West Rock Ridge State Park — Judges Cave
Greater New Haven / New Haven, Connecticut
Activity
Hiking / Historic Rock Exploration
Distance
2.5 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~400 ft
Route
Out & back
The adventure
Climb West Rock to the boulder shelter where two men once hid from a king. Climb West Rock Ridge to the boulder shelter where two regicide judges hid from the English Crown in 1661.
Enter West Rock Ridge State Park and climb onto the ridge toward Judges Cave. Find the giant traprock blocks that concealed Edward Whalley and William Goffe from royal authorities in 1661, locate the memorial tablet among the rocks, stand at one of Connecticut's strangest colonial hiding places.
What to expect
- Climb West Rock Ridge to the boulder shelter where two regicide judges hid from the English Crown in 1661.
- Use the main West Rock park access and follow the park's signed route toward the ridge and Judges Cave. The official map marks Judges Cave along the southern ridge near the Regicides Trail. Stay with the marked park roads and trails until you reach the cluster of massive rocks and memorial tablet. Do not confuse ordinary ridge boulders with the signed historic site. Return along the same trail system to your starting area.
Good to know
- BOULDER HIDEOUT
- Judges Cave isn't a deep cavern. It's a natural shelter formed by enormous blocks of West Rock traprock.
- ROYAL MANHUNT
- Edward Whalley and William Goffe hid here after fleeing England following the restoration of King Charles II.
- REGICIDES RIDGE
- West Rock's ridge rises dramatically above New Haven and carries the appropriately named Regicides Trail.
- SEASONAL ROAD
- Vehicle access toward the summit is seasonal, so the amount of walking can vary. The park itself is open daily.
- READ THE CAVE TABLET
- Find the tablet mounted at the rocks and read why two fugitives from the English Crown ended up hiding on a Connecticut ridge in 1661.
- Fee
- Free — no required entrance or parking fee.
- Dogs
- allowed-on-leash.
- Season
- The park is normally open year-round, while vehicle access on the summit road is seasonal. Winter snow and ice increase difficulty.
Photos
More adventures nearby
Rice Field · Greater New Haven, Connecticut
East Rock Park — Giant Steps TrailHiking · Moderate · ~3 mi away
Lock 12 Historical Park · South-Central Connecticut
Lock 12 Historical Park / Farmington Canal Linear TrailOther Adventures · Easy · ~10 mi away
Silver Sands State Park · Connecticut Shoreline
Silver Sands State Park — Charles Island Trail / tomboloHiking · Moderate · ~11 mi away