In this week’s Nature column, Peter Marteka visits Macedonia Brook State Park to view the autumn foliage along the Macedonia Ridge Trail in Kent.
The Bottom Line: One of the most difficult trails in the state leads to some of the most beautiful views in Connecticut across into New York and the distant Catskill and Taconic Mountains.
Difficulty Level: Difficult to strenuous.
Total Mileage: Total mileage along Macedonia Ridge Trail is a little over 2.5 miles or 5 out-and-back. Visit https://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/stateparks/maps/macedonia.pdf for a map.
Directions: Follow Route 341 west from the intersection of Route 341 and Route 7. Turn right on Macedonia Brook Road. Stay left into the park and follow to Weber Road or a place you feel comfortable ascending to the overlook.
Pet-friendly? Leash and clean up after your pets.
The first people I met along the Macedonia Ridge Trail were a pair of hikers struggling to get their scared dog down a rocky chasm. A little farther, a man photographing the fall foliage offered me some tips. As I descended, a couple from Germany was making the difficult ascent, wiping sweat from their brows as we exchanged a few words and looks. And finally, a man who spends his time hiking the national parks across the country with his son.
“Whew! How much farther to the top?” he asked. “I’ve been all over the country and this is one of the most difficult climbs.”
Welcome to the Macedonia Brook State Park and the climb — or perhaps journey — to the top of Cobble Mountain. It’s one of the most spectacular views in Connecticut and one of the most difficult ascents, from the Macedonia Brook valley pretty much straight up to the overlook along a rugged trail.
I started my journey along the northern end of the ridge trail, which is marked with blue blazes. There is a parking area along Weber Road at the southern end of Hilltop Pond. The ridge trail eventually connects to the orange trail for those looking for an easier trek through the park. The orange trail is bordered by an impressive 10-to-12-foot high stone wall and winds its way through the heart of the 2,300-acre park.
From the orange path there are three ways to reach the top of Cobble Mountain. The first is to follow the blue trail, which can be difficult to traverse and only experienced hikers should travel. Visitors can bypass this and follow the orange path to a green trail that takes visitors directly up to the northernmost view. But it’s no easy climb.
The northernmost view is beautiful, with a look south into the hills and mountains of Kent. The ledge is a great spot to take a break and picnic or snack while taking in the splendor of an autumn in New England.
And you will need the break. The next segment is a strenuous — sometimes on all fours — climb to the top as you have to pass through a huge rock ridge to get to the main overlook. Visitors can bypass this by remaining on the orange trail and ascending to the overlook along the white “Cobble Mountain Trail.” But then you miss the first overlook.
And of course all this hard work is rewarded at the main overlook — really one of the most spectacular in Connecticut, with a view that is mostly of New York out to the distant Catskill and Taconic Mountains. The viewscape is filled with mostly woods and mountains, with only a few scattered farms and houses to intrude into the natural world. And the kaleidoscope of autumn colors make it a must-see during peak foliage. But the beauty of Cobble Mountain is locked in pretty much any season you visit.
Peter Marteka can be reached at pmarteka@courant.com.
