Find the top rated running trails in Litchfield, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
TrailLink is not updated and someone should confirm but a visiting cyclist on the user-run Facebook Rail to Trails site just posted that he rode 10 paved miles at the Kingston end!
The Columbia Greenway Rail Trail is a beautiful rail trail that has a little of everything. City views, farmland, rivers, and tree cover in just 3 miles. The bridges are also a feature that make this trail unique. I love that it connects to trails that go much further south into CT, so whether you are just going for a short walk or a long ride you can do it here! Plenty of access points too (including 4 in downtown Westfield alone) make it easy to get on the trail from nearby neighborhoods or get off to shop and eat at downtown businesses.
I stopped on Wednesday on my way home to walk my dog. Very quiet during the week and a lovely walk if you like to listen to the water from the Connecticut river flowing by. You can see where the river has flooded, read the various historical statue plaques.
Excellent experience on this fresh paved trail. The scenery of the ponds and mountains in the distance was worth the trip.
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.
After starting in New Paltz on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and then crossing the Walkway Over The Hudson, I continued on to the Dutchess Rail Trail. I only went a few miles before turning around and heading back to New Paltz for a 21 mile ride.
The portion I rode is for the most part heavily forested, so if you like colorful trees in the fall or shade in the summer you'll love this. The trail is easy to ride, in amazing condition, and on a weekday morning in mid October lightly used. I especially appreciated the use of wood fencing in many spots which was the perfect architectural touch for this trail. Another highlight was Morgan Lake with its lovely swans and colorful trees reflecting upon the water.
I wish I would have had the time to venture further into the beautiful rural areas, but time was of the essence. I guess I have a reason to return and do the full length next time!
After pedaling down the Hudson Valley Rail Trail from New Paltz, I made my way onto the walkway. It was 7:30 on a brisk mid October weekday morning, and the bridge was not crawling with hordes of tourists (like me). Instead it was obviously primarily locals out jogging, getting their steps in on their walks, rollerblading, and walking their dogs.
The views are as expected - absolutely sensational and breathtaking looking both up and downriver.
After continuing across I proceeded to explore the Dutchess Rail Trail for several miles before heading back.
As luck would have it, when I returned the walkway was a completely different world. It was totally enveloped in fog, and you could no longer see the Hudson let alone fifty yards in front of you. The bridge was essentially deserted. Worst of all, I didn't get to do my selfies with a Hudson River background!
The walkway, combined with the rail trails on either end, is a must destination ride for bicyclists. What an unforgettable experience!
In my quest to bicycle in all fifty states, I drove 2,800 miles in order to ride my bike on this rail trail. It's hard to elaborate upon the Rails-To-Trails description. It was exactly as advertised and an absolute joy to experience on a brisk fall morn in early October.
About all I can add is the trail is flat, plenty wide, in excellent condition, and is a fun ride in autumn as the leaves are changing color and fluttering down to transform the path's hue from black to golden brown. There's also plenty of railroad memorabilia here and there to enhance the ride.
I didn't drive nearly 3,000 miles to just ride a seven mile trail. Naturally I continued on across the Walkway Over The Hudson and then on to the Dutchess Rail Trail for a fuller experience of the Hudson Valley! It was all exactly as I had hoped it would be!
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.
I rode the southern half of this trail from Millerton to Wasaic the first week in October on a 75° afternoon. Beautiful ride on a beautiful day.
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