Length: 3.2 miles round trip
Feature: Cliffs, Views
Max elevation change: 1250 feet
USGS maps: Wallingford Quad
Amount of use: Moderate - Heavy
Hiking level: Moderate - Difficult
Average hike time: 2 ½ - 3 hours round trip
Use restrictions: No horses, mountain bikes, or motorized vehicles
The trailhead is found at the far end of the parking lot, and is marked by blue blazes. The first part of the hike follows the Keewaydin Trail and winds around the northeastern edge of the cliff area. About 0.2 miles into the trail, a waterfall on the Bully Brook can be seen on the left. The Appalachian/Long Trail junction is reached at 0.4 miles from the parking lot. At the junction, turn south (right) following the white blazes past the Greenwall Shelter spur trail, which is at about 1.0 mile. Continue south to a stone cairn, at 1.4 miles, which identifies the spur trail on the right that leads to White Rocks Cliffs. The spur trail descends 0.2 miles to several beautiful vistas of the Route 7 valley, the Taconic Mountains, and the Adirondack Mountains in the distance. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in.
- During the last Ice Age, glaciers scoured and exposed the Cheshire quartzite that makes up White Rocks Cliffs. Since that time, the White Rocks area has had a long history of human use. Native Americans quarried stone from the site for tools, and in the 1850s white settlers cleared the land for grazing. As the abandoned fields reverted to forest during this century, logging came to the area. Today, the White Rocks Cliffs have been set-aside as part of a National Recreation Area for backcountry recreation and to insure a continuous wildlife habitat.
From Route 7 in Wallingford, follow Route 140 east 2.1 miles to the junction of Sugar Hill Road on the right;
From Route 103 in East Wallingford, follow Route 140 west approximately 4.0 miles to the junction of Sugar Hill Road on the left;
- Follow Sugar Hill Road for about 200 feet to the sign for the Green Mountain National Forest-White Rocks Picnic Area and turn right onto Forest Road 52. Follow FR 52 for 0.5 miles to the end.
Food and Services: Wallingford
For all Emergencies: 911
911 Information: The trailhead is in the Town of Wallingford, off Rte 140 and Forest Road 52.