Explore the best rated trails in Cromwell, CT, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Mass Central Rail Trail and Shoreline Greenway Trail . With more than 58 trails covering 497 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.
Hubby & I went this morning for a trial run with my new e-bike! It was tons of fun!!!!
We rode this trail yesterday from the parking lot at Dunkin' Donuts in Moosup all the way to the Rhode Island border. The surface alternates between paved and stone dust/fine gravel and is very well maintained throughout. You can see where dirt bikes would have access coming through the trees down some of the steep banks but we did not see any, unlike the situation that other reviews have mentioned. Perhaps reinforcing an unfortunate state stereotype, immediately upon crossing over into Rhode Island where it is then called The Trestle Trail, after about 6 miles, the trail deteriorates significantly into a dirt trail and likely would be fairly muddy when wet with lots of deep puddles. I also noticed an immediate onslaught of bugs which was interesting. We turned around at this point as we only wanted to ride the Connecticut portion. I was very curious after reading all the reviews over the years about how bad this trail used to be. If you're looking for solitude this is your trail, as opposed to many of the Connecticut trails to the West. We maybe saw five or six people for our entire ride. The guy who owns the house in the quarry is super friendly, as is his German Shepherd Fiona, and offered us water since the day was fairly hot after seeing us from his porch. I highly recommend this trail if you're looking for a quiet, shorter 12-mile round trip ride. Only downside: zero porta potties along the route. You can hit the Dunkin' Do restroom before and after the ride.
Beautiful 1st ride on the Norwottuck Rail Trail. We parked at the Marshalls in Hadley (trail starts right behind the building) and road a little over 10 miles into EastHampton and back. It was a very easy ride (my 1st ride of this length) on asphalt.
The Northampton part, which is reallly the NORWATTUCK RAIL TRAIL is really 2 stars bc it's so confusing. Needs fundraising and signage. But the rest, Manhan Rail Trail, is really nice. 5 stars. We took photos to illustrate but I unfortunately deleted them by accident.
We had stayed at the Hotel Northampton & nobody could tell us for certain how to find the trail other than to mention the railroad tracks. We found a paved path by the tracks & headed left. We passed a stone that said <- BOS/NHV --> and that's all. (Couldn't imagine how Boston could be to the left or straight ahead.) Within about 20 minutes, that path ended by some really rundown stores. On an aerial Google map, it reads as NORWATTUCK RAIL TRAIL (& shows it as a hiking &rail trail on the east side of the railroad tracks) but there is no signage anywhere to guide you. So when we got to the end, we turned around & headed in the other direction (south). THIS NORWSTTUCK TRAIL definitely needs some help. (Or maybe some day to be extended.)
Back to where we started out & this time heading in the other direction the trail actually becomes nice & very well marked. It seems to become the NEWHAVEN AND NORTH CANAL RAIL TRAIL (BUT there are no signs to this effect).
Where you meet the MANHAN RAIL TRAIL the signage is very clear, even as you are going through a village center or crossing a street or road, & the trail is very nice. You're following the reservoir & get some nice riding in.
We just kept going until we reached Easthampton. There you can even pick up trail maps! Ride on, and by the Municipal Bldg there's a nice park & large pond where you can see Mt. Tom behind it. Lovely, relaxing, scenic.
Then the ride back to Northampton but this time we knew the trail well & just enjoyed it.
North of Ferry St., at Lower Mill Pond, the Manhan Trail branches off and follows the river, eventually reaching the Connecticut River & Mt. Tom State Reservation. Should be a lovely ride! (You can also turn off here when you're riding south from Northampton.
Mostly cinder. Started from access lot off of RT 7. Shared RT Trail with the Town Of new Milford. Parallels an active track. Good variety of terrain and scenery..
The trail is not accessible for a 3-mile stretch. From Green Haven and then Eastbound is impossible to pass. Trees have fallen down virtually every 50 yards blocking passage. I carried my bike past about 6 trees and each time I saw another tree blocking the trail. I came across a clean up crew that told me the downed trees went all the way to Green Haven. I was 3 miles east of Green Haven when the mess started. There is also debris along the entire section which I was fortunate not to get a flat tire. The cleaning crew told me they have only 4 people and they will try to hire a contractor to clear the trees. There is no way a crew of 4 people could handle this. It would take them months to clean it up. (July 10, 2026)
The Trailways Bridge over the river in Brewster is open, eliminating the on-road detour. The eastern end is currently at the NY/CT line at Farrington Woods (with trail parking) in CT. Long range plans are to develop the CT portion of the RR path to Danbury.
There are far more legit parking areas than currently shown on TrailLink. Services are few and some might seem close lack easy access from route to road. High point is Whaley Lake. The trail is in good condition for it's entire length.
From EBBP over mostly dedicated path or protected bike lanes:
Over Washington Bridge thru India Pt Park;
Under I-195 along S. Water St. crossing Wickendon St. onto bike path along Providence River;
Cross Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial (pedestrian) Bridge over river then head west uphill along Ship, Chestnut then Clifford Streets;
Clifford St over I-95 bridge, onto Friendship St downhill then left onto Broad;
Along Broad then right onto Peace St (next to St. Joseph's Med Ctr);
Peace turns into Waverly. Waverly left onto Cranston St.;
Cranston St. (unprotected) under Rte10 then left onto Depot St.;
Arrived!
Cranston St is very busy with moving and parked cars and peds. An alternative bypass: along Peace St as above, but at Dexter St crossing where it turns to Waverly, turn left onto Dexter. Then right onto Waldo St, down to the second side street left onto Brattle St; this tees into Potters Av (busy!), quick dogleg right/left onto Homestead Av, (which tees into) turn right onto Huntington Av. A few blocks later, you reach Cranston St. at the Rte 10 underpass; then continue as before. Note: the northbound Huntington Av here is a quiet side road after it splits from the main northbound side Huntington Av highway.
Great ride. First time on a gravel surface and found it pretty easy going with a few rough spots. It rained the night before and early morning, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Trail was damp but no big puddles. I took in 28 miles of the 40 out and back. Will do it again and try to get the whole distance.
Rode Simsbury down to Plainville. Simsbury to Avon was full of tree root bumps, and lots of branches & trail debris. It's almost as if Simsbury wants to keep cyclists out. ¿ However, Avon and Farmington were great rides, as was Plainville.
Trail was asphalt and exceptionally well maintained. At intersections, drivers in cars were most courteous I'd ever seen. Cars stopped to let bikers across; sometimes even when light was green. Heading West is a slight uphill, which makes return trip exceptionally easy. My daughter and I enjoyed many bridge crossing. Stopping at one bridge we encountered a resident feeding turtles off the bridge; carp on the Pawtuxet river took some meant for turtles. There were many nice graphics at stops explaining Coventry and other industrial towns along the way. Many beautiful old brick mill building were seen also. We passed three ice cream places, General store, and a tavern. Ride was quite beautiful and treed.
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