Indian Council Caves

Indian Council Caves & Soapstone Quarry – Barkhamsted, CT

This is a fun archeological preserve hike. It is an out and back hike and the total distance just to the cave is about a mile. To start the hike, jump on the Blue/Red trail at the parking lot. At a little under the half-mile mark (where it gets a tad bit steep) look for the red blaze. About .1 of a mile after turning onto the red trail there is a large rock on the left, behind this rock is a flat soapstone rock with a bowl – these date back to 800 BCE! Continue on this trail to the Indian cave at 0.5. The cave is a  wide rock overhang from a large ledge. Last time I was there someone had spray-painted arrows and such pointing to the caves.

Hiking Indian Council Caves with your pup

This is a really easy short hike with very little elevation gain. Great for the whole family and pups! I’ve never seen more than two others on this trail so it does give way to a nice relaxing hike. When I go, I usually continue down the Blue/Red trail for a bit to get in extra miles for the hike but there isn’t much on the trail after the section of the cave. I recommend this hike to all pups as it’s a relaxing nice hike with a well-marked trail

Parking: Park at the Elliot Bronson Trailhead on Park Road (41°55’19.5″ N 72°58’21.5″W ), 0.1 mile north of the rt. 181 junction.