By lhelliwell in September, 2011
We started at the north end. Biked into downtown Milford. Picked up some snacks at Dunkin Donuts (right at the end of the trail) and returned to the picnic tables at the lake for a picnic. Sports Authority at 495 exit has bike supplies if you need something last minute.
By deweydog in September, 2010
This is a short, flat, paved trail great for young children on bikes, rollerblades or in strollers and for walking your dog. It is accessible from a large parking lot located on Milford's Main Street. The trail passes Fino Field, which has a community pool and ball fields, crosses Dilla Street to a small park on Louisa Lake, and continues on through scenic woodland to an intersection where you can enjoy lunch or an ice cream treat at Wendy's before heading back (trail currently ends right about there). All sorts of wildlife can be seen on or near trail (mostly on the Lousia Lake side); swans, mallards, turkey, heron, baby snapping turtles, garter snakes, turkey vulture, wood chucks, the remains of a beaver dam/activity. The trail can get crowded on sunny weekends. Expect to see lots of dog walkers.
By coalcorona in September, 2010
I've walked and biked this trail from Main Street near downtown Milford to Route 495. It is a pretty straight, nicely paved route that runs through a nice water plain before it comes to Louisa Lake across Dilla Street. From here the trail gets very crowded and winds through a hilly area before it comes to Route 495. If you are adventurous and willing to get off the beaten path, there are several side paths. My favorite is a left turn about 3/4 of a mile northeast and up from the Dilla Street parking lot. A bar runs across a dirt path and can be used as marker to find it. If you travel up the path for a 1/4 mile or so you will come to an area that was used as a quarry complete with a water-filled quarry (the water is an unusual green color and quite filthy), old cables and pulleys anchored in the stone that were used by machinery to mine the area and piles and piles of broken stone of all shapes and sizes. This quarry area is a wonderful place to scout around. Overall, the Upper Charles Trail is a pretty good route for families and others hiking or biking.