Looking for the best trails around Hartford?

Explore the best rated trails in Hartford, CT, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Southern New England Trunkline Trail and Windsor River Trail . With more than 53 trails covering 426 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.

Recent Trail Reviews

Mass Central Rail Trail

Ware to Gilbertville and Gilbertville to Wheelwright

November, 2024 by arno911

Rode the two sections of this beautiful trail today. From the parking spot in the middle of the Ware trail towards Gilbertville is a nice ride along the river. But a short one. Opposite the old factory the trail suddenly ends and there are handwritten signs "Stop, Don´t go further, Private property..." It would only take a few yards to reach the next road to travel on towards Gilbertville. No chance. Shame on you, property owners! (The trailmap shows a way through, but that might be an error?)

Okay, same way back and on to Route 32 past Gilbertville, where the next trailhead is waiting;-)
Smooth surface, well maintained and even good for kids bikes and flat all the way to Wheelwright. 3 nice old bridges. This is one is fully recommended! Absolutely worth it.

Southern New England Trunkline Trail

A gravel riding sampler trail.

November, 2024 by walkinator007

This trail is a mixed bag. I mean literally you can expect to see everything from nice paved road, to chunky, rocky eroded sand, and everything in between. A fair amount of light gravel and packed clay and dirt for fast gravel riding. some sandy parts where you’d benefit from a wider tire. some chunky rocks and eroded sections. If you’re doing the whole thing, gravel or hybrid bike at the least. Wider tires and suspension are recommended. I did this on a gravel bike with relatively narrow all terrain tires and it was great most of the time but definitely not optimal for the roughest sections. overall this ia great trail to learn gravel riding and test your bike’s capabilities.

Harlem Valley Rail Trail

Everything you could ask for

October, 2024 by robert.richter89

I rode the entire 24.7 mile southern portion of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail on a beautiful fall day. The HVRT offers everything you could want from a trail experience: a fully paved surface, mostly flat, beautiful scenery (especially in the Fall) and a perfect mid-point trailhead to grab a bite to eat.

I don't recall seeing any water fountains along the trail although the trailhead in Millerton offers many options for places to eat or resupply. The HVRT offers a myriad of scenery changes from farmland, quiet streams, distant hills to quaint towns. I have ridden many paved rail trails in the past and the HVRT is one of the best with almost no surface imperfections for the entire distance. There are many trailheads along the entire trail giving many distance options. All this adds up to a perfect trail in my opinion!

Accordion

Harlem Valley Rail Trail

trail is complete now but map not updated

October, 2024 by vbergerg_tl

Map is 6 months out of date

Cheney Rail Trail

Cheney Trail

September, 2024 by nicoleh742

Hubby and I discovered this trail last fall. We absolutely love it. It's a beautiful hike with all the leaves changing. Great for pets too as it's a pretty flat walk. It's def longer than 1.7 miles though. I love that the leaves are changing we will be frequented this trail alot during this fall season!

Cheney Rail Trail

Cheney Trail

September, 2024 by nicoleh742

Hubby and I discovered this trail last fall. We absolutely love it. It's a beautiful hike with all the leaves changing. Great for pets too as it's a pretty flat walk. It's def longer than 1.7 miles though. I love that the leaves are changing we will be frequented this trail alot during this fall season!

Moosup Valley State Park Trail

What an improvement!

September, 2024 by bopflu

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.

Air Line State Park Trail

We had a great ride! 6.6 miles. Beautiful day!

September, 2024 by susanmazur13

We had a great ride! 6.6 miles. Beautiful day!

Mass Central Rail Trail

Weston-Waltham section

September, 2024 by msandman1943_tl

This section (8/2024) is about 5 miles long. It goes through woodland and past leafy backyards, but it runs alongside the towers for a high-tension power line. Trees have been clear-cut about 25 feet on both sides of the trail, so there's no shade along this section. But the trail is wide, very straight, and smoothly paved. It has a few small ups and downs and crosses four or five quiet roads before it comes to a traffic signal at the intersection of Routes 126 and 27. Just beyond, the trail turns to crushed stone with a few sandy patches. There's a large supermarket and shopping center adjacent to the trail at that point.

Southwick Rail Trail

Very busy on sunny weekend, well kept trail

September, 2024 by mdnkcn

We started going north on Copper Hill Rd East Granby Ct parking area and finished the trail in Westfield MA. Trail was all asphalt and in good shape. Most of the trail was scenic farmland but toward the north end going toward Westfield was some residential and city though still was plesent to the eye. Next time we plan to take the trail south at the Copper Hill Parking and take the trail to where it hopefully meets the Farmington River Trail

Moosup Valley State Park Trail

Horse

August, 2024 by janeyac1

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.

Chicopee River Canal Rail Trail

Unfinished trail. Did not feel safe on portions of the trail.

August, 2024 by bdrzyzga

Unfinished trail. Did not feel safe on portions of the trail.

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