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Hop River State Park Trail:
Connecticut
Trail Map
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Description:
Hop River State Park Trail is one of Connecticut's top rail-trails. Narrow cuts and a lush tree canopy make for enjoyable visits all year. Most of the 15.6-mile route from the Manchester/Vernon town line to Hop River Road follows a crushed stone surface. Work is underway to extend the trail east along State Route 6. Several new bridges carry the rail-trail over side roads, but be careful: Bridges under development offer few safeguards and little warning of steep drop-offs. For an almost seamless 12-mile eastward trek, begin at the Vernon Rails-to-Trails Park on Church Street. The first few miles climb gradually past impressive rock outcrops. Beyond the Bolton Notch parking lot, the trail passes beneath State Route 44 and US Hwy. 6, threads a narrow rock cut, then descends several miles through thick woods. Past Steeles Crossing Road, US 6 comes into view on your left, but not so close as to break the mood. Keep watch for small waterfalls like the one near Burnap Brook Road. The bridge is out at State Route 316; keep back from the edge, as there's no barricade. Trail users with children are advised to turn back at this point. Others may choose to circumvent the gap and take in the next 2 miles of trail. Those cycling the trail should dismount and walk down carefully to US 6. You'll need to lift your bike over the guardrail-be sure drivers see you as they negotiate the turn onto 316. Don't cross the road and try to climb the steep facing bank; instead, take the road to the right of the small triangular park/memorial and follow it uphill 50 yards to rejoin the trail. A mile later, you'll pass beneath US 6 through a new, 100-foot lighted tunnel. Another mile brings you to Parker Bridge Road. This is a good place to turn around or arrange for pickup, as there's no official trail parking and the bridge to Hop River Road is out.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The Church Street trailhead in Vernon is just 1 mile south of Interstate 84, and located between Phoenix and Washington streets. To reach the Church Street trailhead 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 an immediate right on Church. Trailhead parking is on the right.
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Manchester Trail Head & Parking
By elmarubtc on May 23, 2009
There is now a parking area for this trail at the corner of Parker St. & Colonial Road in Manchester. The trail is accessible all the way to this parking lot, which is south of where the current trail map shows the trail ends. The area below Taylor Street in Vernon south to the Manchester parking lot is not as cleared or as wide as the rest of this rail but it easily traversed by any type of bicycle and completely free of any obstructions. This Manchester trail head is more convenient to cyclists who are heading to this trail from west of the Connecticut River as it is easier to get to than the Church Street parking lot in Vernon. Also because there is no parking lots between the Manchester Trail Head and the Church Street lot, this part of the trail is virtually unused. In fact I started in Manchester at 5:30 on a Friday night and did not encounter another person until I reached the Church Street lot. To get to this new trail head in Manchester from Hartford & points west, take I-84 East to Exit 63. Stay in the left lane as you exit, and make a left turn on Tolland Tpke. Make a right at the first traffic light, Parker Street, and follow Parker for about a mile to the intersection of Colonial Road which hits Parker Street from the left. You will see the parking lot and trail head at this intersection.
Rt. 316 Bridge
By cullenaj on July 27, 2008
As many of us are disappointed with the lack of progress in Andover, CT concerning the planned covered bridge over Rt. 316, I suggest that everyone who uses this wonderful trail e-mail governor Rell at "Governor.Rell@ct.gov" and push for resolution to this impass between the DOT and Echo Bridge, Inc. (contractor).
Bolton Nutch to Chruch St.
By JohnWKauffman on July 04, 2008
From this directon running west it is a slight down hill grade. Most of the tail is fairley wide of packed stone dust . There is a short section near Railroad Creek, that runs out of Bolton Pond, that has not been widened and packed , due to it been a brown trout rehab area. the road base it this area is broken ballist stone and can be quite a ruff ride for small kids. continuing down hill there is a steep drop of on the left all the way. I ride a tadpole trike and being close to the ground leads to a different view, that you wouldn't have on an upright bike. Coming back is of course up hill.