Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / Connecticut / Eastern Connecticut

Breakneck Pond (Bigelow Hollow and Nipmuck State Forest)

Bigelow Hollow State Park and Nipmuck State Forest, Connecticut DEEP (Union, on the Massachusetts line)

Bigelow Pond, Bigelow Hollow State Park
“Bigelow Pond, Bigelow Hollow State Park” by Jesse Goodier , Public domain · Source

Breakneck Pond is a long, narrow pond in the remote northeast corner of Connecticut, stretching across the state line into Massachusetts. Wilderness Portal says it can only be reached on foot. Trails circle the pond through Bigelow Hollow State Park and Nipmuck State Forest, with two lean-tos and a tent site along the shore for backpackers with a state permit.

AllTrails rates the 6.1-mile loop moderate, and The Air Land and Sea writers rarely saw anyone on the Nipmuck Trail here.

The hike

Wikipedia says Bigelow Hollow State Park covers 516 acres in Union, in a large hollow about 700 feet below the surrounding ridgelines, and that it was carved out of Nipmuck State Forest in 1949. Wilderness Portal describes the park as wrapped on every side by the much larger forest, with three lakes: Mashapaug Lake, small Bigelow Pond near the entrance off Route 171, and long, narrow Breakneck Pond to the north.

The state parks site says Nipmuck State Forest totals more than 9,400 acres and is Connecticut’s second-oldest state forest, with its first tract bought in 1905. It names Bigelow Hollow State Park as the primary parking area for recreation in the forest.

AllTrails says the loop around Breakneck Pond is 6.1 miles, crossing streams past large boulders scattered on the forest floor, and warns the trails are often muddy in spring. It notes more than 25 miles of trails in the area.

Several trails make the loop. Wilderness Portal names the white-blazed East Ridge Trail along the pond’s east side and the blue-blazed Nipmuck Trail, which has its northern end here. Wikipedia says the Nipmuck Trail’s northern terminus is at the north end of Breakneck Pond on the Massachusetts border, where a 1954 state line marker stands. The Air Land and Sea describes the shoreline trail as a winding root-and-rock path crossing many small streams feeding the lake, and says motorized vehicles and boats are banned on the pond, making it more peaceful.

The campsites line the pond. The state parks site and Wilderness Portal list three designated backpack sites near Breakneck Pond: the Breakneck East and South lean-tos and the West campsite. Backpacking Routes says the East Shelter sits right on the trail with a great view of the pond, while the South Shelter is tucked away from the trail on the Connector Road. New England Waterfalls describes the two shelters as about 1.5 miles apart.

The rules are clear. The state parks site says there’s no camping or ground fires without a permit anywhere in Nipmuck State Forest, and camping is only at the three backpack sites, with reservations required. Wilderness Portal adds that no camping or ground fires are allowed inside Bigelow Hollow State Park itself. CT DEEP limits each stay to one night and asks backpackers to use stoves for cooking.

Breakneck Pond also connects to longer trips. Wikipedia says the Nipmuck Trail runs south from here, and that camping permits can be obtained for up to five separate locations along it. Backpacking Routes describes a four-day route linking the Natchaug and Nipmuck Trails that ends with a night at the East Shelter.

For a longer eastern Connecticut trip, see the Pachaug-Nehantic Loop.

Tips

Camping

Camping near Breakneck Pond is only at three designated backpack sites in Nipmuck State Forest, the Breakneck East and South lean-tos and the West campsite, by permit, one night per stay. The state parks site says there’s no camping or ground fires without a permit in the forest. DEEP asks groups to stay under 10 people where possible and to use stoves.

Inside Intel: The East Shelter has the view. Backpacking Routes says it sits right on the Nipmuck Trail with a great view of the pond, while the South Shelter is tucked away from the trail, which suits those who want more privacy. A Scout troop that hiked here stopped for lunch at the East Shelter, a reminder that it sees day traffic too.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Lean-to nights on Breakneck Pond:

Two of the three permit sites at Breakneck Pond are lean-tos. If a wooden floor leaves your shoulder sore, try a thicker pad, a foam underlayer, or a taller pillow.

See the fixes →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.