Guilford, CT
Bluff Head
The quiet southern end of the same blue-blazed ridge as Mount Higby. No views on the wooded climb, then two great viewpoints over the pond at the top. Easy, empty, and worth it.
Drive time
About 35 min (I hit an hour once thanks to construction, so check the roads)
Difficulty
Easy. A short, gentle climb that barely registered. The easiest of my ridge hikes so far.
Distance
About 2 mi round trip to the bluff and back (longer loops available)
Admission
Free — Guilford Land Trust preserve, on the blue-blazed New England Trail
Parking
Easy. Small lot on Route 77, about 4.4 miles north of Route 80. It wasn't full when I went.
Bathrooms
None at the trailhead — go before you come
Picnic
No tables; the move is to eat up top at one of the two viewpoints
Dogs
Yes, on leash
The trip
I finally did this one, and it delivered exactly what I went looking for: quiet. After loving Mount Higby and Chauncey Peak, I wanted the same traprock-cliff payoff closer to home and without the crowds, and Bluff Head is the southern end of the same blue-blazed ridge as Higby. Mount Higby is still my favorite of these, but Bluff Head wins hands down on easy and empty.
The drive from Shelton is normally about 35 minutes. It took me an hour, but that was all construction traffic, not the distance, so check the roads before you leave. Parking is a small lot on Route 77 and it was easy, not full, and the trail was not crowded at all. That was the whole reason I picked this over the New Haven parks, and it held up.
No views the whole way up, then you top out and get two of them at once.
Two honest things about the hike itself. First, it was super easy. Either I'm getting used to these climbs or this one is just gentle, but the short climb barely registered. Second, and this is the real difference from Higby, you do not get the peekaboo views on the way up. The climb is all woods, no teaser glimpses, so don't judge it by the walk up.
Then you top out, and it pays off. There are two great viewpoints at the top, both open cliffs looking south over the pond and the valley rolling out beyond. That's where you sit and eat. There's a Forest and Park caution sign up there about the high cliffs, and it means it, the edge is open with no railings, so I kept well back. Easy hike, empty trail, big view. If you want the drama the whole way up, Higby is still the one, but for a quiet, low-effort payoff, this is a keeper.
From the trail
Photos
The plan
Stop by stop
- 1Trailhead
Route 77 trailhead + the woods climb
Morning · 15-20 min upPark in the small lot on Route 77 and take the direct trail up, marked with light blue blazes with an orange dot. It's short and easy, but it's all woods with no views along the way, so save your judgment for the top.
- 2Lookout
The two viewpoints
At the top · As long as the view holds youThe payoff, and there are two of them. Both are open cliffs at the highest point in Guilford, looking south over Myer Huber Pond and the valley beyond. Pick a spot, eat, take it in. There's a caution sign about the high cliffs up here for good reason, the edge is open with no railings, so keep kids well back.
- 3Hike
The ridge into Northwoods (optional)
If you want more · Adds an hour or moreFrom the bluff you can keep going along the ridge into the Northwoods for a longer loop. Nice if you want to stretch an easy short hike into a real morning.
Rainy swap: Skip the cliff edge if it's wet. The rock gets slick, so save the viewpoints for a dry day.
- 4Farm market
Bishop's Orchards (on the way home)
After the hike · As long as you wantA Guilford farm market with cider, baked goods, ice cream, and pick-your-own in season. A solid family close to the day. There's also a little store about 5 min from the trailhead if you just need a quick drink.
Checking this weekend's weather…
Dad tips
- ▸This is the quiet one. It's a land trust preserve, not a city park, and it was not crowded at all. If that's what you're after, this beats East Rock or West Rock.
- ▸It's easy. A short, gentle climb, the least demanding of my ridge hikes so far.
- ▸Don't judge it on the walk up. Unlike Higby, there are no peekaboo views on the climb, it's all woods, and then two great viewpoints hit you at the top.
- ▸Open cliffs, no railings, and a Forest and Park sign that literally warns about them. Keep kids well back from the edge. I'd call it a seven-and-up.
- ▸Follow the light blue blazes with an orange dot for the direct route. It's the southern end of the same New England Trail as Mount Higby.
- ▸Small lot on Route 77, about 4.4 miles north of Route 80. Parking was easy, but there was road construction in the area, so give yourself a buffer.
- ▸Dog friendly on a leash. No bathroom at the trailhead, so everyone goes before you leave.
What to bring
- ✓Sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes with grip
- ✓Water for everyone (the bluff is exposed)
- ✓A hat and sunscreen for the open cliff
- ✓Your phone for the two viewpoints
- ✓A small backpack so your hands are free on the climb
- ✓Cash or a card for Bishop's Orchards after
Best time to visit
Fall for the foliage off the cliff, or spring and fall for cooler climbs. The bluff is open and exposed, so bring water in summer.
While you're out there
Nearby stops
Bakeries
Bishop's Orchards
Guilford farm market with cider, baked goods, ice cream, and pick-your-own in season. About 15-20 min from the trailhead.
Keep exploring
Related adventures
Bigger HikesBerlin, CT
Ragged Mountain
The biggest challenge on my list. A rugged traprock loop with real rock scrambles and bare-cliff views down onto Wassel Reservoir and Hart Ponds, in Berlin. About 35 minutes away. Next up.
Easy HikesBethany, CT
Beacon Cap
A quiet, all-woods loop to a striking glacial boulder in the Naugatuck State Forest. Good exercise and total solitude, but no views the whole way except the one you climb the rock for. Honestly, not my favorite.
Bigger HikesHamden, CT
West Rock Ridge
My favorite hike, just ahead of Mount Higby, and it's the closest real ridge to home. A busy family pond at the bottom with fishing and a bathroom, then you climb and the ridge is all yours, quiet enough to hear the chickadees. About 20 minutes away.