The Housatonic Range Trail is a 6.2 Mile CFPA Blue Blazed trail near New Milford in CT. The trail follows an old Native American Indian path that looks down on the Housatonic River and includes superb views, caves, features and rockfall areas.

In Depth Guide

The Housatonic Range Trail ( also known as the HuRT) goes along the North West Highlands of Connecticut following an old Native American Indian path that looks down on the Housatonic River Below. Housatonic comes form the mohican word for ‘beyond the mountains’.

Tory’s Cave

The Tory’s Cave on the Housatonic Range Trail is the only example of a marble cave in Connecticut, its found on a short blue yellow loop of the main trail. The cave is the only true cave in CT and is currently closed to protect the bat population inside. The cave is also home to a blind shrimp-like amphipod called a Stygobromus.

It should not be confused with the famous Old Leatherman Tory’s Den Cave near the Tunxis Trail, and sadly the legend that Tories hid in the cave during the Revolutionary war has no supporting evidence.

The trail is closed just after Tory’s Cave. The signs in this area are a mess and conflicting but its easier to think of the trail as permanently closed and not a temporary issue. A brand new housing estate has been built where the trail used to go so this is clearly not a temporary issue. I recommend using Squash Hollow Road as a diversion.

The Suicide Ledges

After the second crossing of Squash Hollow Road the path begins to go down a series of steep rock ledges. This area is absolutely stunning but some of the trickiest terrain we have ever been on in Connecticut.

The suicide ledges as they are known have a series of blue blazes running down through the large boulders and in some cases you are literally going straight down between boulders. If you are short this is particularly difficult.

If you find you are having trouble with one section look for alternatives out to the right hand side which is how we found other ways to get further down some of the features without long drops.

As you get nearer the base of this section you’ll duck under a huge boulder and squeeze through a very small gap into a cave that opens up at the other end.

The trail then exits through a large gap at the bottom of the feature which then has the path amble round the side of this vast rocky outcrop so you can appreciate how immense and impressive the the rock section is here.

After the Suicide Ledges the trail meanders down to a parking area where the trail also crosses the route I took on the Old Leatherman Loop. Shona and I met up with her mum at this point and she walked with us for the final 3 mile out and back.

The Corkscrew

The path then starts the gentle climb upwards through rocky outcrops and stunning woodlands. After about half a mile you will see trees with some rope attached which is a good sign you are at the rocky feature called The Corkscrew.

The corkscrew is supposedly named because you have to turn round a number of times to go up through it. Its created from a series of boulders all fallen on top of each other. You can opt out of the feature by taking a diversion marked as a blue and white blaze trail instead.

I would recommend doing this feature upwards on the trail not down and its probably wise to miss it if its raining or icy.

Just after The Corkscrew comes a loop called Kelly Slide.

Kelly Slide Trail and Cave

Kelly slide is a huge rock rock slide on the east of Candlewood Mountains and the red a blue short loop of the main trail also takes you to a cave.

This loop is really just technical trail for the sake of it, and the sheer drop and lack of view in the summer makes it really rather pointless. I would not recommend doing this loop in the rain or ice and if you do want to do it I would suggest doing it on the way up the trail not the way down.

Pine Knob Summit

Just past Kelly Slide loop is the small lookout at Pine Knob which has views of the Housatonic River and a fantastic sunshine wooden carving.

Candlelight Mountain

The trail terminates at the peak of Candlelight Mountain at about 1000ft up. There isn’t really a view from the end of the trail and you have to backtrack from the trail to

Summary

The Housatonic Range Trail is a 6.2 Mile CFPA Blue Blazed trail near New Milford in CT. The trail follows an old Native American Indian path that looks down on the Housatonic River and includes superb views, caves, features and rockfall areas.

Parking Info

Gaylordsville Cemetary Parking on roadside verge

Candlewood Mountain Road Parking