12 Connecticut Mountains to Hike with Beautiful Views!
Did you know that there were so many mountains in Connecticut?! Ok, there aren’t as many (and they’re not as tall) as other New England states but I’m going to show you 12 mountains in Connecticut with exceptional views that leave you wanting for nothing. 🙂
I’ve lived in CT most of my life (with the exception of a few years in the neighboring Berkshires) and since I LOVE to hike, I have uncovered the best views in the state which are naturally on CT’s tallest mountains. I’ve hiked every single mountain on this list!
If you’re googling ‘mountains in Connecticut’ you’re likely wondering – are there any mountains to hike? Where are the best views in the state?!
Once you come to this page, you will find everything you need to satisfy your “I wanna climb a mountain in Connecticut” sweet tooth! 🙂 🍪⛰
Details like length, difficulty, elevation gain, special features (good for sunrise or sunset?!), where to eat after 🍪☕️ and even a link that will take you to the trailhead parking lot are all here for you.
And if you are here just looking for great views and don’t necessarily want a long hike then check out my post of 10 short hikes in CT with amazing views. (It doesn’t have to be a mountain to be a great hike!)
List of 12 mountains in Connecticut to hike! 🥾
1. Round Mountain Lookout, Taconic
Never heard of this mountain in CT?! Neither had I! Up until a couple of years ago.
You have a couple options for checking out Round Mountain. You can do the short trail linked above that I made on AllTrails. Or, you can do this 8+ mile loop that links together Round Mountain and Bear Mountain! Sounds like a mountainous adventure. 😍
- Miles: 1.35 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 430 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: Parking areas to pull off along East St right at the border of CT & MA
- Special features: Views facing east – perfect for a sunrise hike! 🌅
- Where to eat after: If you’re heading south into CT head to Sweet Williams Coffee Shop & Bakery in Salisbury!
2. Bear Mountain, Salisbury
I’m sure you’ve heard of this one before! It’s Connecticut’s tallest peak at 2,354 feet.
There are multiple ways to hike to the top of Bear Mountain so click the link and decide if you’d like the 6 mile route or 2.9 mile route. If you’re looking for mountains in Connecticut then maybe you’re looking for a challenge so I will outline the details for the 6 mile hike below.
- Miles: 6.1 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 1,683 feet elevation gain
- Level: Hard (small scramble section)
- Parking: Navigate here: 42.02876, -73.42887 (parking lot on Rt 41/Under Mountain Rd)
- Special features: Highest mountain in CT with views facing east, great for sunrise! 🌅Haven’t tried one here yet 😍
- Where to eat after: After hiking CT’s tallest, you’ve earned it! Stop at LaBonne’s Market for an array of prepared foods or order a sub or sandwich. Love their treats here too 🍪
3. Cobble Mountain Loop, Kent
A beautiful view of the Catskills and a tough climb in the enchanting Macedonia Brook State Park. Just the drive in here is a treat.
At 2,300 acres it’s truly a park like and peaceful setting from the moment you drive down Macedonia Brook Road with the flowing brook running along side the road.
This looks like a great spot to camp but they don’t allow dogs and I only go if mine can come too. 👀
There are two routes to get to the lookout; a 3.7 mile loop or a 6.8 mile loop that takes you around the whole park. I will outline the shorter loop below!
- Miles: 3.7 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 856 feet elevation gain
- Level: Hard
- Parking: Medium lot on left along Macedonia Brook Road
- Special features: Stream crossings and epic view from Cobble Mountain into the Catskills
- Where to eat after: Head back into downtown Kent and check out Kent Pizza Garden 🍕or my favorite 45 on Main Coffee & Chocolate 🍫☕️ If you are looking for a nice meal (dinner) then check out Kingsley Tavern in downtown Kent!
4. Talcott Mountain, Simsbury
This is a very popular mountain and place to hike in CT. Yet it’s never super crowded when I go! I also don’t go at noon on a weekend day. 🙂
There is so much to explore here, I wrote a post detailing 4 different hikes you can choose from! ➡️ 4 Routes up Talcott Mountain ⬅️
So if you enjoy more solitude on your hikes I suggest going during the week or early on the weekend!
What makes Talcott Mountain so popular is not just the multiple incredible lookouts (facing west) but the Heublein Tower at the top!
Here’s some history of this 165-foot tower; “The structure you see here today is the fourth tower built on this property. In 1810, Daniel Wadsworth built a tower at the top of this mountain, near his estate, which was called Montevideo. Wadsworth was the founder of the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut, and one of the very first Americans to be considered a patron of the arts.” FriendsofHeubleinTower.org
The tower is open for visits in the fall but it’s unclear about the hours for winter. Click here for more info.
- Miles: You have two options; 2.8 mile trail or 5.2 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 439 to 846 feet elevation gain (depending which you choose)
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: Large parking lot
- Special features: Multiple ledges and views facing west (great for sunset! 🌅) plus Heublein Tower
- Where to eat after: oh boy, you’re in cafe heaven over here! Depending on which direction you’re heading after the hike – I love Dom’s Coffee in Avon or Popover Eatery in Simsbury.
5. Mohawk Mountain, East Cornwall
A popular ski mountain in the winter, Mohawk Mountain (located just outside of Litchfield) has incredible and almost 360-degree views at the top.
Now, don’t be surprised if you see a car or two at the top – you can drive all the way up to the top if you’d like. But, why would you?! Unless of course you’re too tired to hike or not able and in that case this is the perfect mountain in Connecticut for you.
Whether you hike or drive, this is a lesser known and removed area so you’ll enjoy a peaceful nature setting and picture perfect views at the top.
- Miles: 4 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 803 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: Pull off spots along Camp Rd
- Special features: Views from top of Mohawk Mountain (almost 360!)
- Where to eat after: There is not much close by here. I am usually heading back through Litchfield to get home from here so I would choose to stop somewhere there! So many cafe choices I have a bunch of places to eat in Litchfield at bottom of this article here!
6. Haystack Mountain, Norfolk
The main attraction of Haystack Mountain is the view from the tower at the top. It is truly one of the best views in the state especially for being not so long of a hike!
Linked above in the title is a post I wrote outlining 3 different routes up to Haystack Mountain where you’ll find the tower. (Below I write the details for the longest route, the 2.28 mile loop).
Located in Haystack Mountain State Park the 34 foot high stone tower at the summit of Haystack Mountain (1716 feet above sea level) has views into the Berkshires, peaks in Massachusetts, New York, and the Green Mountains of Vermont.
- Miles: 2.28 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 459 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: at the main entrance of Haystack Mountain Park, spots along side after gate
- Special features: Loops you around Haystack Pond and up to Haystack Tower with 360 degree views
- Where to eat after: Head back down into downtown Norfolk and grab a bite at Berkshire Country Store! Awesome breakfast and lunch sandwiches. (lattes, too!)
7. Pine Mountain, Barkhamsted
Located in a remote part of CT, not far from the Massachusetts border, is Pine Mountain which is next to Indian Council caves (another great hike!).
I made a trail that links together Pine Mountain with Indian Council Caves which makes for the perfect 5-mile day hike in CT!.
- Miles: 4.2 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 492 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: Spots to park along Pine Mountain Road off E Hartland Rd
- Special features: Lookout facing east, great for sunrise! 🌅
- Where to eat after: There is not much immediately around here but if you have time head to Grass Roots for ice cream and lunch or Lox, Stock, and Bagels for breakfast
8. Ragged Mountain, Berlin
Finally, a location that’s not in the northwest corner of CT! 🙂 Located in central CT in Ragged Mountain Memorial Preserve, there are lots of trails to choose from in this extensive preserve.
I love the Blue & Red Blazed Loop which will take you all around the perimeter of Ragged Mountain where you’ll experience at least 3 amazing lookouts.
Going clockwise on the loop, you’l first hit a lookout facing east (known as Sunrock, one of the best sunrise spots in CT!), one facing north (known as Southington Rock), and one west (this one doesn’t have an actual name 🥴).
Outlined below are the details for this 5.6 mile loop allowing you to see the best that Ragged Mountain has to offer!
- Miles: 5.6 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 843 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: lots of spots to park along West Lane
- Special features: 3 different lookouts including Sunrock (0.7 miles in) which faces east and great for sunrise! 🌅
- Where to eat after: I like to head a short distance to Miel Coffee which makes the best lattes with honey and local milk! 🍯 The owner is full of knowledge and loves sharing along with top ingredients for there food & drinks.
9. Case Mountain, Manchester
Yay, another mountain that’s not in the northwestern corner! I love that we have a variety here so no matter where you’re located there is, hopefully, a hike within an hour from you!
I wrote a whole hiking guide for Case Mountain. There are lots of trails to take here but I really enjoyed the 4.4 mile loop where you hit the view and walk through the canopy forest setting.
Enjoy the view looking west toward the Hartford skyline and beyond!
- Miles: 4.4 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 449 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: medium lot off of Line Street
- Special features: View facing west, see Hartford skyline in distance 🌆
- Where to eat after: I loved heading to Labyrinth Brewing Company which is dog-friendly 🐶 and has food trucks along with great beer for a post hike snack!
10. Peak Mountain via Metacomet Trail, Granby
Peak Mountain, also known as Copper Mountain, is a traprock mountain in East Granby along the Metacomet Trail.
The initial climb is steep but once at the stop you’ll be walking along the ridge of the mountain with views along your left.
The main lookout from Peak Mountain is only about a mile in. I often turn around after this especially if just coming here for sunset.
- Miles: 3.7 miles out & back
- Elevation Gain: 511 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: Parking alongside Newgate Rd at base of mountain/trail
- Special features: Lookout facing west, great for sunset! 🌅
- Where to eat after: Grass Roots in Granby for ice cream and lunch or Lox, Stock, and Bagels for breakfast
11. Bread Loaf Mountain, Cornwall
The best hike and view from Bread Loaf Moountain is from the Pine Knob Loop trail.
This is one of my favorite hikes in the state both for it’s views (2 lookouts along the loop) and the waterfall cascades that you’ll hike along.
- Miles: 2.5 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 770 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: Large lot off Route 7
- Special features: Hike along Hatch Brook Falls and see 2 beautiful lookouts, one facing east
- Where to eat after: Surprisingly, there’s not a lot close by except the Cornwall Country Store (I haven’t been yet!) or, you can head out further to Mountain Side Cafe in Falls Village
12. Pond Mountain, Kent
The last mountain in Connecticut on our list! You’ll love the loop up to Pond Mountain and around Fuller Pond! Located right outside of Macedonia Brook Park in Kent, this is a beautiful part of the state and a tranquil hike.
If you decide to visit Kent to do this hike check out my post of 24 fun things to do in Kent, CT!
While the view faces partly west it’s not the best place to see the sunset.
- Miles: 3 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 613 feet elevation gain
- Level: Moderate
- Parking: Large lot off Fuller Mountain Road
- Special features: Walk around Fuller Pond with views of pond and up to Pond Mountain with views at top
- Where to eat after: Head into downtown Kent and check out Kent Pizza Garden 🍕or my favorite 45 on Main Coffee & Chocolate 🍫☕️ If you are looking for a nice meal (dinner) then check out Kingsley Tavern in downtown Kent!
I hope you enjoyed this list of mountains in Connecticut to hike!
For detailed guides I wrote on some of the hikes featured here click the links below:
Keep climbing and have fun out there! 🙂
🐶💗🥾🐾
