The Pachaug Trail is a 24 mile CFPA Blue Blaze Trail that is horseshoe shaped. Its starts in Green Fall Pond in Voluntown near the start of the Nehantic Trail and mainly runs through Pachaug State Forest as well as going through Hopkinton in Rhode Island. Its also used for the Pachaug Trail Run Event by Live Loud Running.

In Depth Guide

The Pachaug Trail was once much larger but has been steadily made smaller over the years since World War 2. A lot of this trail is relatively flat ( about 2000ft of climb over the whole 24 miles) making it an easier trail for people of most abilities but it does cross lots of streams and wetland areas so bring bug spray and expect to get wet feet all year round if you aren’t super careful crossing streams.

Green Falls Pond Recreation Area

Green Falls Pond has a lake that has a 2 mile loop trail round it and is popular with campers. This is also where the trail meets up with the Narrangansett Trail. The Trail shares its start right next to the Nehantic Trail in Green Falls

Pachaug State Forest

The 30,000 acre Pachaug State Forest was the first state forest in Connecticut and grew rapidly as local farmers came to realise how poor the soil was for growing crops.

Beach Pond

Just prior to Beach pond is a busy road section you will need to take care on. Beach Pond is a 372 acre natural lake that is partially in Voluntown, CT and Exeter, RI. Beach Pond was made 10 feet deeper by the building of a concrete dam at the westernmost point, which is currently owned by the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Tall Rocky Cliffs and Soggy Feet

After Beach Pond you enter Rhode Island for a short period and then enter an old section of the Forest that has rocky cliffs and stream crossings. The terrain is hard work but the scenery is stunning and well worth it.

Wickaboxet Marsh

About half way along the trail it passes through Wickaboxet marsh and crosses a dam and winds past various small ponds. The trail opens up a bit here to a wider track and the terrain gets easier underfoot.

Mount Misery Campsite

After a few more miles through the woods and along a very pretty ( but rock and wet feet path again) you’ll come to the Mount Misery Campsite which also has lots of parking. This is the point that the Nehantic Trail also rejoins and shares the trail with The Pachaug until just after Mount Misery.

Rhododendron Sanctuary Trail

There is also another super small CFPA Blue Blaze Trail hidden in the Mt Misery Campgrounds on the trail called the Rhododendron Sanctuary Trail.

Mount Misery

Mount Misery is a scenic view point on the trail with great views of the surrounding forest. Shortly after the summit the path to the west is currently having some logging work so take care as some short sections can be closed and many of the trees with blazes have been removed. We suggest if you are travelling through this area to bring an electronic map to help you find the right direction through this area. This is where the trail meets up with the Nehantic Trail and a mile or two later the trail also meets up with the Quinebaug Trail towards the western terminus.

Parking Info

Green Fall Pond Parking at the Start

Pachaug Finish