Farmington Canal Heritage Trail :
Connecticut
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Description:
Running north from the Yale University campus in New Haven through the heart of Connecticut, the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail comprises several distinct segments totaling 40 miles of rail-trail. When completed, this multiuse trail will stretch, uninterrupted, more than 60 miles from New Haven to the Massachusetts border. A 7-mile segment under development in Southwick, Massachusetts, will eventually link to a network of trails still farther north in Northampton, creating a key interstate route.
The trail follows the corridor of the defunct Farmington Canal, New England's onetime longest canal. Completed in 1835, the waterway stretched 87 miles from New Haven to Northampton, boasting 28 locks and three aqueducts. While it was an engineering marvel, the canal was never profitable, and in 1848, the Farmington Canal Railroad (a.k.a. New Haven & Northampton Railroad) acquired the right-of-way and filled in much of the channel to make way for the tracks. (The rail line met a similar fate in the 1980s.) Traces of the canal remain throughout the Farmington Valley. Most notable is Lock 12, a trailside museum in Cheshire that centers on the restored lock. To date, the rail-trail spans the following four segments: New Haven, Hamden to Cheshire, Southington, and Farmington to the Massachusetts border.
New Haven Section
Anchoring the trail's southern terminus is Yale's new Malone Engineering Building, designed by prominent architect Caesar Pelli. A landscaped setting and reproduced streetlamps lend atmosphere to this 1.25-mile, asphalt-paved, urban path. There is no designated trail parking, but on-street or garage parking is available. Starr Street marks the trail's end.
To continue to the Hamden to Cheshire section by bike, riders need to travel 4 miles on lightly trafficked roads. Turn right on Starr, travel one block, turn left on Newhall Street, and continue about a mile through the Putnam Avenue intersection; Newhall becomes Leeder Hill Drive. Follow Leeder Hill to the road's end at Treadwell Street, take a right, then take an immediate left on Martin Terrace. At the road's end, turn left on Mather Street, followed by a right on Waite Street. (You'll pass a series of lakes on water company property.) Take the first left on Coram Street, then left again on Beverly Road. Follow Beverly around, then bear right on Woodbine Street, skirting the water company property. Make the third left on Elgin Street, go one block, then continue straight on Connolly Parkway. At Wilbur Cross Parkway (State Route 15), turn right to pick up the Hamden to Cheshire section.
Hamden to Cheshire Section
A prominent sign for the New Haven & Northampton Railroad-The Canal Line marks the trailhead of this popular northbound segment at the Conno lly Parkway in Hamden. Woods soon line the asphalt path, and you'll cross bridge after bridge over a meandering stream. To learn about the corridor's canal and railroad roots, pause to read trailside historical markers and watch for the old brick depot and adjacent freight house just past the second parking area. Approaching Cheshire, you'll reach the aforementioned Lock 12 and keeper's house, now a historical park. Here you'll find trailhead parking, picnic tables, toilets, a drinking fountain, and a phone. Trail's end lies 1.6 miles north at a parking lot on Cornwall Avenue in Cheshire.
Southington Section
From an inviting trailhead parking area on West Main Street in downtown Southington, this 2-mile asphalt trail bridges the Quinnipiac River and passes through the heart of a restored mill section starting at Center Street. From here, turn right on Center Street to check out the downtown eateries, or continue north to the trail's end on Hart Street.
Farmington to the Massachusetts Border Section
Despite a few on-road detours, the 22-mile northern section of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail is a rewarding bike ride. It shares its Tunxis Meade Park trailhead with the 8.5-mile Farmington River Trail (see page 21).
Within the first mile, pause to admire the view from a high bridge over the Farmington River. At mile 3, the Thompson Road trailhead provides restrooms. The trail first leaves the corridor 5.8 miles along in Avon, meandering a mile along surface streets and beneath Route 44 before rejoining the corridor at Sperry Park. Continue north through East Granby.
Approaching Simsbury, the trail passes restored brownstone buildings on the campus of aerospace and defense conglomerate Ensign-Bickford, which started in 1836 as a manufacturer of William Bickfords safety fuses for mining. Reaching a small bridge on Route 10, briefly follow the sidewalk, then turn right on Drake Hill Road and look for the trailhead to the right of Iron Horse Boulevard; turn left here to rejoin the corridor.
The trail continues north, paralleling the boulevard and passing Drake Hill Road Park. On a crisp fall day with a youth soccer game in progress, the colors of changing leaves competing with team uniforms, this stretch is a treat to travel. The trail continues 4 miles to a major break at Wolcott Road.
From here, you can either backtrack to the closest trailhead at Route 315 or, if youre a confident road cyclist, continue to the border. At Wolcott Road, turn right and travel a mile to a three-way intersection. Take another right, go about 100 yards, and turn left on Route 189. The trailhead lies a mile down this road on your right. (Note: The train depot on the left side of the road is a private home.) From here, the trail continues 4 miles to the Massachusetts border.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the southern trailhead on the Yale campus, take Interstate 91 to Exit 3/Trumbull Street. Drive straight on Trumbull for three blocks to Hillhouse Avenue and look for on-street or garage parking. On weekends and after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, Yales parking lots are open to the public for free.
To reach the Cheshire trailhead, take Interstate 691 to Exit 3 and head south on State Route 10/Highland Avenue through town. Turn right on Cornwall Avenue and proceed to the trailhead and adjacent parking. To drive to the southern access point, leave Route 15 (Wilbur Cross Parkway) at Exit 60 and drive north on Route 10 (Dixwell Avenue) for a quarter mile. Take the first entrance to the mall on your right and proceed to the large parking lot on the south side of the mall, which is adjacent to the trail.
To reach the West Main Street trailhead, take Interstate 691 to Exit 3 and head north on State Route 10/South Main Street to West Main. Turn left on West Main and proceed to the trailhead parking area.
To reach the southern trailhead in Farmington, take Interstate 84 to Exit 38 (from the south) or Exit 39 (from the north). Once in town, drive a mile west of Route 10 on Meadow Road to Tunxis Meade Park. (The first asphalt trail to the right of Meadow Road isn't the rail-trail, but a wonderful spur to the center of historic Farmington, whose museums and colonial architecture are worth a side trip.)
To reach the State Route 315 trailhead, take I-84 to Exit 38 (from the south) or 39 (from the north). Once in Farmington, head north on Route 10 through Avon and Simsbury. The Route 315 trailhead parking area lies 2 miles beyond the Iron Horse Boulevard trailhead.
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By kskathome on August 07, 2010
My husband and I loved the change of pace (from hill riding in CT) to nice flat shaded areas. We rode from Cheshire to right after getting to Hamden (about 12 miles). Because of what we had read and heard, it wasn't worth the risk of running into the juveniles who are attacking riders. It would be nice if this part of the trail could be patrolled. Would have loved to have made it all the way to New Haven. On the return trip we stopped at Sergio's for a quick slice of Pizza. There are picnic tables right on the trail so no need to stray too far. Next we will be trying the Farmington leg.
By videoeditingmike on July 31, 2010
I have been enjoying the Cheshire-Hamden stretch of this trail for many years. On very nice sunny days you need to watch out for little kids on bikes and even Big Wheels and Razor scooters - it seems that parents don't teach their kids to ride single file and they don't really pay attention to their own kids - I have had a few near misses when little kids panic and abruptly stop mid path.
Aside from those hazards, the trail is mostly flat with a few hills near the Hamden end which may be a challenge for new riders. Some interesting spots include the areas before and after Lock 12 where the stones lining the sides of the old canal are still visible, the section that briefly runs parallel to the Merritt parkway and the intersection with Brooksvale park. This park on the Cheshire hamden line is a pleasant place to stop for a break, look at the horses, goats, bunnies and chickens in their pens, or explore the trails by foot or mountain bike. I have seen a fox along the path, as well as swans in a marked nesting area in Cheshire.
The parking area on Cornwall Ave can get busy, but there is an overflow lot across the street with plenty of room. I suppose you could park at the elementary school a block away if it is real busy.
At the time of this writing, the first half mile from Cornwall south is in need of some paving - there is a bump in the asphalt every 50 feet or so and is annoying on a road bike.
You could also take a detour in hamden and explore the Quinippiac University campus, about a 1/4 mile away - the main quad has some interesting architecture. And across the street from there is Sleeping Giant State Park - many hiking trails, picnic tables and a water spigot.
I agree with the other review that the stretch from Hamden to New Haven is interesting but not worth the risk. Once you hit New Haven, you are basically in the projects for a mile and what looks like a rough neighborhood. There are a dozen side streets to cross and I found that local drivers did not stop at crosswalks. It is somewhat confusing why the city would spend the money to revitalize the rail trail yet not address the dilapidated surroundings. Once you emerge from this section, you are on the outskirts of the Yale campus - you could ride another mile to the New Haven Green, but I chose to turn back. The Hamden to New Haven section also lacks anywhere to stop should you need a bathroom - I chained my bike to a signpost and went to the Hamden Stop and Shop.
Overall, the Cheshire to Hamden stretch is very pleasant. As of this writing, the Plantsville to Cheshire stretch is under construction, so it will be nice one day soon to go Southington to Hamden, about 15 miles end to end.
By hlgaryhold on July 12, 2010
Two weeks ago I was attacked on the Farmington Canal bike trail south of Hamden(2 miles) by two juveniles using a large chunck of wood and landed a horrific blow across my face. I stayed upright and got away immediately. Called 911, gave my report and went to the emergency room for x rays. 45 minutes after the attack on me, the police received another report of the same kind of attack in the same area of the trail. Two kids were caught and arrested. Kids are hanging out on the trail and present a major risk to anyone using the trail south of Hamden. Hamden cops acknowledged that kids retreat to the trail after committing crimes because cop cars can't go there. Stay away from the trail from Hamden to New Haven. You're safer competing against traffic on Dixwell. Multiple fractures later, I resolved to never use the trail between Hamden and New Haven. The neighborhoods are dangerous.
Fractured Rider
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