We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Strangest Hiking Trail Name in Connecticut

A fascination with the occult and devils is not something new to the Northeast region of the United States. There’s the New England vampire panic, the “spirit” photography craze, and the famous Salem With Trials, among other panics and manias. As a result, it’s not uncommon to find areas named after such spooky figures and folklore. However, the Witch Hazel Trail in Connecticut's Devil’s Hopyard State Park takes things in a different direction.

Witch hazel is a plant and not a myth. It’s also not used for witchcraft, despite its name, but has historically been used for a type of divination. How so? Well, the most famous use of witch hazel has been for dowsing (also referred to as divining or water witching), which is a process of using a forked branch to search for underground water. Traditionally, it’s believed that when one passes over underground water with a witch hazel dowsing rod, the branch will bend towards the source of water. “Wych” is actually an Anglo-Saxon word for bend, and is believed to be part of the origin of the name "witch hazel."

The main piece of folklore involving occult matters in the area has to do with the name of the park itself Devil's Hopyard, and one specific rock formation in it. The true reason for the park’s name is unknown, although there are many theories, but one of the most popular ones is that the Devil went walking near the Chapman waterfall and accidentally got his tail wet. In his anger, his hoof prints burned holes into the rock near the falls. Scientifically, it is believed that the unusual indentations might have actually been caused by stones from the river that got trapped on their way downstream, and the force of their downfall caused them to spin around so quickly that they wore a hole down into the rock. Then, another rock would take its place and continue the crater. 

The full trail is known as the Witch Hazel Trail via the Millington Loop Trail. It's a 5.4-mile loop that takes roughly two and a half hours to complete and is most popular with runners and hikers. This is likely attributed to the fact that it’s well shaded and the forest is visually gorgeous and is covered in ferns, moss, and lichen alongside flowers. Known to be beautiful in every season, the hike itself does have witch hazel along the trail, but it also has plenty of water as it passes by. Indeed, it’s a trail to pick if you love water, with multiple waterfalls, ponds, and creeks. In the spring, this is taken a step further with frequent flooding, and in the winter, ice takes its place. Although summer is one of the most popular times to visit and enjoy the water, autumn is also beloved because it’s when the witch hazel flowers and little yellow spindly blooms dot your way through the forest. 

Despite the beautiful views, well-marked trails, and ability to bring your (leashed) dog, this trail is still rather underrated compared to some other options, and you’ll find that the lack of people makes the trip very peaceful. Something to keep in mind is the fact that summer does bring bugs, and lots of them, so be prepared. Additionally, ticks and coyotes are always something to be wary of, especially when bringing a dog or using one of their campsites. Mud is also a near-constant presence on this trail due to the abundance of water, so preparing accordingly is vital to enjoying your time. 

Whether or not you believe that the Devil truly walked through this park, or that the witch hazel guides you on the path to water, it can’t be denied that this trail is truly gorgeous. So, are you looking to add a quiet but beautiful hike with lots of water features to your trip to Connecticut? The Witch Hazel Trail might just be what you’re looking for!