Castle Craig Trail (Hubbard Park) Hiking Guide
Castle Craig is the stone lookout tower on East Peak in Meriden's Hanging Hills. Walter Hubbard gave it to Meriden in 1900, and the White Trail from Mirror Lake is the classic hike to it. The climb is short but has a steep finish, and the tower view takes in the whole Meriden area.
The White Trail Route
Hiking Project maps this out-and-back at 2.8 miles with about 644 feet of climbing. Start at the small lot northwest of Mirror Lake, or park in the larger lot to the east and walk up paved Mirror Lake Drive. The White Trail runs through woods beside the highway for the first half mile, so expect road noise, then crosses it on a pedestrian bridge. Past the bridge the climbing gets steeper. A short red-blazed alternate rejoins the White Trail after 0.2 miles, and near the top the White Spur Trail climbs steeply to the Metacomet Trail and the summit parking area beside the tower.
Castle Craig and the Hanging Hills
The City of Meriden dates the tower's dedication to October 29, 1900, when Hubbard hosted a clam roast for about 250 guests in its shadow. It stands 32 feet tall, and the city puts the top at 1,002 feet above sea level. Hubbard Park now covers some 1,800 acres and was laid out with the Olmsted Brothers. The Hanging Hills are part of the Metacomet Ridge, and the city says East and West Peak are reportedly the highest ground within 25 miles of the coast between Maine and Florida.
The Summit Road
Cars can drive to the tower only part of the year. The City of Meriden lists the road as open from May 10 through October 30, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weather permitting, while Hiking Project gives May 1 through October 31 and 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. In summer that means you share the summit with people who drove up. From November through spring the road is closed and only hikers reach the top.
Parking, Fees and Dogs
The City of Meriden's Hubbard Park page lists no parking or entry fee. Leashed dogs are common on this trail, and Hiking Project lists it as dogs-on-leash. Bring water for them, and take the White Spur slowly: it is short, steep and rocky.
Longer Options
The New England Trail's Hanging Hills hike, a 7.8-mile out-and-back on the Metacomet Trail, passes Castle Craig and continues to a viewpoint on West Peak along rugged ledges above Merimere Reservoir. For something in between, take the White Trail back down instead of the red cutoff for a slightly different return.
Hiking tips for Castle Craig Trail (Hubbard Park)
- Use the big lot east of Mirror Lake if the small trailhead lot is full.
- Expect highway noise for the first half mile; it fades after the bridge.
- Go between November and early May if you want the summit without car traffic.
- Take the White Spur slowly; it is short but steep and rocky.
- Climb the tower's stairs for the full 360-degree view.
Nearby trails to explore
- Ragged Mountain Preserve Loop
- Tower Trail (Sleeping Giant State Park)
- Red Trail Loop (Millers Pond State Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Castle Craig works well as a short after-work hike in spring and fall. Post one on TrailMates, agree in the event's group chat on which Mirror Lake lot to use, and walk up to the tower together. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.