North Branford, CT Running Trails and Maps

959 Reviews

Looking for the best Running trails around North Branford?

Find the top rated running trails in North Branford, 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.

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
46 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Air Line State Park Trail

60.3 mi
State: CT
Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Bloomfield Greenway Multi-Use Trail

1.8 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Branford Trolley Trail

0.6 mi
State: CT
Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Farmington Canal Heritage Trail

47.6 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Farmington River Trail

16.5 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Hanover Pond Trail

1 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Hartford Riverwalk

1.7 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Hop River State Park Trail

20 mi
State: CT
Crushed Stone

Kennedy Trail

1.7 mi
State: NY
Cinder

Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail

1.5 mi
State: NY
Asphalt

Kress Family Trail

3.1 mi
State: CT
Dirt

Litchfield Community Greenway

2.5 mi
State: CT
Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Mattabassett Trolley Trail

2.9 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Maybrook Trailway

28.6 mi
State: NY
Asphalt

North Shore Rail Trail

10.4 mi
State: NY
Asphalt

Pequonnock River Trail

13.6 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Putnam Trailway

12 mi
State: NY
Asphalt

Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail

1.3 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Southwick Rail Trail

6.5 mi
State: MA
Asphalt
Accordion

Sue Grossman Still River Greenway

3.4 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Windsor River Trail

0.8 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

CTfastrak Multi-Use Trail

4.4 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Concrete

Captain John Bissell Trail

4.5 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Charter Oak Greenway

16.6 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Cheney Rail Trail

1.7 mi
State: CT
Crushed Stone

EPCAL Alternative Transportation Path

9.28 mi
State: NY
Asphalt

G & S Trolley trail

1.6 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Larkin State Park Trail

10.8 mi
State: CT
Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Middlebury Greenway

4.5 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

New Milford River Trail

5 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Niantic Bay Boardwalk

1.1 mi
State: CT
Boardwalk, Concrete, Gravel

Quinnipiac Linear Trail

2.1 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Gravel

Savin Rock Trail

1.2 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Concrete

Shoreline Greenway Trail

4.1 mi
State: CT
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Derby Greenway

1.97 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Dirt

Norwalk River Valley Trail

12.2 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Parks to Ports Greenway Trail

3.7 mi
State: NY
Asphalt

Ridgefield Rail Trail

2.3 mi
State: CT
Gravel

Stratton Brook State Park Trail

1.2 mi
State: CT
Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone

Billings Trail

3.3 mi
State: CT
Dirt

Naugatuck River Greenway

7.4 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Middletown Westlake Area Bikeway

2.2 mi
State: CT
Asphalt

Northport Rail Trail

0.75 mi
State: NY
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview The Air Line State Park Trail winds 60.3 miles from the northeast corner of Connecticut, where the state borders Massachusetts, down to East Hampton in the heart of the state. The pathway...
CT 60.3 mi Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
Bloomfield Greenway Multi-Use Trail is 1.8 miles between Bloomfield and Simsbury. The trail is envisioned to someday act as a connector between the City of Hartford and the Farmington Canal Heritage...
CT 1.8 mi Asphalt
Overview The Branford Trolley Trail is essentially a 0.6-mile footbridge occupying an old bridge along the route of an abandoned trolley track. About the Route The long bridge links nature...
CT 0.6 mi Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel
Overview First a canal, then a railroad, and now a trail defines the history of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. Completed segments span Connecticut south to north, from New Haven to the...
CT 47.6 mi Asphalt
Overview A dozen miles west of Connecticut’s capital of Hartford, the Farmington River Trail forms a 16.5-mile arc that connects to the larger Farmington Canal Heritage Trail on both ends. The...
CT 16.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The Hanover Pond Trail is a mile-long rail-trail in Meriden, Connecticut offering scenic natural escape combined with historical exploration. The smooth asphalt trail is open to a diverse range of...
CT 1 mi Asphalt
The Hartford Riverwalk is a charming network of paved pathways for cyclists and pedestrians that runs along the banks of the Connecticut River through the state capital. The trail provides an off-road...
CT 1.7 mi Asphalt
It’s hard to pick a favorite season to experience the Hop River State Park Trail, set amid the dense forests of Eastern Connecticut. Sections of the 20-mile rail-trail dive through steep rock cuts...
CT 20 mi Crushed Stone
The Kennedy Trail begins at Brick Hill Road and ends at the northwest corner of the 68-acre campus of John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Somers.  The cinder trail, built on a former rail bed,...
NY 1.7 mi Cinder
The Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail runs for 1.5 miles between Old Dock Road at Church Street in Kings Park and Nissequogue River State Park. The trail is a town of Smithtown park and follows an...
NY 1.5 mi Asphalt
The 3.1-mile Kress Family Trail in Roxbury occupies the former route of the Shepaug Valley Railroad (the Shepaug, Litchfield and Northern Railroad). The railroad was famously known as the “crookedest...
CT 3.1 mi Dirt
The Litchfield Community Greenway runs along the former Shepaug Railway railbed in the Town of Litchfield. Operational from 1878 to 1948, the railroad line ran between between Litchfield and...
CT 2.5 mi Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Where a trolley once ran, now you can too on the south bank of the Mattabessett River. The electrified trolley shuttled passengers from Berlin to Middletown and beyond. The smooth blacktop and an easy...
CT 2.9 mi Asphalt
Closure Notice: Due to flooding and storm damage, the Maybrook Trailway from Green Haven Rd. to Depot Hill Rd. See Empire State Trail for more current information. Overview The Maybrook Trailway...
NY 28.6 mi Asphalt
Overview The North Shore Rail Trail, formerly known as the Rails to Trails Recreational Path, is a 10.4-mile multi-use recreational path. About the Route From its eastern endpoint on Wading...
NY 10.4 mi Asphalt
Note: ALL Trumbull town parks require permit parking stickers year-round (also noted on the signboards at each park entrance).  Overview  The Pequonnock River Trail is the formal name for this...
CT 13.6 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Overview  The old New York Central rail line that ran from the Bronx to communities north of the city in Westchester and Putnam Counties carried commuters during the workweek, but on the weekends,...
NY 12 mi Asphalt
The Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail is a 1.3-mile rail-trail in Meridan, Connecticut. The trail occupies the former railbed of the Meriden, Waterbury & Connecticut River Railroad, a 17-mile line which...
CT 1.3 mi Asphalt
The Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail stretches just over 3 miles along Long Island’s north shore. Construction was completed in two phases with the first trail section opening in 2009...
NY 3.4 mi Asphalt
The Southwick Rail Trail extends from the Massachusetts–Connecticut state line north to the Westfield town line and connects to the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. Along the way, it travels through...
MA 6.5 mi Asphalt
Accordion
Just over 3 miles long, the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway is anchored by Winsted to the north and Torrington to the south. It occupies the right-of-way of the Naugatuck Division of the New York,...
CT 3.4 mi Asphalt
The Windsor River Trail is a paved trail along the Connecticut River in Windsor Meadows State Park. The trail begins at the state park’s parking lot on E Barber St. The Captain John Bissell Trail,...
CT 0.8 mi Asphalt
A part of Connecticut's first bus rapid transit line, the CTfastrak Trail serves as recreational and multi-use path for walking and bicycling between Downtown New Britain and Newington Junction. The...
CT 4.4 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Bissell name looms large in this part of New England, and has been immortalized in multiple ways, including the Bissell Ferry, the Bissell Memorial Bridge and now, the Captain John Bissell trail,...
CT 4.5 mi Asphalt
The Charter Oak Greenway offers more than 16 miles of paved pathway through Hartford and its eastern suburbs. At first glance, the trail looks as if it is simply a highway side path, but the journey...
CT 16.6 mi Asphalt
The Cheney Rail Trail follows part of the corridor of the South Manchester Railroad, built by the Cheney brothers in 1869. The line was a 2.5-mile spur from the main Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill...
CT 1.7 mi Crushed Stone
Overview The EPCAL Alternative Transportation Path loops around the 2,900-acre Enterprise Park at Calverton (hence its name: EPCAL) on New York’s Long Island and links to the Town of Riverhead’s...
NY 9.28 mi Asphalt
At the turn of the 20th century, Groton & Stonington Railway Company began to move passengers between Groton to Mystic via electric trolleys. But in 25 years, the line had been discontinued due to...
CT 1.6 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
The Larkin State Park Trail meanders 10.8 miles through the woods and around the lakes and low hills of southwestern Connecticut. The rail-trail follows the route of the New York & New England...
CT 10.8 mi Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
The Middlebury Greenway provides a paved, off-road option for a self-propelled journey across suburban Middlebury. The trail touches on several business districts and parks, ending at an amusement...
CT 4.5 mi Asphalt
The first phase of the New Milford River Trail runs southeast from Gaylordsville via the scenic but lightly traveled River Road, through Sega Meadows to Boardman Bridge, a distance of about 5 miles....
CT 5 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Bookended by beaches and offering gorgeous vistas of Niantic Bay, the Niantic Bay Boardwalk is a must-do excursion in the small Connecticut village of Niantic, part of the larger Town of East Lyme....
CT 1.1 mi Boardwalk, Concrete, Gravel
The Qunnipiac Linear Trail is an easy multipurpose path in Wallingford, Connecticut. The trail skirts Community Lake while traveling a heavily wooded corridor along the Quinnipiac River. It is one of...
CT 2.1 mi Asphalt, Gravel
The Savin Rock Trail offers just over a mile of paved pathway along West Haven’s coastline. Along the way, you’ll enjoy picturesque views of Long Island Sound and access to its sandy beaches. The west...
CT 1.2 mi Asphalt, Concrete
When complete, Connecticut’s Shoreline Greenway Trail will be a scenic 25-mile route through four quaint New England towns off Long Island Sound. From Lighthouse Point to Hammonasset Beach State Park,...
CT 4.1 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
The Rockville Spur, a section of Vernon Rails-to-Trails, is a stone-dust rail-trail stretching 4.2 miles into the heart of historical Rockville. The trail begins on Warren Avenue in Vernon, but you’ll...
CT 4.2 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
Note: Per the State of Connecticut's website, the trail is open from dawn to dusk April 1–November 14. Eagle nesting activities can delay the opening of the southern trail head in Windsor...
CT 5.4 mi Asphalt
Overview Running alongside both the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers, the Derby Greenway demonstrates a seamless integration of Connecticut’s natural river systems and parks with man-made...
CT 1.97 mi Asphalt, Dirt
When completed, the Norwalk River Valley Trail will run from Danbury to Long Island Sound in southwestern Connecticut, for a total of about 27 miles. Currently, several disconnected sections totaling...
CT 12.2 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel
This shared-use path was built as part of the improvement of NY State Route 347 in Suffolk County. SR 347 is a 15-mile arterial between Hauppauge and Port Jefferson, and the trail is envisioned to...
NY 3.7 mi Asphalt
The Ridgefield Rail-Trail meanders for nearly 2.5 miles through the forested exburbs of Ridgefield, Connecticut. The trail passes among suburban acreages, along a creek at one point, and past a couple...
CT 2.3 mi Gravel
The Stratton Brook State Park Trail presents a great way to work up an appetite for a picnic at Stratton Brook State Park, the first state park in Connecticut to be entirely wheelchair accessible. The...
CT 1.2 mi Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone
Open in several disconnected segments, the Billings Trail is a dirt path that traverses a lovely scenic and wooded landscape outside Norfolk in northern Connecticut. Built on the abandoned railbed of...
CT 3.3 mi Dirt
The Naugatuck River Greenway will one day span 44 miles from Torrington to Derby in western Connecticut, but is currently open in a few short, disconnected segments totaling just over 7 miles. The...
CT 7.4 mi Asphalt
Over 2 miles from start to finish, this U-shaped trail meets both the commuting and the recreational needs of local residents in Middletown. The trail begins on Middle St, marked by a trailhead with a...
CT 2.2 mi Asphalt
Overview The Northport Rail Trail runs for 0.75 miles in the suburbs of Northport on Long Island, NY. About the Route The northern end of the Northport Rail Trail is located along Elwood Rd....
NY 0.75 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Recent Trail Reviews

Maybrook Trailway

5 Star

July, 2024 by z4g9gshqpr

The smoothest trail you will find anywhere around NYC. Nice and long, mostly flat. As others have pointed out, plants are beginning to overgrow on the Dutchess County end and need to be cut back. But the trail goes by numerous lakes and offers fantastic views. Highly recommend. Just make sure to start early because the trail is quite long.

Maybrook Trailway

Maybrook to Brewster

July, 2024 by bktourer1

Excellent trail except for the staircase once you get into Brewster from the Danbury area. Why wasn't a ramp put in instead of 2 steep staircases to carry a bike up or down?

Maybrook Trailway

Incredible Trail -- Almost impassable in Dutchess County Right Now

July, 2024 by dryaun

The Dutchess County portion of this incredible biking trail is almost unusable right now. Weeds wildly overgrown and sticking out 4-5 feet into the trail on either side. The Dutchess County people responsible for this negligence should be ashamed of themselves.

Accordion

Norwalk River Valley Trail

Two Trails

July, 2024 by z4g9gshqpr

These are really 2 separate trails with a variety of surfaces and a bit of street riding. The Norwalk trail is mostly asphalt going north from the sound while the trail in Wilton has about half going through a wooded area with pea gravel. This is the most enjoyable spot to ride as the other half of the Wilton trail dies out north of town on Route 7 with nothing around. If they were ever able to connect the two routes you would have something.

Charter Oak Greenway

parts are great

July, 2024 by rn28wc7n8y

Manchester towards Hartford is great for a few miles. Then it gets a little dicey and unpleasant. You’re forced onto sidewalks through busy neighborhoods and alongside a highway with only a jersey barrier between you and reckless drivers.

Maybrook Trailway

beautiful trail with an ownership dispute

July, 2024 by vbergerg_tl

Beautiful needed trail, extending the Dutchess Trail down to Brewster. Pity there seems to be some big ownership/maintenance dispute going on I guess between Dutchess County and NYS? Because right now no one is cutting back the weeds on the Dutchess County side and there’s a big defensively toned sign up saying that Dutchess County is not responsible.

Sue Grossman Still River Greenway

B bear aware

July, 2024 by willthegreat

Twice this week I saw a bear x the trail near the USA transfer station.
Also saw two women digging up poppies! That's a no no!
The extended trail that ends by the motor vehicle bldg has beautiful poppies and other ornamentals! Well done you guys!

Farmington Canal Heritage Trail

love this trail

July, 2024 by pamiller919

The map shows a disconnect, but the trail went all the way through. We did the whole trail and although it had a bunch of twigs it was a great ride. Well marked and in very good condition

Air Line State Park Trail

Get outta here. Put an asphalt trail down or stop wasting our time.

June, 2024 by db7178

Get outta here. Put an asphalt trail down or stop wasting our time.

Putnam Trailway

meh

June, 2024 by vbergerg_tl

Finally reached it from the North County trail way and was both surprised and disappointed. Some nice spots but mostly odd hills and backend of towns. Expected it to be much nicer. Now I’m trying to figure out the road connections in Brewster to get to the better reviewed Maybrook.

Hop River State Park Trail

Terrific Trail

May, 2024 by 9q8skpdwwc

Just finished the whole trail, plus the Charter Oak Trail, from Columbia to Manchester, and back. 44 miles at 12.5 mph. A very gentle steady climb of about 500 feet to Bolton Notch, from the east. Also about 500 feet up the South end of Manchester. With the exception of a short stretch leaving Columbia, the trail is very rideable, in fine shape. Highly recommended!

Pequonnock River Trail

Bring your phone with GPS

May, 2024 by sboaters_tl

My wife and I did this trail on touring bikes, starting at Glenwood Park in Bridgeport, and proceeded northward. Easy to follow until Twin Brooks Park where the trail joins the park trails but there is no signage from here northward. Nice surface but we had to stop NUMEROUS times to look at our GPS to determine our location and which trail/path to take. Then finding the Tait Road starting point for the next section was a challenge. Either print out the Trail Description and have a map, and/or have your phone handy as there are very few, if any, signs showing where the trail goes. A nice series of trails once you find them but don't expect ANY directional advice.

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