Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail (WIndsor Locks Canal Towpath):
Connecticut
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Description:
The 4.5-mile Windsor Locks Canal Trail follows the Connecticut River and the Windsor Locks Canal between Windsor Locks and Suffield. This trail provides scenic views of the river and canal, and the corridor is home to a variety of wildlife. In addition, you'll find beautiful 19th-century stonework in the aqueducts and bridges.

The Windsor Locks Canal was built between 1827 and 1829 so that barge traffic could get around the tricky Enfield rapids of the Connecticut. The barges carried produce from farms to Hartford. Today the paved path carries recreationists. There are plans to continue the trail across the Connecticut River on the Route 190 bridge to Pearl Street.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To start at the Canal Road parking lot, take I-91 to Exit 47W and follow Route 190 West for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Route 159 South and take the first left onto Canal Road; follow it to the parking lot.

To start at the Route 140 mill complex, take I-91 Exit 45 to Route 140 West. Just after you cross over the Connecticut River the mill complex is on your right. Take the narrow road down along the canal to the parking lot.

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Seasonal Restrictions:
The Towpath is closed to all uses from mid-November until early April of each year. This is to protect the nesting habitat for endangered birds of prey.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Beautiful Trail
By kaden1982 in July, 2011
The trail is re-opened, and it's pretty phenomenal. We biked from the Windsor Locks end yesterday, and had perfect weather for such an event. It'swater on both sides...definitely worth the trip. It's a short trail, but has active train bridges overhead, and beautiful scenery! A must-do for certain. A great place for nature photography and a nice quiet ride.
Why?
By josowast in June, 2011
Why is the Canal bike path still closed? Why was it closed to begin with? Because of the nesting eagles? WHy? Noise from people biking; from bird watchers? What about the VERY LOUD trains that go by the path more than several times per day? I have biked that path seven days per week for many months in a row and there are absolutely no loud sounds or other disturbances about. Is it that eagle gawkers would swarm the area? DEP, please open the trail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Portion of Canal Trail is closed until July 1, 2011
By kristi77 in May, 2011
May 3, 2011 Windsor Locks side is closed you can go to the Suffield side.
We could only go 2 miles in the direction of Windsor Locks. Temporary gate preventing people to go any farther. The southern portion of the Windsor Locks Canal Trail is closed until July 1 because a pair of nesting bald eagles has taken up residence there.
"Bald eagles are a threatened species in Connecticut according to Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Dan Esty, the trail will be closed until the young eagles can fly or the nest fails. If either event occurs before July 1 the trail will open earlier, according to a press release from the DEP."
“Disturbance can cause the adult eagles to abandon their nest, causing the eggs or chicks to die,” Esty said in the press release.
Reduction of the website picture to 400 pixel width to match other photos on the page. I did not take the photo, I just resized it.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Franklin St./Rt 190 (Suffield) to Rt 140 Mill Complex (Windsor Locks)
Counties: Hartford
Trail Length: 4.5 miles
Trail Category: Canal
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6015440

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other New England rail-trails in RTC's New England Guidebook.