Norwich Pond via Balanced Rock Trail
3.8 mi · ▲ 468 ft · 1 hr 30 min
Norwich Pond via Balanced Rock Trail is a 3.8-mile out-and-back in Nehantic State Forest near Sterling City, CT. The route reaches Norwich Pond at the turnaround, 1.9 miles in. It climbs 468 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade. It scores 70/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Norwich Pond via Balanced Rock Trail
3.8 mi · ▲ 468 ft · 1 hr 30 min
Elevation 86–261 ft
Out & Back · Nehantic State Forest
Trailhead: 41.38363, -72.32846
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 6:52 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 150 ftBear left, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Balanced Rock Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Keeny Road, heading SE.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading NE.
- 250 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 0.1 miReach Norwich Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Balanced Rock Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 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 0.6 mi in (~18 min). Leave by 6:14 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Keeny Road 3.2 mi · ▲ 221 ft
- Uncas Pond via Keeny Road 2.9 mi · ▲ 196 ft
- Brown Hill via Balanced Rock Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 224 ft
- Uncas Pond–Norwich Pond, 3 lakes 5.6 mi · ▲ 724 ft
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