AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Balf Nature Preserve

Cedar Mountain–Cedarcrest Preserve Viewpoint, 3 viewpoints

1.8 mi · ▲ 500 ft · 51 min

Cedar Mountain–Cedarcrest Preserve Viewpoint, 3 viewpoints is a 1.8-mile out-and-back in Balf Nature Preserve near Newington, CT. The route passes Cedar Mountain and Balf Nature Preserve Viewpoint before reaching Cedarcrest Preserve Viewpoint at the turnaround, 0.7 miles in. It climbs 500 ft, with sections as steep as 38% grade. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi108 – 341 ft · steepest grade: 38%2.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.70068, -72.71373
Nearest town Newington, CT
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Cedar Mountain–Cedarcrest Preserve Viewpoint, 3 viewpoints

1.8 mi · ▲ 500 ft · 51 min

Elevation 109–342 ft

Out & Back · Balf Nature Preserve

Trailhead: 41.70068, -72.71373

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:49 AM · sunset 8:07 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 150 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  3. 400 ftPass Cedar Mountain.
  4. 50 ftPass Balf Nature Preserve Viewpoint.
  5. 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
  6. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  7. 100 ftTurn right, heading N.
  8. 0.3 miTurn right, heading NE.
  9. 450 ftPass Cedarcrest Preserve Viewpoint.
  10. 200 ftSharp right, heading NW.
  11. 50 ftReach Cedar Mountain, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 50 ftSharp left, heading NW.
  13. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
  14. 100 ftSharp left, heading E.
  15. 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
  16. 0.1 miSharp left, heading SE.
  17. 0.5 miTurn left, heading S.
  18. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  19. 450 ftBear right, heading SW.
  20. 500 ftTurn right, heading S.
  21. 450 ftTurn right, heading S.
  22. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  23. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/cedar-mountain-cedarcrest-preserve-viewpoint-out-back-3-viewpoints-3-km

Trail surface

3% dirt97% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:49 AMSunset 8:07 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~13 min). Leave by 7:34 PM for the 8:07 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

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Hikes near Newington, Connecticut