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Connecticut trails · Vista Trail

Vista Trail

A 2.6-mile out-and-back in Connecticut, with 286 ft of climbing. Reaches Chapman Falls and other viewpoint/waterfall destinations. Managed by the state.

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Length
2.6 mi
Elevation gain
286 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Max grade
28%
Steepest mile
+286 ft
Tread at ≥10% grade
0.9 mi
Shape
out-and-back
Bikes
no
Horses
no
Managed by
State

Elevation profile

170 – 457 ft12

Most of the climbing sits in the final third — 64% of the ascent, between mile 1.7 and mile 2.6. It gives back about 543 ft along the way, so it rolls rather than climbing steadily.

3-D terrain

3-D terrain view of Vista Trail

USGS 3DEP ELEVATION × ESRI WORLD IMAGERY · VERTICAL ×1.5

Reaches

Heads up

Stream ford: expect at least one unbridged crossing.
Sections reported faint or hard to follow — carry a map or download this area offline.

Getting there

Vista Trail junction — parking nearby, restroom. About 33 min drive (20 mi) from Norwich. 41.48323, -72.34043 · directions

Daylight at the trailhead

On October 14, 2026 — the day this page was generated — first light reaches this trailhead at 6:32 a.m., the sun rises at 6:59 a.m. and sets at 6:10 p.m., and the last usable light fades about 6:38 p.m. (EDT) — 11 h 10 min of daylight. At about 2.7 mph plus 30 minutes per 1,000 feet of climbing, the 5.1-mile round trip takes roughly 2 h 11 min, so leaving the trailhead at sunrise puts you back around 9:11 a.m. — 8 h 59 min before sunset.

Loop options

Nearby trails