Old meets new on the Appalachian-Mohawk Trails Loop, combining a section of the current Appalachian Trail in Connecticut with the former AT, now called the Mohawk Trail.
Region: Northeast (Connecticut)
Length: ~37 miles (4 days)
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
- The trails head straight uphill without switchbacks, making the rocky climb and descent for Outlook Point especially challenging.
- Long roadwalk on the Mohawk Trail.
- The AT is heavily used with stone steps easing some climbs and descents. The Mohawk Trail is less compacted but still easy to follow.
Logistical Difficulty: Easy
- Loop trail done in four days so resupply not needed.
- Plentiful water.
- Overnight sites well spaced.
How to Get to the AT-Mohawk Trails Loop
The easiest access points for the loop:
Mohawk Trail crossing at the entrance to Mohawk State Forest on Route 4 in Cornwall
Mohawk Trail crossing at Routes 7 and 4 in Sharon
Appalachian Trail crossing at Routes 7 and 112 in Salisbury
The Mohawk Trail has several smaller parking areas, and parking areas on both trails can be found at the Connecticut Forest & Park Association trail map found here.
Hartford, CT, is about 40 miles from the Mohawk State Forest parking area on Route 4 in Cornwall, CT, and New York City is about 100 miles from the Routes 7 and 4 parking area in Sharon, CT.
About the AT-Mohawk Loop
The loop doesn’t have epic climbs and views, but it does have steady ups and downs and many roadwalks, including one for about three miles on Popple Swamp Road. The best views are at Outlook Point near the summit of Barrack Mountain (1,276 feet) and on Red Mountain (1,651 feet) although both trails have good limited views.
The Red Brook waterfalls in Dean’s Ravine are impressive and camping at the sanctioned tentsite in the ravine is among the high points of the hike.
The Mohawk Trail is part of the Connecticut blue-blazed trail system maintained by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, and like many trails in Connecticut the Mohawk Trail passes through state forests when possible and carefully treads on private land with landowners’ permission. Short relocations have moved the Mohawk Trail off some roads, but a big blow to the trail was a landowner’s request to move the trail off private property, resulting in the long Popple Swamp roadwalk. The CFPA is trying to get the trail off Popple Swamp Road and back into the woods.
Hiking the AT-Mohawk Loop
The Appalachian Trail in northern Connecticut followed what is now called the Mohawk Trail until 1988, when the AT was moved to its current path to avoid frequent roadwalks. The Mohawk Trail has one 3-mile-long roadwalk and several smaller roadwalks along its ~25.7 mile path. The ~12-mile relocated AT has two road crossings and one short roadwalk.
I hiked the loop over four days in two sections, both times parking at the large lot at the entrance to Mohawk State Forest on Route 4 in Cornwall. My first hike in March followed the Mohawk Trail south before connecting with the AT and heading north to the short roadwalk at the junction of Routes 7 and 112. Because the trail had icy sections I decided to return when the ice melted rather than attempt climbing the steep and probably icy trail up and down the Outlook. I returned in April to a dry and ice-free trail from Route 4 in Cornwall north to Routes 7 and 112 in Salisbury.
After parking in March at the entrance to Mohawk State Forest on Route 4 in Cornwall I followed the trail south, climbing a small hill, descending and then climbing again easily to the top of the Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, where the Mohawk Trail crosses ski trails. I chatted briefly with skiers who just came off the lift.
The trail heads downhill from the ski area and follows a short roadwalk before heading back into the woods through Cathedral Pines, a forest of old-growth white pine and hemlock trees that were mostly destroyed by a tornado in July 1989.
The trail emerges back onto a road, winding through farms and forest before beginning the 3-mile walk on Popple Swamp Road to the Housatonic River and Cornwall Bridge. There’s a liquor store and market on the eastern side of the bridge and a convenience store on the western side.
The Mohawk Trail follows Routes 7 and 4 across Cornwall Bridge and bears right on Route 7 after the bridge. The trail heads back into the woods just after the split with Route 4. From there it is a straight uphill climb to Pine Knob and the Appalachian Trail.
The difference between the AT and the Mohawk Trail is apparent immediately: where the Mohawk Trail is lightly traveled and at times it’s hard to tell there’s a trail the AT is heavily traveled and well-worn.
The AT also receives a lot of attention, evident by impressive stone steps that make the climbs and descents easier.
The walk to the Belter’s Bump campsite traverses low ridges, passing three camping areas along the way.
After passing Belter’s Bump the trail descends to Route 7, and crosses the road to a short walk to a large hiker parking area at the junction of Routes 7 and 112.
The trail crosses Route 7 again and winds through land around Housatonic Valley Regional High School before connecting to the northern terminus of the Mohawk Trail, which crosses Route 7 again and begins a steep climb up to Outlook Point.
Outlook Point may be only slightly higher than 1,000 feet but it’s not an easy hike with a loaded backpack. The rocky trail rises sharply to the Outlook, an opening on rock slabs with views to the west, and it’s a good spot to sit, snack, and relax after a steep climb. Especially because the descent is just as steep, dropping sharply along rock ledges.
After descending the Outlook the trail passes through Dean’s Ravine, where it follows Red Brook before climbing out of the ravine along an impressive stretch of waterfalls. This is a good place to fill up with water if you’re heading to Wickwire Shelter.
The trail from the ravine to Wickwire is flat and an easy hike. The CFPA map shows Wickwire Road running behind the shelter, and because of the apparent road access I was concerned that it might be a party spot. But Wickwire appears to be a little-used forest road and the shelter and area around it are nice.
The final leg of the hike goes up and down Red Mountain, at 1,651 feet the highest point of the loop. It’s an easy hike and there’s a view of undisturbed forest on the east side of the mountain.
When to Hike the AT-Mohawk Loop
Spring: Snow is typically gone by late March, but ice can linger on trails, as it did when I hiked. Bugs usually aren’t a problem in March and April, but they are out in May. April is the sweet spot for a spring backpacking trip in this area, and you might see early AT thru-hikers in Connecticut.
Summer: Buggy, wet, and sometimes uncomfortably hot and humid. AT thru-hikers are sure to be out in force, but the Mohawk Trail will be quieter.
Fall: Leaves begin to change color, the bugs are mostly gone, and the temperature can be cool and comfortable. I recommend hiking midweek for the most solitude.
The AT-Mohawk Terrain
Typical rocky Connecticut terrain, with ups and downs over low ridges.
Both trails shun switchbacks and head straight uphill, and the rocky climb and descent of Outlook Point is challenging with a full backpack.
The trail between Cesar Brook and Sharon Mountain campsites has impressive rock steps.
Red Mountain (1,652 feet) on the Mohawk Trail is the highest point on the loop.
Logistics: Permits, Camping, Water
Permits: Permits aren’t needed to hike either trail, but they are needed to stay at the one campsite and three shelters on the Mohawk Trail. Permit information can be found here.
Camping: Shelters and tentsites are nicely spaced along the loop, with the best sites on the AT.
AT Sites South to north:
Cesar Brook: Tentsites, bear box, box privy, wash pit, nearby stream on the AT north of the site. Recommended.
Pine Swamp: Closed until further notice because of hazards from dead trees caused by an infestation of the invasive spongy moth. Shelter, tentsites, group site, bear box, wash pit, enclosed privy. Water is a short walk behind the shelter.
Sharon Mountain: Tentsites, bear box, box privy, wash pit. Nearby stream south of the site on the AT. Highly recommended.
Belter’s Bump: Tentsites, group site, bear box, wash pit, box privy. Water is from a spring a short walk south on the AT. Avoid if possible. Tentsites are small and it’s hard to find a level spot for a tent.
Mohawk Trail Sites South to North:
Mohawk State Forest Shelters 2 and 3: Both are five-minute walks from roads in Mohawk State Forest. No water sources, privy, or bear box. Avoid both shelters if possible.
Wickwire Shelter (also called the Cream Hill Shelter): Shelter, space for tents; no privy or bear box. The water source behind the shelter is shallow and it’s hard to fill a water pouch without stirring up sediment so it’s better to fill up at water sources a short distance north and south of the shelter. Permit required. The shelter is worn and could use an overhaul; I recommend setting up a tent.
Dean’s Ravine: Limited tent spots alongside Red Brook. Water is available from the brook; no privy or bear box. Permit required. The site is close to a paved road but it does not appear to suffer from overuse. Highly recommended for a night’s stay.
Water: Water is plentiful on both trails. I carried a liter and filled up at the water sources along the loop.
Route-Finding: Both trails are well-blazed and easy to follow.
Know Before You Go
Solitude: The Appalachian Trail can be very busy as thru-hikers pass through Connecticut from April to September. The Mohawk Trail is mainly used by day hikers, but because the shelters are close to roads they can be full on weekends in the summer and fall. In early March and April when I hiked midweek I saw only two people out for a day hike.
Clockwise or Counterclockwise?: I hiked clockwise, and was glad for my choice. Going clockwise meant I walked downhill for about a half-mile at the end of the Popple Swamp roadwalk rather than face a tiresome uphill climb on the road. And the camping spots lined up better for me on a clockwise hike.
Parking: The main parking areas are at the Mohawk Trail crossing on Route 4 at the entrance to Mohawk State Forest in Cornwall; the Mohawk Trail crossing north of the Routes 7 and 4 junction west of the Housatonic River in Sharon; and the Appalachian Trail crossing east of the Routes 7 and 122 junction in Salisbury. All three parking areas can be found on the CFPA interactive map here and on Google Maps.
Transportation: Driving your own car is the only practical way to get to the loop. When I hiked a half loop in March I was able to get an Uber back to my car, but service is spotty.
Cell Reception: Good throughout the loop.
Trail Guides: I used the Connecticut Walk Book guide for the Mohawk Trail and the Appalachian Trail Massachusetts-Connecticut guide for the AT. The AT guidebook can be purchased here and the Connecticut Walk Book is available here.
Bear Canisters: All the Appalachian Trail campsites on the loop have bear boxes. The campsites on the Mohawk Trail do not have bear boxes, and using a bear can or properly hanging food is strongly recommended.