As a resident of Manchester, I have found it pretty difficult to find a biking route that does not involve at least one of the major highways that run through the area. The Charter Oak Greenway does have it's issues (mainly traffic noise) but it's much safer than trying to ride on Middle Turnpike, Buckland Hills Rd, Tolland Turnpike, Highway 502, or any number of other extremely busy streets. It's not really the sort of bike path worth traveling across the state to check out, but but if you live in the area, it's worth trying.

I was on Rt. 384 and noticed there is some construction on the east end of this headed toward Bolton.
I don't know when it will be finished, but think it will add about a mile. It is still a ride along the highway for the most part but can be interesting in places and will be nice to see it connect with the Hop River Trail.
A note is that while there is parking at charter oaks park for most of the time the restrooms here are locked.

Much of this trail is along I-384 and I-84 and the roar of traffic can become pretty unbearable. Parts of the trail behind the noise barriers and under the bridges feel a bit too isolated from a security standpoint. Several miles of this trail were being freshly repaved in August 2010. The best part of this was off the trail when I did a loop through Wickham Park in Manchester. The stretch through Manchester Community College is confusing as there are no signs indicating where you are going.

I am a fairly new bike enthusiast and have been enjoying flat trails that reach up to 20 miles in length round-trip. I was excited to read about the Charter Oak Greenway because of it's paved surfaces and distance of 9.8 miles. Arriving at the Charter Oak Field lot, I found the bike trail to be poorly marked. Twice I rode off the trail and onto nearby streets thinking they were a part of the route. Also, the public toilet facilities were all locked and I ended up going to the Manchester Library before starting the trail, as I had driven over an hour to get to the trail.
For those who are new bike enthusiasts, be warned, there are a few decent hills to ascend. Some of the areas are scenic, especially going through a pine forest near Manchester Community College, but overall, it seems to run alongside I-384 and the traffic sounds and smells can be overwhelming, especially if you are climbing one of those gradual but long ascents. The smell of oil-burning vehicles and diesel is not attractive to one who is breathing deeply trying to climb a hill.
Another positive aspect was that there was a functional water fountain along the trail near the college and the trail runs near Wickham Park, which is beautiful and absolutely worth visiting. It was a nice mid-way stop where one can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, including an outdoor aviary, before returning to the greenway that runs along a major highway.
All in all, I enjoyed the adventure of a new trail with some moderately difficult hills, but I don't plan to visit again because of the proximity to the highway. If I lived in the area, though, this trail could be very beneficial as a means of commuting to work or college.

"I started my ride at Manchester Community College parking in a lot of Hillstown Rd. I rode West toward East Hartford. After crossing at Spencer St there is a nice down hill to coast. As the trail climbs, about half way up there is a trail to the right. This is not listed as part of the Greenway. It does follow and pass under I84 to bring you to Wickham Park on Burnside Ave. You can go into the park or continue on the trail next to the exit ramp. If you continue the trail follows I84 to I291 and ends on Tolland St. I went left on Tolland St. to the back side of Wickham Park, where I hoped the wooden guard rail into the park. There is a gate there but it is always locked. Watch the one-way streets in the park. I rode through the park and picked up the trail again on Burnside Ave and rode back the way I came to get back to the Greenway. I turned Right continuing on the Greenway where I had turned off. This will bring to the Veterans' Memorial Club House, which is an alternative parking spot (Park here and you start at the top of a hill). If you go straight you continue down Sun Set Ridge to Forbes St in East Hartford which will leave you with a nice long hill climb to get back."

"I didn't have time to cycle to Bolton last week, but I'll report on my short trip.

From Hartford, you can bike to Main Street and take the Founders Bridge over the Connecticut River. Take a right at what looks like an Art Deco diner/strip club on Main Street and the next left onto Silver Lane. Take it past Rentschler Field and you will find Forbes Street on your left. There is no signage from this direction, but the other end of the bridge has it. Strange. This section is extremely hilly and quite annoying. Hehe. Great signage and small sidetrails to other parks. The bonus of this section is when you come to Manchester Community College. There's a small loop trail on the right that is across from the Student Center (water stop) that goes through an old pine tree grove, not bigger than 1 acre. It's a nice oasis of breezy trees and it takes 30 seconds to go through it and it's quite relaxing. The trail continues at many street crossings and takes you next into the Cheney Historical District. You'll see a large informational kiosk/park in place of an old gas station that was demolished to make room for it. This district is a great sightseeing trip and there are several signed bike route signs. If you take the road route, you'll wind up in downtown Manchester, which has a bike shop and a great mini-bike lane on both sides. There's diagonal parking on both sides and the lanes are on the outside of them with more than enough room.

As annoying as the hills are, it's easier and flatter to ride back on the road and it's twice as fast."

"From the East Coast Greenway Newsletter

Town of Bolton, CT Receives Grant for East Coast Greenway Gap

The Town of Bolton, CT has received a $5,000 grant from The SBM Charitable Foundation to help close a gap in the ECG between Bolton Notch and the Manchester town line. The funds will be used for fencing that is required along this section.

The new section of the trail will connect the existing Hop River State Park Linear Trail, built on a former railroad line, with the Charter Oak Greenway in Manchester, and will link Bolton Notch State Park, Freja Park and Valley Falls Park in Vernon."

The trail near exit 2 and 3 of I384 is really noisy and i will not recommend it especially if you want to come here on daily bases. Also you have get on the main road and cross big roads which makes it very less attractive to me. I have not discovered the rest of the trail. This trail also has some steep slopes. The big turn off is the noise and crossing the roads though which makes it less attractive and dangerous.

I finally bit the bullet and came down to do this section of the East Coast Greenway today. started at Charter Oak park and headed west along Rt.384. The tar bike path jumps from one side of rt. 384 to the other following a brook part of the way. You can go east from the park for about 3/4 of a mile and then it ends and you have to return. I found that an extension to the north almost at the end goes about 2 miles to Wickham park. It is kind of interesting to wind up and down along the highway off ramps and the Rt.84 and Rt. 384 intersections. There is a nice view of Hartford just before the west end after the turn off for the Vet. Memorial park. the turns on the trail are well marked and road cross walks have buttons for light change.