Find the top rated trails in Branford, whether you're looking an easy walking path or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The delightful asphalt Middlebury Greenway winds 4.4 miles through the residential community of Middlebury, connecting businesses, parks and neighborhoods. The popular trail offers residents an...
The Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail stretches just over 3 miles along Long Island’s north shore. Construction was completed in two phases with the first trail section opening in 2009...
The final passenger cars of the Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad ran in 1958, but the rail line that so influenced development of this area still sparks nostalgia. The "Old Put"...
The Farmington River Trail is built upon the former Central New England Railroad corridor and runs between the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail near Tunxis Meade Park and the Simsbury town line. A...
The Pequonnock River Trail—portions of which are also known as the Housatonic Railway Rails to Trails, Monroe Housatonic Railbed Trail and Pequonnock Valley Greenway—is a developing system stretching...
The Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail runs for 1.5 miles between Old Dock Road at Church Street in Kings Park and Nissequogue River State Park. The trail is a town of Smithtown park and follows an...
The Stratton Brook State Park Trail presents a great way to work up an appetite for a picnic at Stratton Brook State Park, the first state park in Connecticut to be entirely wheelchair accessible. The...
The Sue Grossman Still River Greenway runs for nearly 3 miles through a wooded corridor between Lanson Drive and Harris Drive in Torrington. The paved trail occupies the old right-of-way for the New...
When complete, Connecticut's Shoreline Greenway Trail will be a scenic 25-mile route through four quaint New England towns off Long Island Sound. From Lighthouse Point to Hammonasset Beach State Park,...
Air Line State Park Trail winds for just over 55 miles from the northeast corner of Connecticut, where the state borders Massachusetts, down to East Hampton in the heart of the state. Over the state...
The first phase of the New Milford River Trail runs southeast from Gaylordsville via the scenic but lightly traveled River Road, through Sega Meadows to Boardman Bridge, a distance of about 5 miles....
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Thanks to skilled engineers with the former Hartford, Providence, & Fishkill Railroad, the pretty Vernon Rails-to-Trails overlooks ravines and streams and passes between rock walls verdant with ferns...
Note: Per the State of Connecticut's website, the trail is open from dawn to dusk March 1–November 30. The 4.5-mile Windsor Locks Canal Trail follows the Connecticut River and the Windsor Locks...
The EPCAL Alternative Transportation Path loops around the 2,900-acre Enterprise Park at Calverton (hence its name: EPCAL) on New York’s Long Island and links to the Town of Riverhead’s 65-acre...
The Charter Oak Greenway is a paved, multi-use trail connecting parks with residential and commercial areas. The trail runs for 11 miles between Bolton and downtown Hartford, though there is currently...
The Naugatuck River Greenway will one day span 44 miles from Torrington to Derby in western Connecticut, but is currently open in a few short disconnected segments totaling just over 5 miles. The...
The Bethpage Bikeway is one of Long Island's most popular trails. It connects Merrick Road in Massapequa with Bethpage State Park, and includes additional trail north to Trail View State Park in...
When completed, the Norwalk River Valley Trail will run from Danbury to Long Island Sound in southwestern Connecticut, for a total of about 27 miles. Currently, several disconnected sections totaling...
A part of Connecticut's first bus rapid transit line, the CTfastrak Trail serves as recreational and multi-use path for walking and bicycling between Downtown New Britain and Newington Junction. The...
The Derby Greenway runs between Division Street and Main Street, paralleling the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers. The trail runs on top of a flood control dyke for the rivers; a portion of it goes...
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The Trolley Trail runs through Plainfield and is a key link the East Coast Greenway. Plans are to use this trail as a link between the Moosup Valley State Park Trail and the Airline State Park...
The Ridgefield Rail-Trail meanders for nearly 2.5 miles through the forested exburbs of Ridgefield, Connecticut. The trail passes among suburban acreages, along a creek at one point, and past a couple...
The Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail runs for 1.5 miles between Old Dock Road at Church Street in Kings Park and Nissequogue River State Park. The trail is a town of Smithtown park and follows an...
The Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail stretches just over 3 miles along Long Island’s north shore. Construction was completed in two phases with the first trail section opening in 2009...
The Savin Rock Trail offers just over a mile of paved pathway along West Haven’s coastline. Along the way, you’ll enjoy picturesque views of Long Island Sound and access to its sandy beaches. The west...
The Hop River State Park Trail is one of Connecticut's longest rail-trails. Narrow cuts and a lush tree canopy make for enjoyable visits year-round. Near its western end is the Charter Oak...
The Pequonnock River Trail—portions of which are also known as the Housatonic Railway Rails to Trails, Monroe Housatonic Railbed Trail and Pequonnock Valley Greenway—is a developing system stretching...
Thanks to skilled engineers with the former Hartford, Providence, & Fishkill Railroad, the pretty Vernon Rails-to-Trails overlooks ravines and streams and passes between rock walls verdant with ferns...
The Derby Greenway runs between Division Street and Main Street, paralleling the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers. The trail runs on top of a flood control dyke for the rivers; a portion of it goes...
Canopied with deciduous trees for most of its 10.4 miles, the Larkin State Park Trail (a.k.a. Larkin Bridle Path) is primarily a wilderness trail, with wooded vistas, wetland views and sparse...
Fahnestock State Park is a relatively undiscovered gems in the New York State Park System. Located a few miles east of Cold Spring Village on Rt. 301 (Main Street), the park jurisdiction was recently...
The Charter Oak Greenway is a paved, multi-use trail connecting parks with residential and commercial areas. The trail runs for 11 miles between Bolton and downtown Hartford, though there is currently...
Air Line State Park Trail winds for just over 55 miles from the northeast corner of Connecticut, where the state borders Massachusetts, down to East Hampton in the heart of the state. Over the state...
Note: Per the State of Connecticut's website, the trail is open from dawn to dusk March 1–November 30. The 4.5-mile Windsor Locks Canal Trail follows the Connecticut River and the Windsor Locks...
The Cheney Rail Trail follows part of the corridor of the South Manchester Railroad, built by the Cheney brothers in 1869. The line was a 2.5-mile spur from the main Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill...
Running north from the Yale University campus in New Haven through the heart of Connecticut, the multi-use Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, when completed will stretch uninterrupted more than 80 miles...
A part of Connecticut's first bus rapid transit line, the CTfastrak Trail serves as recreational and multi-use path for walking and bicycling between Downtown New Britain and Newington Junction. The...
The North County Trailway is the longest of the four connected rail-trails breathing new life into the former New York Central Railroad's Putnam Division line. The "Old Put" provided passenger and...
The EPCAL Alternative Transportation Path loops around the 2,900-acre Enterprise Park at Calverton (hence its name: EPCAL) on New York’s Long Island and links to the Town of Riverhead’s 65-acre...
The final passenger cars of the Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad ran in 1958, but the rail line that so influenced development of this area still sparks nostalgia. The "Old Put"...
Note: Per the State of Connecticut's website, the trail is open from dawn to dusk March 1–November 30. The 4.5-mile Windsor Locks Canal Trail follows the Connecticut River and the Windsor Locks...
A part of Connecticut's first bus rapid transit line, the CTfastrak Trail serves as recreational and multi-use path for walking and bicycling between Downtown New Britain and Newington Junction. The...
The Branford Trolley Trail is essentially a long footbridge occupying an old bridge along the route of an abandoned trolley track. The bridge links nature trails on both sides of the water through a...
The Savin Rock Trail offers just over a mile of paved pathway along West Haven’s coastline. Along the way, you’ll enjoy picturesque views of Long Island Sound and access to its sandy beaches. The west...
When complete, Connecticut's Shoreline Greenway Trail will be a scenic 25-mile route through four quaint New England towns off Long Island Sound. From Lighthouse Point to Hammonasset Beach State Park,...
The Hop River State Park Trail is one of Connecticut's longest rail-trails. Narrow cuts and a lush tree canopy make for enjoyable visits year-round. Near its western end is the Charter Oak...
The delightful asphalt Middlebury Greenway winds 4.4 miles through the residential community of Middlebury, connecting businesses, parks and neighborhoods. The popular trail offers residents an...
The Cheney Rail Trail follows part of the corridor of the South Manchester Railroad, built by the Cheney brothers in 1869. The line was a 2.5-mile spur from the main Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill...
The EPCAL Alternative Transportation Path loops around the 2,900-acre Enterprise Park at Calverton (hence its name: EPCAL) on New York’s Long Island and links to the Town of Riverhead’s 65-acre...
The Naugatuck River Greenway will one day span 44 miles from Torrington to Derby in western Connecticut, but is currently open in a few short disconnected segments totaling just over 5 miles. The...
The Trolley Trail runs through Plainfield and is a key link the East Coast Greenway. Plans are to use this trail as a link between the Moosup Valley State Park Trail and the Airline State Park...
The first phase of the New Milford River Trail runs southeast from Gaylordsville via the scenic but lightly traveled River Road, through Sega Meadows to Boardman Bridge, a distance of about 5 miles....
The Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail stretches just over 3 miles along Long Island’s north shore. Construction was completed in two phases with the first trail section opening in 2009...
When completed, the Norwalk River Valley Trail will run from Danbury to Long Island Sound in southwestern Connecticut, for a total of about 27 miles. Currently, several disconnected sections totaling...
Fahnestock State Park is a relatively undiscovered gems in the New York State Park System. Located a few miles east of Cold Spring Village on Rt. 301 (Main Street), the park jurisdiction was recently...
The Quarry Trail is currently a 600-foot long unimproved strip of land along what is known as Quarry Road in the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. The trail links Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic...
Air Line State Park Trail winds for just over 55 miles from the northeast corner of Connecticut, where the state borders Massachusetts, down to East Hampton in the heart of the state. Over the state...
Thanks to skilled engineers with the former Hartford, Providence, & Fishkill Railroad, the pretty Vernon Rails-to-Trails overlooks ravines and streams and passes between rock walls verdant with ferns...
The Kennedy Trail begins at the northwest corner of the 68-acre campus of John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Somers. The town, which sits 30 miles from White Plains and 55 miles from New York...
The Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail runs for 1.5 miles between Old Dock Road at Church Street in Kings Park and Nissequogue River State Park. The trail is a town of Smithtown park and follows an...
I had a great time riding this trail last Sunday. I started in Pomfret from the old railroad station parking lot on Railroad Street.
I rode 7.5 miles, then reached a very long section which was covered in rocks that were sharp edged, about 1 1/2inches on a side. I took a break and enjoyed the view over the wetland area there. I was just able to ride over that rocky section on my cross bike, but it was a rough and uncomfortable ride. It went on for around three miles!!
I'm curious to know why this one section is prepared so differently from the rest of the trail.
I rated the Air Line trail a 4 of 5 stars. When I previewed my review, it showed more like 15 stars. Why is that?
The 0.65 mi. extension of the trail from Curtis St. to Lazy Lane is now open although the connection from the old end of the trail at Curtis St. still requires crossing a tricky intersection. Lazy Lane is now the best place to start in Southington as there is a big new parking lot and that location provides easy access to and from Rt. 10 off the I-84 Queen Street exit. It is now 8.5 miles of continuous very well paved and completely off road trail from Lazy Lane in Southington to Rt.68 (West Main St.) in Cheshire. If you take the short .75 mile ride down Willow St. off of West Main St. to the Cornwall St. entrance of the trail you can get back off road very quickly. I rode the first .75 mile section of the trail south from Cornwall St. to Higgins Road to make it a nice 10 mile one way trek from Lazy Lane but I was surprised to see how many cracks there were on this part of the trail. They were all pretty much filled in but since they are very frequent and extend completely across the trail it was not very comfortable riding for a road bike. In contrast I don't recall seeing a single divot on the 8.5 mile section from Lazy Lane to Rt. 68. Another interesting aspect of this 10 mile section of the trail is that the first 4 miles headed south provides no shade at all in the September mid-afternoon and then the next 6 miles starting at about Rt. 322 is almost completely shaded. On a nice mid-70's afternoon that lack of shade in the beginning was actually very comfortable but I imagine it is kind of hot on a mid-summer afternoon. The contrast between the 2 sections of this 10 mile route makes for a great ride as those changes also parallel the route starting urban and turning almost rural by route end.
I think this trail is fine for local people who want to get a little exercise and bike through town. But it's not a trail you drive to for a scenic ride and it's not good with kids.
We parked I guess midway, in area the Greenwyay's facebook page directs you to. In a few blocks it turns into a sidewalk with a lot of strip mall driveways. the other way, the trail petered out onto a residential street after a few blocks. By myself I might have followed it to see if it became a trail again. But I didn't want to bike on the busy sidewalk or on the street with my kid. Also, the hills are not long but they are steep and challenging for a kid who is still on a bike with 20" tires and no gears. So we gave up. Wish trail link would have a category up top that defines trails as scenic "destination" rides or "getting around" local rides. It would have saved us a lot of time.
The part that goes through Beacon Falls is about a half mile long and it goes along the river, yes, but on a sidewalk through a not particularly charming town. The part in Naugatuck is paved for about a mile through a park and then turns to dirt, not suitable for a road or hybrid bike at all. Neither section was really worth the time it took to take our bikes on an off the rack.
Hey, this is a well-maintained, wide asphalt path and fine for their community. As the description stated, it is "hillier and more winding than a typical rail-trail," so take that into consideration. I am spoiled by rail trails, but am glad I did it once, but would not travel an hour and half again. If you're in the area or within half and hour drive it's very fine.
This is a hybrid/mountain bike trail. Great riding experience.
This trail should not be advertised as an 8.5 mile trail for walking. The first section is paved and well maintained. After the paved path ends, you are hiking through tall grass and often you question whether this is really a path or if you are actually trespassing. It usually feels like you are trespassing and blazing your own trail. Eventually, my wife and I abandoned the path when we came upon River Road and a hole in the fence. It was not worth the hassle to try to keep blazing our own trail. The dead, decaying deer in the middle of the path sealed the deal for us. We found our own way back through Enterprise Park. If this "trail" is intended as a publicly owned and maintained walking path, then it is falsely advertised as such. The path is probably great for mountain bikes if you enjoy pedaling through tall grass. AVOID UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE IN FOR.
I rode from Farmington to Mass. three times , Cheshire to New Haven one time, and Cheshire to Southington twice. I rode Farmington River Trail to Simsbury via Farmington Canal Heritage Trail several times. I am getting excited waiting for the 9.1 mi connection between Southington and Farmington. It has been an enjoyable summer of 2017 riding. Yes I am a member and intend to be for a long time. Great job to all involved.
Hi All,
Work has begun on (New Section) (Curtiss St Jct Kane St) to Lazy Lane (Southington, CT). However it won't be open until they fix the dangerous street intersections of (I believe Curtiss & Kane) (Was written in the new paper). Very Dangerous. Will be nice to have a new section! (When Done)
Happy Trails, Russ C
The west end of the Hop River Trail in Williamatic ends at the Connecticut Eastern Rail Road Museum at the bridge where the Hop River Trail joins the Airline trail and both go east to join Rt 32. Coming from the west the actual trail ends at King Street a mile or so west where you have to bike King road and Flanders Road to Rt 66 and cross the bridge over the Willimatic River and then circle left under the bridge where is a 1/4 mile or so of paved trail along the river to the new Airline Trail bridge. The old RR bridge is washed out and old trail faint. All of these aspects show on the Traillink map as a faint line if you maximize it. The map for the Airline trail shows this new connection with a dark red line for the Hop River Trail. Youker
I rode this trail 7 miles from Bolton Notch to the west end at Colonial Road with my wife driving shuttle. It is very difficult to find the entrance road to the parking lot for the trail at Bolton Notch. If you magnify the trail map at Bolton Notch the thin short dirt road shows on the map. It is just off I-384 just after Rt. 6/44 joins the super highway. Stay to right, go slow and look for the road and hard to see sign. It is a lovely trail, very level, good surface and shaded all the way. The maps on the State site, referenced from the Traillink site are good but slightly out of date for new construction. They are easy to print and show mileage. Youker
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