Talcott Mountain/Heublein Tower Hike on Sunday, October 11, 2026
David Ostafin
Join us on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Talcott Mountain State Park, Summit Ridge Drive (off Route 185) in Simsbury, CT on our fall foliage hike up Talcott Mountain and to the top of the Heublein Tower, for awesome autumnal views that include the Sleeping Giant, Mount Monadnock, the Berkshires, and the Hartford skyline. Park along the road, and meet at the sign for the start of the trail at 10:30 a.m. for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m. Parking should be available, since the popular Tower Toot Festival is the following weekend. As this is a Sunday, there is no rain date.
ABOUT THE HIKE: This is an EASY TO MODERATE hike, a short but steep walk 1.25 mile trek to the summit, that requires a 45-50 minute ascent and then a 45-50 minute descent. Total walking time in ascent and descent is about one and a half hours. At the summit there is an optional climb to the top of the Heublein Tower for panoramic views. Dogs are welcome on the hike, but cannot be taken up into the Tower.
This hike is becoming our quadrennial tradition. Our group did this hike in October 2018, and again in October 2022. Our plan this time, rather than meeting afterwards at a local restaurant, is a picnic lunch on the summit of Talcott Mountain, in a sheltered pavilion, with overlooking the views. Since we are in the fall season, consider bringing hot thermos drinks for the picnic, as well as cold water for the hike. We will have a Plan B, for a local restaurant after the hike, should weather not permit a picnic on top of the summit.
NOTE: Remember to wear appropriate footwear designed to prevent slipping. Watch the weather forecast, so that you will dress appropriately. As always, read our Disclaimer (our group disclaims any liability; responsibility is assumed by each participant for him/herself).
ABOUT THE TOWER: The 165-foot Heublein Tower was built from 1912 to 1914 by CT entrepreneur Gilbert Heublein (whose grave we visited on our February hike at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford) for his wife Louise. It was the 4th tower to be built on the summit (others were destroyed by wind or fire). Heublein Inc. at one time owned such products as Smirnoff Vodka, KFC, A-1 Sauce, Grey Poupon Mustard, and Jose Cuervo Tequila. Many famous people have visited the tower, including actress TALLULAH BANKHEAD, whose large, ornate signature adorns the guest ledger on display in the tower lobby.
PARKING AND MEETING: The main entrance to the park is a large two-way street with parking on both sides (except in marked ‘no parking’ sections). About half way up the entrance street, on left, there is a “Talcott Mountain State Park and Heublein Tower” sign where the yellow-blazed trail begins. We will meet at this sign.
DIRECTIONS: The APPROXIMATE GPS address of the trailhead is: 161 Summit Ridge Drive, Simsbury, CT. From I-91 North or South, take the exit to Bloomfield Route 218. This road is also called Cottage Grove Road. Follow Cottage Grove Road, heading west, until you reach Route 185. Follow Route 185 heading toward Simsbury. At the top of the hill, the entrance to Talcott Mount State Park/Heublein Tower is on the left. From I-84 East or West, take the exit to Route 44 West. Follow Route 44 heading West until you reach the intersection of Route 218. Take a right on Route 218 and follow North until you reach Route 185 in Simsbury. Take a left of Route 185, heading for Simsbury. At the top of the hill, the sign for Talcott Mountain State Park is on the left.
Bring your portable picnic lunch, which we will carry it on the hike up to the summit for our mid-hike break atop Talcott Mountain. If the weather happens not to be picnic-friendly, our Plan B is to go to the restaurant where the group went after the hike in October 2018 (Abigail’s Grille, in Simsbury, serving American cuisine in a renovated 1780 stagecoach stop).
Giovani Querido and David Ostafin
