Daytripping in Middlefield

Hiking Mount Higby

A quick trip to the top and it's instant gratification

Simon Gutierrez

Though easily accessible, Mount Higby isn't too-widely used. Hikers often enjoy a traffic-free scramble to the top.

Just off Route 66 in Middlefield, the trail to Mount Higby starts on rocky, but level ground. Pretty soon, the trail gets a little trickier. Hikers have to do some scrambling up the rocks but overall, this hike is challenging — not intimidating.

Depending on your pace, it takes between 20 minutes and a half hour to get to the top where the view is an instant reward.

Mt. Higby is part of what they call a traprock ridge. It runs for miles in both directions. Here at the top, we're about 800 feet up, and it's about 300 feet straight down.

Even on a hazy day, it's a hike and a view almost anyone can take in — and an easy escape from the city below.

Directions

From the North: Take I-91 South to exit #17 then follow the EAST MAIN STREET exit #67, Turn Left onto E MAIN ST. Merge onto CT-66 E. Park on left side of road.

From the South: Take I-91 North to Middletown Exit 18. Follow Route 66 approximately 1/2 mile, park on left side of the road.