Welcome to Our Sugarloaf Hills Recreation Area

This scenic recreation area got its name many years ago because its two rounded hills resembled mounded loaves of brown sugar. Today west Sugarloaf is covered with plantations of white pine and Norway spruce and has become a roosting area for wild turkeys.

Please note that the many blue markers you see along the trails are not trail blazes. There are no blue trails at Sugarloaf.

Please stay within the boundaries of the recreation area at Sugarloaf Hills. Your safety and the safety of our drinking water are our primary concerns. Please abide by our rules and regulations and encourage others to do the same.

A Guide to the Trails at Sugarloaf Hills

Here is a brief description of the trails at Sugarloaf Hills.

Remember: Permit holders receive easy-to-read trail maps with detailed descriptions. As a permit holder, you can also enjoy the convenience of free parking and a system-wide trail guide as well as invitations to guided nature walks, our annual kids fishing derby and other special events which are only open to our permit holders.

Owl Trail

2.4 Miles

Old rotting tree trunks along this trail are homes for many small forest animals such as screech owls and chipmunks. If you look carefully you may find an owl sleeping in the crook of an old tree. You will also notice canals and inlets to the underground pipes that divert water from this important watershed area.

Raven’s Trail

0.3 Miles

This short, steep trail climbs over the top of east Sugarloaf and provides a short cut on the east leg of the Owl Trail.

Sherwood Forest Trail

0.8 Miles

The sugar maples along this trail provide such dense cover during the summer that little under-story can grow here. As you walk along, you may be able to see up to 500 feet through the forest in this enchanted area. There is a long, steep climb on this trail as it ascends the west side of Sugarloaf.

Tangled Web Trail

0.7 Miles

This trail is named for the overgrown tangle of grape vines, briars and berries growing over a section of west Sugarloaf hill. It is an especially good place for bird watching.

Merlin’s Way

0.1 Miles

This 500 foot trail connects the Sherwood Forest Trail to the Tangled Web Trail.

For more information, please call the Regional Water Authority Recreation Department at 203.401.2654.