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Print Friendly MapThe Hanover Pond Trail is a mile-long rail-trail in Meriden, Connecticut offering scenic natural escape combined with historical exploration. The smooth asphalt trail is open to a diverse range of users from walkers, joggers, cyclists, and folks with dogs. It begins across Oregon Road from the Ref Bridge, which marks the entrance to another rail-trail, the Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail. Rather than head northwest like the river trail, the Hanover Pond Trail heads northeast to Dossin Beach. Hanover Pond is a reservoir created when 19th century manufacturing industries dammed the water to generate power for the Meriden Cutlery Company. Hanover Pond became a major recreational draw soon after. The Dossin Beach bath house, built in 1932, now serves as the headquarters of the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA).
Informational kiosks tell this and more of the stories behind the historic sites you’ll encounter on the trail. From the parking lot at Dossin Beach, the trail heads north along an old railroad bed, skirting Hanover Pond and paralleling Sodom Brook. The route features two bridges over the brook, and opens up at the other end to a parking area behind Orville H. Platt High School. From there it’s about 500 ft to Coe Avenue.
This is a dog-friendly trail, but they must remain leashed.
At the southern end there's parking at Dossin Beach at 465 Oregon Road.
At the north end, you can park behind Orville H. Platt High School (220 Coe Avenue).
Pleasant trail between Platt HS and Quuinnipiac gorge. A good walk in the woods and along the short of Hanover Pond. Be sure to read the signage about the former amusement park.
Clean paved trail behind the high school. Great for biking.
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