Rattlesnake Mountain

Trail has some lovely views, some steep up and down sections but no actual rock scrambling required, and if you plan ahead you can find the elaborate rock etchings done over 200 years ago by patients of an 18th century small pox inoculation center! Also, when I went most recently, somebody built a pretty sick rope swing in the woods. Not sure how safe it is, but if it doesn't crap out on you it's a nice little adrenaline rush if you start your swing at the tree branch. Now for some tips to get the most out of your hike:

Pro tip #1: if you're doing this as an after work hike, park yourself at Alliance Occupational Health and catch the trailhead across the street. Can't speak as to whether this would be ok during their normal business hours tho.

Pro tip#2: go to the local library where they can provide you with a map on how to find hospital rock, just off the trail, with stone carvings made 200 years ago. -side tip- bring flour with you to dust the rocks with so you can make out thyme carvings better for pictures

Pro tip #3: Bugspray.

Great hike! Easy access from Rt 6 and the trail is well marked and pleasant to walk. Definitely good balance of flat traverse and some nice steeps to get the blood flowing. Cool history to the place as well and the payoff view is pretty spectacular. At the end there are some cool rocks to sit on and during COCID it felt spacious enough to be near people but not close to them. This place is packed on a nice weekend day, but off peak it's cool. Highly recommend!

Really nice section of the Metacomet trail in central CT. Do not go to the address in the Yelp listing. There are two entrances I'm aware of: Rt6 in Farmington (close to 200 Colt Hwy, look on google maps for the parking area) and 372 in Plainville (across from 440 New Britain Ave). It's a 2.8 mile hike from 372 to Rattlesnake Cliff and the den while it's 1.3 miles from the Rt6 entrance and 4.2 miles from entrance to entrance. The hike between Pinnacle Rock and the Rattlesnake cliffs is pretty technical so if you're most interested in seeing the den/cave I would recommend starting from the Rt6 entrance. There is an old missile base about 1.5 miles from the 372 entrance but not much to see so don't be too excited. Bring your bug spray!

Great day hike, or rock climbing. Come check it out!

Great hike! Challenging but still a good choice for a novice. Parking was difficult but we can't wait to go back!