blue along the reservoir, great waterfall.”
“There isn't a ton of parking in the dirt lot, but nearby public spaces are there for carpooling.”
“Trail description of rocky and seasonally wet is accurate, but well worth it.”
“5 mile trail and if you make it a loop, it will total to 1 mile; it's on yellow and red blazed trails.”
“We took the yellow trail which brings us down some rock stairs, and it was flat and easy after that.”
“5 mile trail and if you make it a loop, it will total to 1 mile; it's on yellow and red blazed trails.”
Plan your run at West Mountain Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance25 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitesimsburylandtrust.org
- Phone+1 860-651-8773
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–6 pm |
Running trails near West Simsbury
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Hedgehog Trail
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