CONNECTICUT - Hartford/Central

Air Line Rail Trail follows the Air Line Railroad track, laid down in 1873. The south section of the trail stretches from East Hampton to Willimantic, with a link at its midpoint to a spur south to Colchester. (The northern section, from Windham to Putnam, is undeveloped, and too rough for bicycles.) Round-trip bike riders should start in East Hampton. Over the next 3 miles, you'll cross the Rapallo and Lyman Viaducts. Each spans more than a thousand feet, the latter soaring more than 150 feet above the valley floor. The onward trail soars over streams and the broad Blackledge River before crossing a causeway through Raymond Brook Marsh.
An eighth of a mile from a trailhead and large parking area on State Route 85, the 3-mile Colchester Spur Rail-Trail joins the main line. Though a tad rougher, the spur offers an enjoyable ride through hemlock woods. You'll soon cross Route 85 and eventually emerge at an undeveloped trailhead anchored by the old Colchester Railroad Station. While you can continue on the Air Line several miles, the trail becomes rougher and less defined and lacks a formal trailhead.
Parking and Trail Access:
To reach the western trailhead in East Hampton, take State Route 2 to Exit 13 and follow State Route 66 south for 4 miles. Turn left on State Route 196/Lakeview Street and drive a half mile, then turn left on Flanders Road and drive a quarter mile. Turn right on Smith Street; the trailhead is on the left.
The best eastern trailhead is at the junction of state routes 207 and 85 in Colchester. Take Route 2 to Exit 18, follow State Route 16 for a half mile, then turn left on Route 85. The parking lot is 4 miles down on the left.
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, crushed stone
Trail Activities: Biking, horseback riding, mountain biking, walking, cross country skiing

The Charter Oak Greenway is a paved, multi-use trail connecting parks and the Captain John Bissell Greenway in East Hartford with residential and commercial areas. The trail runs for 9.8 miles from Forbes Street in East Hartford to Bolton, including a one-half-mile section using local roads. The trail provides seasonal access to restrooms, picnic areas, athletic facilities, tennis court, and playground equipment at Charter Oak Park. Bike lockers are available at the intersection of Route 83 and Charter Oak Street, as well as at the Spencer Street commuter lot. Trail users should note that some hills are quite steep.

Parking and Trail Access:
From I-384 eastbound (note greenway on right side), take exit 3 (Route 83). Turn right onto Route 83-North. Turn right at light onto Charter Oak Street. Turn right at next light into parking lot at Charter Oak Field. From I-384 westbound, take exit 3. Turn right at end of ramp onto Charter Oak Street. As above.
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, inline skating, wheelchair accessible, walking, cross country skiing

Farmington River Trail offers an 8.5-mile excursion along the scenic river by that name. The southern trail head at Tunxis Mead Park in Farmington also serves as a trail head for the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. Be sure to follow signs to the river trail. The trail follows the bed of the former New Haven & Northampton Railroad. Two miles in, beyond its junction with State Route 177 in Unionville, the trail follows a quarter-mile road. Don't take the large bridge leading north; instead, carefully cross Route 177 at the crosswalk and head straight on Railroad Avenue.
At the road's end, thread the openings in the guardrail and continue straight on the dirt path; don't turn left uphill into the new development. The trail follows the dirt path for a half mile and then crosses River Road. The onward trail parallels the river on the right and Route 4 on the left. Over the next 3 miles the trail follows the remnants of an old road and passes a defunct hydroelectric dam. At 7.5 miles, a ramp climbs to a restored train bridge over the river. This gateway emerges on historic Collinsville, the end of the trail.

Parking & Trail Access: To reach the southern trailhead in Farmington, take Interstate 84 to Exit 38 and follow US Route 6 West. Drive 3 miles and turn right on Route 10 north. After a quarter mile, turn left on Meadow Road and continue a mile to the parking lot at Tunxis Mead Park, on the right. From the lot, take the sidewalk along Red Oak Hill Road for 100 yards, turn right, and cross New Britain Avenue to the trailhead. To reach the northern trailhead, take US Hwy. 44 to State Route 179 south. Collinsville lies a mile from this junction. Just before town, turn right on Gildersleeve Avenue, where the trail follows a boardwalk along the river. You'll find limited roadside parking here and additional parking in town.
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, crushed stone, dirt, cinder
Trail Activities: Bike, inline skating, fishing, wheelchair accessible, mountain biking, walking, cross country skiing

This 2-mile trail presents a great way to work up an appetite for a picnic at Stratton Brook State Park. A covered bridge provides access to the trail at midpoint. From the covered bridge, the shaded rail-trail shoots northeast and southwest along the right-of-way of the former Connecticut Western Railroad. After bridging Stratton Brook and rounding a gentle bend, the trail exits the park, ending at the Bushy Hill Road/State Route 309 intersection. You can access the canal trail by turning right on State Route 309 and following the shoulder a half mile.
For a slightly longer ride or walk, turn southwest from the covered bridge and cross Stratton Brook Road. From there, the old railroad grade is a paved but seldom used road for 1.7 miles, where it enters Massacoe State Forest.

Parking & Trail Access:
To reach Stratton Brook State Park, take Interstate 84 to Exit 50, follow US Hwy. 44 west for 9.5 miles, then turn right on State Route 10/US Hwy. 202 north to Simsbury. From town, head south on State Route 167/Bushy Hill Road, then veer west on State Route 309 for 0.9 mile. The park entrance is on the left.
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, crushed stone, cinder
Trail Activities: Bike, wheelchair accessible, mountain biking, walking, cross country skiing

This pretty trail network overlooks ravines and streams and passes between rock walls verdant with ferns and lichen. From the main trailhead hub on Church Street, the Vernon Rails-to-Trails Park offers three trail segments. Stretching west and then south, a 1.8-mile spur of the Hop River State Park Trail leads to the Manchester/Vernon town line. There is no formal trailhead at the end. From Church Street, you'll quickly pass the turnoff for the Rockville Spur on your left. The first mile links residential neighborhoods. Beyond Tunnel Road, the Vernon section of the trail leads through thick woods to the Bolton town line.
The 4-mile Rockville Spur negotiates a varied surface, sharing a sidewalk early on and crossing several roads. A half mile from the turnoff, you'll reach a bridge crossing of the Tankerhoosen River. Just shy of Vernon Avenue, the spur comes to an abrupt halt at a large earthen mound atop an old bridge abutment. At this point, you can either backtrack or carefully descend a 50-foot embankment to the left of the abutment to Rockville's surface roads.

Parking & Trail Access:
The Vernon Rails-to-Trails Park is on Church Street between Phoenix and Washington streets, a mile south of Interstate 84. From Hartford, take I-84 east to Exit 65 and follow signs to State Route 30 north. Turn right at the first traffic signal on Dobson Road and cross beneath the interstate. Dobson becomes Washington Street. A mile south, turn left on Church Street. Trailhead parking is ahead on the left.
To reach the trailhead from Exit 66, bear right on Frontage Road, then turn left on Tunnel Road. After a quarter mile, turn right on Warren Avenue. Drive a half mile, take a left on Phoenix Street, then take an immediate right on Church Street. Trailhead parking is on the right.
Trail Surfaces: Crushed stone
Trail Activities: Bike, mountain biking, walking, cross country skiing. Trail Map

The 4.5 mile Windsor Locks State Park Canal Trail follows the historic towpath of this 170- year-old historic waterway. The canal’s many vantage points offer the trail user scenic vistas of both the Connecticut River and the old canal.

Parking & Trail Access:
To start at the Canal Road parking lot, take exit 47W off of I-91 and follow Route 190 West for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Route 159 South and take the first left onto Canal Road and follow to the parking lot.
To start at the Route 140 Mill Complex parking lot, take exit 45 off of I-91 and go west on Route 140. Just after you cross over the Connecticut River there will be a Mill Complex on your right. Take the narrow road down along the canal to a parking lot. Seasonal Restrictions: The towpath is closed to all uses from mid-November until early April of each year. This is to protect the nesting habitat for endangered birds of prey.
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, fishing, walking