This guide will give you everything you need to enjoy this trail including parking, pictures, gpx files and videos as well as some background history and hints and tips.

I’m going to make this very clear early on in this guide. I LOVE THIS TRAIL. ‘Reggie’ as I’ve come to call it will hold a very special place in my heart for lots and lots of reasons.

The Regicides Trail

The Regicides is a Blue Blaze Trail of Connecticut trail and mainly runs along West Rock State Park near New Haven in Connecticut. It is 7.3 miles long running roughly north/south.

The Regicides Trail starts by a stone wall and pavilion at the South Overlook in New Haven, and goes past the historic Judges Cave and then follows the ridgeline through Hamden, ending at the Quinnipiac Trail in Bethany. From 375 feet above sea level at the South Overlook, the traprock ridge rises to more than 600 feet at the northern end and viewpoint where it meets the Quinnipiac Trail . It is essentially the start of the Metacomet Ridge which runs through the centre of CT and MASS.

History of the Regicides Trail

This ‘King Killer’ of a trail is named after William Goffe and Edward Whalley, two of the Regicides of King Charles I of England. They were 2 of 50 judges that signed the death warrant of Charles I King of England.

After Crowell died Charles II took the throne and Seeking to avoid capture by agents of the King, Goffe and Whalley hid at Judges Cave in 1661 and again in 1664.

My Connection to The Regicides Trail and The Monarch’s Way in the UK

I’m originally from the UK where I hold a Fastest Known Time record on the Monarchs Way. This 625 mile trail follows the route that Charles II took to escape Cromwells army after the English Civil War. It ends near Newhaven in Brighton in the UK. The regicides Trail starts near New Haven and has a direct link to Charles II as well.

Where a Prince met a Pauper

The first trail I ran in the USA when I came here was the Regicides Trail. Here was a historical link between my UK trails ( The footsteps of Charles II) and a trail of Judges hiding from his influence. More recently in the USA I also followed in the footsteps of The Connecticut legend ‘The Old Leatherman’ setting a Fastest Known Time on his 365 mile loop as well. The Old Leatherman loop ALSO incorporates The Regicides Trail. During my Fastest Known Time on the Leatherman loop I took a moment to sit on the Regicides Trail and introduce a Pauper to a Prince. Between the two records is nearly 1000 miles and a Newhaven and a New Haven.

The Judges Cave

The Judges cave is a great place to stop off at early on in the Trail ( I recommend hiking or running this trail south to north). You can take the time to walk round and through this giant boulder with a cave in it and imagine what hiding out on the ridge would have been like for the two ‘King Killers’.

7 miles of Cliffs and Views

The Regicides Trail has spectacular views of reservoirs and forests in Woodbridge and Bethany. On the eastern side, the trail has a dramatic perspective down the length of West Rock Ridge, including Farm Brook Reservoir and the forested slopes of the state park.

At the South Overlook, enjoy a panoramic view of south central Connecticut including the Sleeping Giant, East Rock Park, New Haven Harbor and the shimmering expanse of Long Island Sound. 

I believe that West Rock and ‘Reggie’ have some of the most spectacular cliff trail in the state. There are larger and more fierce trails such as The Metacomet or Mattabesset Trail but here in one concentrated 7 miles you get all of the views, fearsome rocky trail, steep drop offs and stunning views that Connecticut is famous for.

Terrain

This is a lovely hike or run in the summer, but be warned in bad or cold weather there are sections of this trail that can be very treacherous, slippery and downright dangerous on the ice without the right gear.

Numerous trails within West Rock connect to the Regicides Trail, making many hiking loops possible including turning the Regicides Trail into a loop by returning via the trails on Wintergreen Lakes that run along one side of the base of West Rock.

There is NOT a secret Bunker in West Rock

If you go online you will find that there is no reference to a secret bunker buried deep in West Rock. So it must be true. You will wonder about the strange guard houses (which locals have no told me are a remnant from a telephone company even though there is no other signs of any telecoms kit nearby) , perfectly manicured road that was closed to the public decades ago in the middle of nowhere and strange yellow marked breathing pipes ( which are water boundary marking apparently, but actively kept clear and with air coming through them) all along the ridge. You may even wonder why half way along the trail there is a large square tarmac area that is large enough to land a helicopter that is perfectly maintained with trees cleared deliberately on the cliff side. I have checked online. There is no bunker. There can’t be because I’ve found nothing about it online at all.

The Northern Tip

The last section of the Trail is brutally steep and incredibly rocky and involves a scramble ascent to the peak where it joins with The Quinnipiac Trail.

Verdict

This is probably my favourite trail in the Blue Blaze series. Its my local daily running trail, is steeped in history and has great views and challenging terrain. Its a great hike or run for anyone in good weather. It will always hold a place in my heart as the place where a Prince met a Pauper and Newhaven in the UK met New Haven in the USA.

Useful Information

Parking

You can park at West Rock State Park in the middle of the Trail area

53-, 55 Main St, Hamden, CT 06514

You can also park in the summer at the viewpoint at the southern tip here

Unnamed Road, New Haven, CT 06515

Dropped Google Pin 41°19’56.8″N 72°57’40.5″W

At the Northern Tip of the Trail closest parking is here

Trail Map

Distance 7.3 miles – elevation gain 1332 ft

Garmin link to my GPX file here