Mowhawk State Forest Trails

Directions:

From the South: Take Route 8 north, Exit 42, (Harwinton Exit). Proceed west on Route 118 to the center of Litchfield, and then go north on Route 63 to the rotary in Goshen Center. Take Route 4 west from Goshen approximately 4 miles to the entrance on the left for Mohawk State Forest.

From The North: Take Route 7 south onto Route 63 south to the rotary in Goshen, then Route 4 west to Mohawk State Forest.

General Description:

Nestled on the western edge of Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, 3,351 acre Mohawk State Forest remains one of the few state forests where hunting is prohibited. A network of old forest roads and trails are open to mountain biking, hiking, horse-back riding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The Mohawk Trail, formerly the Appalachian Trail, one of the state's blue-blazed hiking trails, passes through the forest and connects with the Appalachian Trail in Falls Village and Sharon.

Forest highlights include: Mohawk State Park; site of Connecticut’s largest downhill ski area, Black Spruce Bog; a type that is rare in southern New England and Mohawk Mountain,

Mohawk Mountain rises 1,683 feet above its surroundings, offering a 360-degree panoramic view from its summit tower. You can see several mountain peaks including Bear Mountain (NY), Race Mountain and Mount Everett (MA) and Caanan Mountain, Cream Hill and Wetuwanchu Mountain (CT).

The Trails:

Wadhams Road: The spine of Mohawk State Forest. It north/south for 2.8 miles through the forest. It links to forest headquarters in the north and Eli bunker Road to the South. Old forest fire roads and trails ideal for mountain biking branch off of this "spine" in all directions along it's length. It could take a day of adventure to discover and ride them all.

Mohawk Mountain Tower Trail

There are several old fire towers on Mohawk mountain that offer fantastic views. Mohawk Mountain was one of the many lookout and bonfire vantage points for the local Algonquian tribes who had banded together in defense against the Mohawk Indians. Today, people still make the trip to the top for it's spectacular panoramic views.

The 2.7-mile climb to the summit on gravel state forest road (Toumey Road) begins off of Route 4. It travels to the Fire Tower on the 1,661 foot summit. There are picnic facilities and a paved parking area for motorists who arrive on the gravel road. You will be rewarded with 360 degree panoramic views. You can see west to the Catskills in New York, west and north well into the Berkshire range, south and east to the surrounding Litchfield Hills. This a prime leaf peeping spot in the fall.

Mohawk State Forest Ski Trails

Mohawk Mountain Ski Area is a private corporation working in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection at Mohawk State Park. Mohawk State Forest has cross-country trails for snowshoeing and xc country skiing at the top of the mountain but they are not maintained or connected with the Ski Area. Access is obtained off of Rt. 4 in Cornwall CT.

Black Spruce Bog Trail

While you are here, take the time to visit the Black Spruce Bog. About halfway up the mountain on Toumey Road, Mohawk Mountain Road comes in from the left. Follow Mohawk Mountain Road a short distance to a trail opposite park headquarters; it leads to the Black Spruce Bog, of a type rare in southern New England. The trail passes through mountain laurel and hemlock, then reaches a boardwalk built over the peat bottom. Many unusual plant species such as the carnivorous Pitcher Plant along with sundews, cranberry, creeping snowberry and the Black Spruce and Tamarack trees, more common in northern climates grow here.

Mohawk Pond Loop Trail

A small pond on the east side of the mountain, is stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout. In winter, it is fished through the ice.

An interesting loop can be made by combining Hubbell Road, Wadhams Road and Rock Box Road.

Hubbell Road

A doubletrack trail (Hubbell Road) begins on Eli Bunker Road at the southern end of the forest. Head north on Hubbell Road for three quarters of a mile towards Mohawk Pond. At the intersection, turn east onto a dirt road (Camp Road) to access swimming at Mohawk Pond.

Rock Box Road

To the east of Hubbell Road a scenic parallel trail links Eli Bunker to Wadhams Road and travels along the East Branch of the Shepaug River. The first half of the mountain bike ride along the river is fairly flat and then it climbs uphill over exposed rocks.

Historical Note:

Cornwall:

The nearby quaint village of Cornwall, incorporated in 1740, is located in northwest Connecticut between the Mohawk and Housatonic state forests. Today Cornwall and its related hamlets are dotted with antique stores and the workshops of craftspeople and artists.

Litchfield County is noted for it's dense concentration of covered bridges.

West Cornwall Covered Bridge:

To find Connecticut's most photogenic covered bridge, at the intersection of Route 7 and the intersection of Route 128 in town of West Cornwall, head east on Route 128 to the bridge. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The West Cornwall Covered Bridge, built in 1864, spans the Housatonic River at West Cornwall. This historic, barn red bridge is one of only three remaining historic covered bridges in Connecticut.

Just a bit farther south of West Cornwall on Route 7, you'll find two additional covered bridges. The Kent Falls Covered Bridge is located on the right on Route 7 in Kent Falls State Park. Travelling a bit further south you'll come to the charming, rustic Bulls Bridge (circa 1842) which spans the Housatonic River.

For More Information:

State Forest Website: Connecticut DEEP

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