Explore the best rated trails in Charlestown, RI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Southern New England Trunkline Trail and Stillwater Scenic Walkway . With more than 31 trails covering 237 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The trail in Cranston was repaved recently. There weren’t even lines painted yet! It was a smooth ride. There was one detour due to the paving, but it was an easy ride on a side street.
When I attempted this trail in 2022, I called it "the worst ride of my life." I got covered in mud, and the numerous puddles teemed with mosquitos. But what a difference two years made!
The trail has been vastly improved, now offering a highly pleasant ride through Connecticut's Route 14 corridor. It does, however, become rougher shortly after you cross Route 14-A near the Rhode Island state line. I only hope further improvements will be made.
Mile 17-7 going south from Woonsocket the trail is marked. Very enjoyable ride.
Love the beautiful trail, but horseback riders should have a manure bag on the horses to catch their droppings. Not fair to others walking the trail.
When I first rode this trail in 2012, it was horrible, even though I had a mountain bike. My wife and I just settled on driving over to Coventry, RI to ride; Moosup was next to impossible. But several months ago work began to get it fixed up. What a nice job, with drainage, a new stone-dust surface, and nice fencing. We have ridden trails all over town country, and this is one of the nicest anywhere. Now, if RI will finish the Washington Secondary Trail from Summit to the state line, I could ride all the way to Providence without having to go on the road!
So much of this path is great so it’s unfortunate that the portion of the path nearest Norton is in such a state of disrepair. There are quite literally blocks inserted between the path and the road to fill the gap, but only on one side of the path so if a cyclist chooses the wrong side they will take a lovely concrete spill. Not only that, it’s not always the same side. Sometimes left, sometimes right. I chose poorly and am now the bearer of some lovely watercolor designs all the way up my right side. Had this been temporary, it would be understandable, but a month after the first visit they are still present and repairs are not made. Also, the holes, or planters, or whatever they are, that split the path into right and left are dangerous. After you’ve traversed the gap (maybe you’ve chosen the side with the block and didn’t fall in!), you will then be required to navigate around a water-filled pit. If you’re teetering from choosing the side without a filler block, hope you don’t fall in! (Just fill that in. They’re dangerous and unnecessary. It’s. Bike path, not an English garden.)
This was an absolutely beautiful trail a few crossovers on some busy intersections but most crossings were in small neighborhoods car drivers in these neighborhoods were observant and allowed the bikers to cross Today was a gorgeous day weather wise so lots of walkers and bikers out there no issues. We will definitely be riding this trail many more times
Southern end of the trail has had about .3-.5 miles of paved section added.
Along the river to Quandock Brook.
There is still some work being done. mostly placing fencing. but, the surface is finished, and the trail is open. Public making use of it again.
Mostly stonedust, with a few paved sections. New signage/crosswalks for road intersections. signs, no blinking lights.
new parking. 3 new lots.
A new parking lot has been added to the corner of Railroad ave and Spring lake rd, just off 14 and 14a in sterling, towards the "end" of the trail, at the ct state line.
A parking lot has been added on industrial park rd, in sterling, up the big field, next to the trail.
Another small parking lot added to Barber hill road, off n main st, across the river next to the trail in Moosup.
the .7m paved section from the start to Barber hill rd is unchanged.
2 park bench locations.
one off Main street in sterling. the north west side, next to Weidele's pizza and pub. (which recently moved from rt 14 to here).
another next to the "rainbow bridge", off the new Babcock rd access.
The project was 3.85million.
Major work done to fix drainage. The vast majority of which does seem solved. Theres a couple places with some problems still. (particularly about .5miles east from rt 14 in sterling, towards babcock/providence rd). some runoff, and one large puddle still.
The bollards blocking the bridge over the moosup river between sterling and moosup, .3 from sterling have been removed. This section is now wheelchair/stroller/bike carriage friendly.
The bollards for the rainbow bridge over Providence road have not been removed. the clearance is 36". (note, the north east side of the trail is only 34". the right side, coming from the paved section. the left side is 36")
plan accordingly.
Bypass is not quick and easy. From moosup, turn up Babcock road access, then right/south onto Providence road, go under the bridge, down to 14A/plainfield pike. Turn left/east on 14a, continue to taking a left onto railroad ave. up to the new Railroad ave trail access.
14a is a fairly heavy use road with little to no shoulder.
The .5mile paved section from Spring lake rd, to the bridge over Providence rd has also been repaired, with pavement.
Official renovations end at 14a, and the state line.
Atvs and dirtbikes are already tearing up the trail... hoping regular foot/bike traffic gets them to stop. not sure who to call, state police, or deep.
The section from RI state border to paved Washington secondary bike path is getting worse.
from ct/ri State line to Lewis farm road its dirt.
heavy use from ATVS/dirt bike is creating moguls and puddles. its still possible to go around, but is getting less fun and manageable every year.
The levee/valley for Carbunkle pond is very soft sand. roadbikes/strollers/wheelchairs beware. get off and walk, and/or try to go on the grass to the north side of the trail. a huge washout at the trail to carbunkle pond.
from lewis farm road, to hopkins hollow rd is railroad grade gravel. perpetually wet. a very large puddle at the entrance of hopkins hollow rd.
from hopkins hollow rd, to log bridge road/summit general store/102. dirt/gravel, and moguls, moguls moguls. past the wind turbines, there is also a large puddle that can be bypassed by going up into the woods.
also a few trees down.
Best to just bypass this section, if on roadbike or all terrain. if coming from Washington secondary, head north up log bridge road, then west on 117. take the right in Green, staying on 117. at Lewis farm road(a dirt road), you have a choice, take it to the trail, and do the slightly rough section between lewis farm rd, and 14a. Or, just stay on 117, continue to 14, taking a left onto it, and continue to 14a, taking a left onto 14a. 14a to the trail again. Renovated section.
Nice trail to spend a day doing East Providence Part could be a little better but besides that beautiful scenery along the way at the Bristol side lot of nice restaurants and Park with a lot of great views
This is a well maintained, scenic paved trail with a connecting loop around Colt State Park (additional 3 miles or so if chosen). Approximately half the trail is shaded with lots of road crossings, most of which - despite the signs - can be safely traversed w/o dismounting. We parked at India Park and headed off to southern end near Bristol where there were plenty of benches to relax and enjoy the views before heading back,
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