AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
Hop River State Park Trail entering Bolton CT.jpg
John Phelan · CC BY 4.0
John S. Risley Memorial Park

Risley Reservoir & Valley Falls Park Beach via Hop River Linear Park

4.9 mi · ▲ 923 ft · 2 hr 6 min

Risley Reservoir & Valley Falls Park Beach via Hop River Linear Park is a 4.9-mile out-and-back in John S. Risley Memorial Park near Vernon Center, CT. The route passes Valley Falls Park Beach before reaching Risley Reservoir at the turnaround, 2.5 miles in. It climbs 923 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 43/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi351 – 843 ft · steepest grade: 17%5.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.82134, -72.44411
Nearest town Vernon Center, CT
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Risley Reservoir & Valley Falls Park Beach via Hop River Linear Park

4.9 mi · ▲ 923 ft · 2 hr 6 min

Elevation 351–843 ft

Out & Back · John S. Risley Memorial Park

Trailhead: 41.82134, -72.44411

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 6:52 PM

Dogs allowed on leash

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 50 ftPass Valley Falls Park Beach.
  3. 300 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  4. 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  5. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  6. 50 ftSharp left onto Hop River Linear Park, heading S.
  7. 0.6 miTurn right, heading SW.
  8. 100 ftTurn left, heading W.
  9. 0.2 miBear left, heading S.
  10. 0.4 miTurn right, heading S.
  11. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  12. 0.1 miBear right, heading SW.
  13. 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  14. 350 ftBear right, heading W.
  15. 200 ftTurn right, heading N.
  16. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  17. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  18. 0.2 miBear left, heading NW.
  19. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  20. 0.2 miReach Risley Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  21. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  22. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  23. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  24. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  25. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
  26. 200 ftBear left, heading NE.
  27. 350 ftTurn right, heading E.
  28. 150 ftBear left, heading E.
  29. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  30. 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
  31. 0.4 miBear right, heading NE.
  32. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  33. 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
  34. 0.6 miSharp right, heading NE.
  35. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  36. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  37. 350 ftTurn left, heading N.
  38. 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/risley-reservoir-valley-falls-park-beach-out-back-4-beaches

Trail surface

65% dirt22% gravel13% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:36 AMSunset 6:52 PM

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash

Other ways to reach this destination

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Hikes near Vernon Center, Connecticut