Ragged Mountain Preserve Loop Hiking Guide
Ragged Mountain in Berlin packs a lot of rough ground into a few miles. The blue and red blazed loop through the preserve climbs over the 761-foot summit and runs along traprock bluffs above Wassel Reservoir, where rock climbers work the cliffs below you. The footing is loose and the climbs keep coming, so it hikes bigger than the mileage suggests.
Distance and Difficulty
Hiking Project maps the loop at 5.8 miles with about 860 feet of climbing and rates it difficult. The New England Trail, which runs through the preserve as the Metacomet Trail, describes a 5.6-mile loop with about 1,500 feet of elevation change and calls it a difficult hike with rocky, rugged ascents and bare traprock ledges. The two figures measure climbing differently, but they agree on the character: short, steep ups and downs, with connector trails available if you want to cut the loop short.
Which Way to Walk It
The Hiking Project contributor who mapped this loop recommends going counterclockwise, because some of the loose-rock descents are hard to manage in the other direction. The same report warns that blazes are thin in places and junction maps have gone missing over time. Download the map or a GPX track before you start rather than relying on the posted QR code at the trailhead.
Parking on West Lane
The usual start is roadside parking where West Lane becomes Wigwam Road in Berlin. There is no lot and no fee, and Hiking Project notes there are no restrooms. Park on the shoulder only, clear of driveways and the road edge.
Storm Damage and Trail Work
Storms on July 4, 2026 brought down trees across the preserve and left parts of the Metacomet Trail between the central preserve and Andrews Street impassable. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association reported on July 17 that volunteer sawyers had cleared more than 70 blockages and reopened the trails. Check the association's trail notices page after any big wind event before you drive out.
Dogs and Snakes
Hiking Project lists the loop as dogs-on-leash, so bring one and keep it short on the ledges. The Hiking Project contributor also warns of copperheads, so watch where you put your hands in summer and look before you sit on a sunny slab.
Hiking tips for Ragged Mountain Preserve Loop
- Hike the loop counterclockwise so the worst loose-rock sections are climbs, not descents.
- Load a map or GPX track before you go; some junctions have no signs.
- Park only along West Lane, and keep clear of driveways.
- Wear shoes with real tread for the broken traprock.
- Watch for copperheads on sunny ledges in warm months.
Nearby trails to explore
- Castle Craig Trail (Hubbard Park)
- Will Warren's Den Trail (Rattlesnake Mountain)
- Red Trail Loop (Millers Pond State Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Ragged Mountain is easier to navigate with someone who has done it before. Use TrailMates to find a counterclockwise loop on a weekend morning, share the West Lane pin in the event's group chat, and set out together. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.