Explore the best rated trails in Putnam, CT, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Charles River Bike Path and Upper Charles Trail . With more than 73 trails covering 545 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.
A sidepath has been constructed adjacent to Route 189 to Main St in Tariffville. Trail is now about 3 miles long. It will be designated as part of the East Coast Greenway and is visible on Google Street View.
After reading many of the mixed reviews for this trail on TrailLink, I decided to keep my ride short but sweet by restricting it to what seemed to be the most picturesque - the portion between the historic Unionville train depot and the Riverside Nursery and Garden Center in Collinsville.
This part of the trail contains breathtaking views of the officially deemed wild and scenic Farmington River. In addition, since I did this in mid October, the river was a perfect reflecting glass for the amazing fall colors.
My ride was only a total of twelve miles out and back, but I now have the most perfect photos, videos, and memories of this Connecticut treasure!
The bike ride is easy and mostly flat with lots of locals getting their steps in and exercising their dogs. Surprisingly, I only encountered two other bicyclists on my early weekday morning ride.
I traveled all the way from California with high expectations for this trail and I wasn't let down (except for the repairs being made on the damaged portion of the trail). It's all good. I made it work.
What an awesome trail for a mid October bike ride!
- The colors of the trees reflected upon the numerous ponds and lakes.
- The pleasant chirping and squawking of active birds.
- Leaves fluttering gently to the ground.
- A wide, smooth path carpeted in golden brown leaves.
- Historic buildings.
- Industrious squirrels.
- Old, historic stone walls.
- Deep, dark woods.
- Rolling, grass covered hills.
- Harvested pumpkins on a farm being sorted into bins.
- Goats, horses, and the friendliest trail users you could ever hope to cross paths with!
I took a leisurely four hours out and back and over 200 photos and video to capture my wonderful memories of this trail. Thank you Massachusetts and New Hampshire!
We love biking the Airline and have used non electric hybrid bikes as well as e-bikes. Both work well. On 10/28/2023 we biked the section from Willimantic parking at the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum area and pedaled to Rt. 207 Lebanon Rd, Amston, CT. FYI, we're in our 60s and encountered no difficulties with the terrain.
Contrary to the symbol on the map, parking is NOT available at the Fresh Pond end, even on Sundays, unless you live in Cambridge, and even then, "Permit Required". I drove almost two hours to get there and back, and never got to walk it.
The path is nice and cool in the summer due to lots of shade. Much of it has large sections of big tree roots, though.
I have ridden this trail many times, and always enjoy it. It is well maintained, well marked, plenty of great places to park for a variety of stop/starting points. Several lovely bridges over roads that would be difficult or impossible to cross. A bike shop along the route, even EV charging stations at the lot by the West Concord train station, where you can also visit the lovely shops and cafes nearby!
Be aware that the section from West Concord towards the Sudbury expansion is well used by the nearby Middle school for after school activities and can be heavily congested during that time. Road cycling can be a challenge weekday afternoons when school is in session.
Nice quiet ride to take time to enjoy these beautiful days.
This trail is pretty much abandoned and mislabeled in the site description.
I went here expecting it to be asphalt like it says in the description, I intended to rollerblade it. Instead, I decided to walk it. The path is dirt and very much abandoned. It would be a very nice path after some updates and repair. It still gave a very nice view of the waterfall at the end of the path.
First: be aware that a recent storm has washed out a section of the trail about 2 miles from the Ayer parking lot in Sept 2023. People are portaging past it, but some set-ups might not work in this situation. That said, this is a great trail. Plenty of parking at many points along the way, some even have EV chargers!
Gorgeous and very well kept trail. Very shady! We started at the Amtrak Station. Beautiful ride all the way to the end. Took the left at the end down to The Towers and Narragansett Beach. We had wonderful lunch at the Coast Guard House. Great view! Helps to have a reservation but we were able to get in.
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