Day Trip to Washington Depot; Hikes, Cafes, & Shops!
Come visit one of the most charming towns in Litchfield County! Located in the hills of western Connecticut, this guide will give you the very best to do in Washington Depot; hikes, walks through old railway tunnels, cafes, and boutique shops – learn how to have the best day in Washington Depot!
The quaint and picturesque village of Washington Depot was actually the inspiration for Stars Hollow, the town from the popular show, Gilmore Girls! Now I have never seen the Gilmore Girls show. But apparently it is very popular and for many people that’s maybe how they first discover the town of Washington, CT.
The shows creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, fell in love with Washington while staying at the Mayflower Inn & Spa and decided to use the town as a starting-point to develop her idea for a new television series. (explorewashingtonct.com)
In 1734 the town of Washington, named for our founding father George, was established within lower Litchfield County at the foot of the Berkshire Mountain range.
The free flowing Shepaug and East Aspetuck rivers run through Washington’s surrounding hills and back roads and served as the main engine for iron mining and ironworks operations in eighteenth century New England.
As it stands today, the village still retains its colonial charm while boasting more modern commodities like cafes and restaurants offering exceptional dishes, local artisan shoppes, and a fantastic bookstore!
Washington’s perfectly quaint downtown is certainly not the only draw to this beautiful natural area. There are myriad hiking trails within two separate and distinct wilderness preserves that are both a “must explore” for any visitor.
So, as with any pre-hike checklist, we’ll start with where to fuel up!
☕️1st: Coffee & Breakfast in Washington Depot
☕️🥐Marty’s Cafe
Marty’s Cafe, off of Green Hill Road right in the center of town, is a local staple and I can’t recommend this little cafe enough.
A welcoming, friendly atmosphere is what you’ll find when walking through this charming cafe’s front doors, along with maybe some light Jazz softly dancing through some hidden speakers.
Whether you’re looking for an expertly crafted specialty coffee drink, a breakfast sandwich to go, baked goods, or a sit down meal, Marty’s has you covered.
Like most establishments in this tiny downtown, Marty’s location is perfectly placed as a primary jump off point for some adventure.
☕️🥐The Pantry
Located just a stone’s throw from Marty’s is some perfectly friendly competition in The Pantry, another local cafe, restaurant, and renowned bakery.
With an eclectic array of sundries, including coveted Stilton Cheese from the United Kingdom, The Pantry is another perfect spot to grab some caffeine and breakfast before hitting the trails.
Flavor and expert craftsmanship is the name of the game at this stop for a wonderful breakfast or a well deserved post hike lunch.
The sandwiches from The Pantry are the stuff of legend.
Now that you’ve put down enough freshly baked scones and sipped enough latte, you can safely pile in the car and make your way to any of several fantastic hikes in the area.
This entire area is steeped in lots of historical colonial activity, the remnants of which can be seen and felt along the nature trails.
🥾 2nd: Hike and Walk
A trip to Washington Depot isn’t complete without a trip to its natural wonders – Hidden Valley Preserve and Steep Rock Preserve.
Let’s take a look at a couple hikes within Hidden Valley Preserve first:
🥾Van Sinderen Loop: 3.4 mile loop; 469 feet of elevation gain
Just outside of downtown Washington Depot you’ll find the parking area for the Van Sinderson loop in the Hidden Valley Preserve off of Bee Brook Road (Route 47).
Immediately after exiting your vehicle you’ll be greeted with the rushing swoosh of the fast moving currents of the meandering Shepaug River.
To begin this clockwise loop around and through this beautiful countryside, you’ll cross Thoreau Bridge, a stunningly picturesque suspension bridge that spans the Shepaug. Once over the bridge you’ll stay to the right and follow the western banks of the river until reaching another bridge at about .7 miles from the parking area.
Meander along this vibrant river’s edge for another half mile until taking a right up into the hills.
From entering the forest until reaching a spectacular lookout of the lively valley below you’ll traverse about 1.7 miles through dense, serene wilderness. You can explore an abandoned quartz mine along the way, a window into the town’s storied industrial past.
The lookout, achieved in just under 3 miles from this hike’s beginning, offers fantastic views to the northwest and makes for a spectacular spot for enjoying a quiet sunset.
From here, it’s an easy downhill trot of about .5 miles back to your waiting vehicle.
🥾Hidden Valley Overlook and Quartz Mine Loop, 2.8 miles, 456 ft elevation
This trail takes you all along the Shepaug River and up to Hidden Valley’s one and only lookout which I feel like not many people see.
Usually, people are attracted to this place with its hanging bridge (Thoreau Bridge), particularly in fall, but just beyond the bridge and up a little bit of a hill lies the overlook.
This route also takes you by the quartz mine but the thing this trail does not take you by (or over) is the suspension bridge. So take a little detour to see it (just head down closer to the river) or tack on the relatively easy and flat 2 mile Bee Brook Loop.
Now we will highlight a couple must-do trails in Washington’s Steep Rock Preserve:
🥾Yellow Blazes Loop: 3.8 mile loop; 395 feet of elevation gain
The trailheads leading to the stunning network of hiking trails within Steep Rock Preserve can be found along River Road outside of Washington Depot.
The Yellow Blazes Loop takes you first along an old dirt road that lies elevated above the rambling Shepaug River.
You’ll follow the river as it bends and twists in curling oxbows for about 1.8 miles before reaching an expansive suspension bridge that will allow you to cross above the flowing Shepaug.
Once across you’ll trek for about another .8 miles until reaching the lookout known as Steep Rock. These views are primarily southern facing and are looking down into the river valley making for fantastic photographic opportunities in the early morning or evenings.
From here you’ll follow the trail through a tranquil forest for another 1.3 miles and back to your vehicle.
*Keep in mind that there are trails that follow the banks of the river as you head north, so if you’re a river adorer you may want to consider taking these routes from the lookout back to the parking area.
🥾Clamshell Loop: 2.3 mile loop; 170 feet of elevation gain
This trail is a complement to the longer and more varied Yellow Blazes Loop but offers one incredible highlight that the other trail doesn’t have.
You’ll park along Tunnel Road and make your way in a counterclockwise orientation around this loop.
At about .3 miles into this hike you’ll come across the yawning chasm of a long abandoned railroad tunnel, blasted out of the rocks of a small hill in the wilderness.
The tunnel runs for about 235 feet and begs to be safely explored. Carved out by a crew of Pennsylvania coal miners in 1871 the tunnel is truly a unique local wonder that harkens back to New England’s storied past and the town of Washington’s industrious former years.
Continuing on the trail will see you meander through these happy woods until once again reaching the Shepaug River right around the one mile mark.
The remaining 1.3 miles will hug tightly to the river’s banks and offer up some peaceful sights and sounds until you’re back to your vehicle.
With the enjoyable rigors of a morning hike in your back pocket it’s now high time to indulge in one of a few fine establishments and get yourself some much deserved lunch.
🥙Lunch & Dinner in Washington Depot 🍔
🍔GW Tavern
Once a former Colonial home, situated on the banks of the Shepaug, the George Washington Tavern is named after the United States’ primo presidente and currently boasts a delightful open and inviting setting for delicious food and cocktails.
The building, along with its floor to ceiling fieldstone fireplace dates back to the 1850s and you can feel the history imbued within its exposed timber beams and perfectly antiquated wood floors.
Anything on G.W.Tavern’s menu is worth a try but I would recommend the chicken pot pie. Enjoy a draft craft IPA on the spacious patio in the summer or snuggle up on the coach next the roaring fire with a mulled cider in the winter, the Tavern has you covered year round.
🍕Washington Pizza House
Don’t let the quaint rudiments fool you, the Washington Pizza House is legit.
With an old school Italian eatery ambiance you’ll feel right at home in the House after a long trek in the surrounding hills.
Great pizza, grinders, wings, salads, fountain soda, and a Jukebox!
The staff make you feel like family and the tasty factor will have you returning time and time again as this stop offers the perfect cherry on top of a fantastic day out in Washington Depot.
🍷Spring Hill Vineyards
Visit this art-inspired, family owned winery hidden up a long driveway off Bee Brook road minutes from downtown Washington Depot. Open just noon to 5 on weekends and dogs are allowed!
I loved visiting this gorgeous vineyard where you can sip and walk or get a snack and sit down at one of the fire pits. It’s dreamy in here!
🍎Washington Depot Farm Stop
🍏 Averill Farm
I know, what doesn’t Washington Depot have to make for a perfect day?! Well be sure to incorporate a stop at this gorgeous 260-acre property with fruit orchards, fresh cut flowers, APPLE CIDER DONUTS 😍, local honey, maple syrup and lots more produce in their farm store!
A family farm operated by the Averill family since 1746 – I couldn’t believe this place existed and I had never been after all my trips to Washington Depot. Escape the bustling downtown and drive the super scenic roads that lead you to Averill Farm!
🛍Washington Depot Shopping
📚Hickory Stick Bookshop
Please don’t do yourself, your friends and loved ones the disservice of passing up strolling through the aisles of the centrally located and historically famous Hickory Stick Bookshop.
It’s a perfectly cozy and relaxing setting to sit with a magazine or best seller and reminisce about the day’s adventures over a refreshing drink.
Known locally and internationally for its role in the hit show ‘Gilmore Girls’ the book shop offers not only the best in current and distant classics, but a knowledgeable staff and ideal hangout to boot!
🐶 Depot Dog Boutique
A natural, healthy pet store for cats and dogs – this is a must-stop for me to pick up treats and snacks for Captain before the drive home. 🙂
🎨The Hen’s Nest Gallery
The Hen’s Nest is a fine art gallery and boutique that showcases numerous artists and artisans. In addition to world-class art, The Hen’s Nest has handcrafted jewelry and clothing.
👗 Five Janes
As Litchfield Magazine calls it; “This cute boutique in the center of Washington Depot has clothing, bags, accessories, jewelry, home goods & gifts, and baby items. There is something for everyone at this boutique.”
There are several more shops to pop into amongst the town of Washington and downtown Washington Depot.
This concludes our day trip to the quaint and charming Washington Depot!
I hope you enjoyed it and loved it as much as I do. Check out other CT day trips below! ⤵️
- Adventurous Day Trip to Newtown, CT
- Day Trip to Salisbury, CT
- Day Trip to Kent, CT
- Adventurous Day Trip to Sharon, CT
- Day Trip to Litchfield, CT
Enjoy!
