AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

McLean Game Refuge

Ridge Viewpoint–McLean Game Refuge Beach, 5 beaches

5.1 mi · ▲ 475 ft · 1 hr 56 min

Ridge Viewpoint–McLean Game Refuge Beach, 5 beaches is a 5.1-mile out-and-back in McLean Game Refuge near The Gables, CT. The route passes Salmon Brook Park Beach, Ridge Viewpoint and Kettle Pond before reaching McLean Game Refuge Beach at the turnaround, 2.5 miles in. It climbs 475 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade. It scores 15/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi180 – 492 ft · steepest grade: 16%5.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.94716, -72.79734
Nearest town The Gables, CT
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Ridge Viewpoint–McLean Game Refuge Beach, 5 beaches

5.1 mi · ▲ 475 ft · 1 hr 56 min

Elevation 180–492 ft

Out & Back · McLean Game Refuge

Trailhead: 41.94716, -72.79734

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:48 AM · sunset 8:08 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 50 ftPass Salmon Brook Park Beach.
  3. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NW.
  4. 300 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  5. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
  6. 350 ftBear left, heading NW.
  7. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
  8. 250 ftTurn right, heading S.
  9. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NW.
  10. 0.3 miBear right, heading S.
  11. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  12. 350 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  13. 0.3 miSharp left onto Grove Road, heading S.
  14. 0.2 miBear left, heading S.
  15. 0.1 miBear right onto Ridge Road, heading S.
  16. 0.3 miPass Ridge Viewpoint.
  17. 50 ftPass Kettle Pond.
  18. 0.1 miPass McLean Game Refuge Beach.
  19. 400 ftReach Ridge Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  20. 0.6 miBear left onto Grove Road, heading NE.
  21. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  22. 0.2 miSharp right, heading NE.
  23. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  24. 400 ftBear right, heading N.
  25. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  26. 0.3 miTurn left, heading N.
  27. 0.6 miTurn left, heading N.
  28. 300 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  29. 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
  30. 350 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  31. 0.1 miSharp right, heading N.
  32. 300 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  33. 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/ridge-viewpoint-kettle-pond-out-back-3-lakes-7-km-e3cb

Trail surface

5% grass1% gravel94% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:48 AMSunset 8:08 PM

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead

Hikes near The Gables, Connecticut