The Preserve Viewpoint–Lake Rockview, 5 lakes
6 mi · ▲ 548 ft · 2 hr 16 min
The Preserve Viewpoint–Lake Rockview, 5 lakes is a 6-mile out-and-back in The Preserve near Centerbrook, CT. The route passes The Preserve Viewpoint, Crystal Lake and Lake Rockview before reaching Chalkers Millpond at the turnaround, 3 miles in. It climbs 548 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 20/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
The Preserve Viewpoint–Lake Rockview, 5 lakes
6 mi · ▲ 548 ft · 2 hr 16 min
Elevation 26–208 ft
Out & Back · The Preserve
Trailhead: connector · 41.33304, -72.41606
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 6:52 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 500 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading S.
- 150 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 250 ftSharp right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 250 ftBear left, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading S.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.2 miPass The Preserve Viewpoint.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading S.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 50 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading S.
- 350 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
- 100 ftBear left, heading S.
- 200 ftPass Crystal Lake.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 450 ftTurn right onto Old Back Highway, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 450 ftBear left, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 250 ftPass Lake Rockview.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 350 ftPass Chalkers Millpond.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 400 ftReach The Preserve Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 400 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftBear right, heading E.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading W.
- 450 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading SW.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading NW.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 450 ftBear right, heading N.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 350 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading SE.
- 200 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 150 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 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 surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~33 min). Leave by 6:00 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from connector Trailhead
- The Preserve Viewpoint & Crystal Lake 4.9 mi · ▲ 464 ft
- Jacobs Peak–Chalkers Millpond, 3 lakes 4.8 mi · ▲ 637 ft
- Ingham Hill & The Preserve Viewpoint 2.6 mi · ▲ 296 ft
- Prospect Hill & Lower Ingham Pond 3.8 mi · ▲ 402 ft
- Ingham Ponds Loop 4 mi · ▲ 363 ft
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Hikes near Centerbrook, Connecticut