The trail consists of several quiet woodland segments, with terrain ranging from riparian valley to ridgeline escarpments; it is intersected in a handful of places by small country lanes where car-parking slots are very convenient but of limited size.

Notable features include: the only true cave in Connecticut, although it is closed to protect a bat colony; a few modest high points with views of the Housatonic River valley, Candlewood Mountain, Kelly's Slide, Pine Knob, Boardman Mountain and the Straits Rock ridge top.

The Housatonic Range Trail is primarily used for hiking, backpacking, picnicking, bird-watching and in the winter, snowshoeing.

The southern segment of the Housatonic Range Trail ends at the summit of Candlewood Mountain in New Milford Connecticut; this is one-and-a-half miles south of the parking lot and trail head at the junction of CT-37 and Candlewood Mountain Road.

The trail crosses Squash Hollow Road twice; allowing for access and limited parking.

There is a small parking area on Gaylord Street on the cemetery side; the trail descends to a wooden foot bridge which crosses a brook; it then rises over two ridgelines and ends at a larger parking lot near Tory's Cave beside Route 7, next to the Housatonic River.

The Housatonic Range Blue-Blazed Trail was created by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.

[1] This Housatonic was and is the name of a river which begins in Massachusetts and flow through the western extreme of Massachusetts and Connecticut before turning to the south-east, merging with the Naugatuck River (the largest tributary) in Shelton before emptying into Long Island Sound between Stratford and Milford Connecticut.

The Dutch, under Adrian Block, are believed to have been the first Europeans to explore the Housatonic River and quickly establishing seasonal fur trading camps with Native American tribes.

There is a warning sign outside the cave opening with safety rules including one that only experienced spelunkers should enter it; however, it is CLOSED indefinitely to protect the bats.

As the average depth of the lake is only forty (40) feet scuba divers can find submerged houses, cars and airplane wrecks.

Ice can form on exposed ledges and summits, making hiking dangerous without special equipment.

[5] Extensive flooding in ponds, puddles and streams usually occurs in the late winter or early spring, overflowing into the trail and causing very muddy conditions.

Since some parts of the trail follow forest roads, ruts and tracks from ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles make be found.