Rail-Trails Southern New England: The definitive guide to multiuse trails in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

Connecticut

A bridge over the Shepaug River on the Kress Family Trail

1Air Line State Park Trail

Counties

Middlesex, New London, Tolland, Windham

Endpoints

CT–MA state line near E. Thompson Road, 0.7 mile east of New Road (East Thompson), to Riverside Dr. and Old Route 12 (Thompson); and Averill St. and Railroad St. (Pomfret Center) to Main St. between Summit St. and Walnut Ave. (East Hampton)

Mileage

54.6

Type

Rail-Trail

Roughness Index

2–3

Surfaces

Ballast, Dirt, Gravel

The Air Line State Park Trail winds nearly 55 miles from the northeast corner of Connecticut, where the state borders Massachusetts, down to East Hampton in the heart of the state. The pathway is nearly seamless, with only one major gap through Putnam. Over the state border, you can make a contiguous connection to the Southern New England Trunkline Trail, which heads more than 20 miles east to Franklin, Massachusetts.

The rail-trail showcases the engineering behind the Air Line Railroad, laid down through this hilly region in 1873 as part of a direct route between Boston and New York. As the railroad’s name implies, the tracks ran flat and straight, like a line in the air. The Air Line employed the finest trains of the day, featuring the Pullman Palace Car, marketed as the White Train for its luxurious white-and-gold decor.

Numerous bridges enhance the trail experience.

At this juncture in Willimantic, the Air Line State Park Trail meets the Hop River State Park Trail.

Northern Section: East Thompson to Thompson

If you begin your adventure on the trail’s northern end, note that parking is not available at the tip. Instead, find parking 0.5 mile farther at the intersection of New Road and Thompson Road in East Thompson. From there, you’ll head southwest on the trail. The trail feels completely secluded, as it has few entry points and no view of the roads or sound of traffic for miles.

A word of caution about the trail’s surface, however: The original ballast covers this 6-mile northern section and it becomes bumpy and rocky at various points. Riders often have to dismount due to the uneven nature of the ballast, so a fat-tire bicycle is highly recommended. The trail ends in the southern outskirts of Thompson, near the border of neighboring Putnam.

A gap of 7.5 miles lies between the northern and southern sections of the Air Line State Park Trail. Pick up the pathway again at the intersection of Averill Street and Railroad Street in Pomfret Center, a small village nestled within the larger Pomfret, one of the oldest towns in the state with its incorporation in 1713.

Southern Section: Pomfret Center to East Hampton

From Pomfret Center, you’ll follow the pathway just over 19 miles southwest to Willimantic, skirting Mashamoquet Brook State Park, Natchaug State Forest, and Goodwin State Forest, which offer numerous recreational options such as hiking and equestrian trails, camping, and wildlife viewing.

When you arrive in downtown Willimantic, you’ll find that the trail ends at Jillson Square Park, but with a short bit of on-road riding, you can pick up the trail again just south of the intersection of Bridge Street and Riverside Drive. Traveling west along the Willimantic River, you’ll see the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum in 0.8 mile. For history buffs, its vintage locomotives and railroad buildings are well worth a visit. The museum is also adjacent to a juncture with the Hop River State Park Trail, a scenic route heading 20 miles northwest to Manchester. Both trails are part of the East Coast Greenway, which will connect communities along the Eastern seaboard from Maine to Florida.

Heading southwest down the trail, you’ll arrive at a fork in Hebron after 8.3 miles. Keep right to stay on the main Air Line State Park Trail; the other option is a 3.5-mile spur to Colchester. Though the trail is primarily dirt here, this section offers many attractions that make it worthwhile. From the fork, it’s 1.4 miles to beautiful Grayville Falls Town Park, which offers waterfalls and wooded hikes. Nature abounds as you continue along the corridor, and you’ll have access to Raymond Brook Marsh and Salmon River State Forest.

Numerous bridges offer lovely views, including the Blackledge and Jeremy River crossings. When you reach the Bunk Hill Road trailhead parking, you can take an on-road side excursion of 1.4 miles to reach the Comstock Covered Bridge. Originally built in 1791, it’s one of the last remaining historical covered bridges in the state.

From the Bunk Hill trailhead, you’re only 3.6 miles from trail’s end, but there’s still more to see. You’ll cross the Rapallo and Lyman Viaducts, which were originally built in the 1870s and offer stunning views of the surrounding hills and forests. The trail ends in East Hampton, once known as Bell Town for the 30 bell-making companies that settled here.

CONTACT: www.ct.gov/deep/airlinetrail

DIRECTIONS

With such a long trail, there are numerous parking locations. Below are a few options; use the link above or TrailLink.com to find others.

To reach the northernmost parking area, take I-395 to Exit 50, and head east on CT 200. In 0.6 mile, turn left onto CT 193 N, and go 1.6 miles. Turn right onto E. Thompson Road, and go 3.1 miles. Parking is available at the trailhead near the intersection of New Road and E. Thompson Road.

To reach trailhead parking in Pomfret, take US 44 to Pomfret (about 40 miles east of Hartford), and turn north to remain on US 44. In 0.6 mile turn left onto Railroad St., then immediately take a right onto Averill St. The trail parking lot is on your left.

To reach the Air Line State Park Trail in Willimantic, take I-384 to US 6, and continue east on US 6 for 10.8 miles. Continue straight onto CT 66, and go 1.9 miles. Turn right onto Cards Mill Road. In 1 mile, turn left onto Baker Hill Road (which becomes Kingsley Road in Lebanon). In 0.6 mile, the Air Line State Park Trail crosses the road; park along the right side of the road.

To reach the southernmost parking location in East Hampton, take CT 2 to Exit 13 and follow CT 66 south 4 miles. Turn left onto CT 196/Lakeview St. and drive 0.5 mile, then turn left onto Flanders Road and drive 0.25 mile. Turn right onto Smith St.; the trailhead is on the left.

2Charter Oak Greenway

County

Hartford

Endpoints

Porter St. and Camp Meeting Road/CT 534 (Manchester) to Forbes St., just north of Ridgewood Road (East Hartford), and Willow St. and Main St. (East Hartford) to Bushnell Park (15 Trinity St.) (Hartford)

Mileage

13.4

Type

Greenway/Non-Rail-Trail

Roughness Index

1

Surface

Asphalt

The paved Charter Oak Greenway rolls more than 13 miles through the tree-covered hills and eastern suburbs of Hartford before crossing the Connecticut River and ending in the capital’s downtown. At first glance, the trail looks as if it is simply a highway side path, but the journey from east to west takes trail users through a variety of experiences, including college campuses, community parks, forests, commercial areas, a peaceful riverfront, and a vibrant city center.

Beginning at the eastern trailhead at Porter Street and Camp Meeting Road in Manchester, you will find ample parking, well-maintained gardens, and an information kiosk. Development on an extension heading east from this trailhead is already in progress. Near its east end is the Hop River State Park Trail, which spans 20 miles largely through dense woodlands. Less than 2 miles separate the two trails, and plans are in the works to connect them. Both are part of the expansive East Coast Greenway, which will one day connect multiuse trails from Maine to Florida.

The path offers some fun twists and turns as it winds up a hill in Manchester.

Charter Oak Park, on the eastern leg of the trail, provides access to restrooms, drinking water, and other amenities.

From the eastern trailhead of the Charter Oak Greenway, the well-signed and newly paved trail parallels Highland Street before descending into the Birch Mountain Brook stream valley. Here along a tree-lined path, with the bubbling brook flowing beside you, you may forget that I-384 is just over the ridge.

Less than 2 miles from the Porter Street trailhead, you arrive at Charter Oak Park, a lovely community park in Manchester providing access to restrooms, water, ball fields, tennis courts, a pavilion, and gardens. This intersection with the town provides an opportunity to find trailside amenities and a bite to eat. Proceeding west from Charter Oak Park, the trail passes through handsomely appointed residential and commercial communities. You’ll need to navigate a 0.5-mile on-road portion of trail along Hartford Road and Bidwell Street before leaving the road to enter the campus of Manchester Community College.

Now off road once again, the trail traverses the college campus through sports fields and pine forest before leaving campus to head toward Hartford. Although I-384 is nearby, the trail shares the right-of-way with a utility corridor, and the emergence of tall grasses within it provides a meadowlike atmosphere as the trail approaches downtown. Prior to reaching Hartford, the path takes you past the University of Connecticut football stadium in East Hartford. The route will travel on-road again for the approximately 1-mile gap to the Hockanum River. The trail becomes off-road again at the intersection of Willow Street and Main Street in East Hartford.

As the path approaches the east bank of the Connecticut River, it has a decidedly more parklike feel. As you continue, the Connecticut River will be on your left and mature trees abound. Park users may be seen all around you, enjoying the amenities, sights, and sounds of Great River Park, with its expansive views of the Hartford skyline across the river.

Heading north along the river, trail users may appreciate the many sculptures and other artwork located along the riverfront before the route ascends a flood-control levy to reach Founders Bridge. The trail crosses the Connecticut River and arrives in downtown