Find the top rated birding trails in Torrington, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I am really torn on this trail, on one hand it is an amazing experience and a view of the Hudson you will never forget, on the other hand if it is a weekend this place is jam packed with other people taking in the views as well. This was part of a ride on the Hudson Valley Rail trail all the way to New Paltz, I will review that trail separately. Breaking up the ride by going one way early and coming back about 4 hours later made a huge difference in the crowd level and made a much more pleasant ride. Facilities at the walkway were clean and outstanding, lots of historic information, and there were vendors. There are plenty of places to park, I paid $7 (Summer 2021) to park in the official lot and considering the facility and the zero cost to cross the Hudson in either direction I did not feel it was too much for parking. My only complaint aside from the crowds, was that the vendors packed up and closed long before the bridge closed so that was a little disappointing because I did want to get a shirt, plan accordingly if you are doing this as part of a longer ride. I will likely do this ride again but it will likely be part of a longer ride when I do.
Rode this on a Summer day Parked by Quassy Amusement park and rode to Maggy My Fly's (a parking lot close to Maggy's, they do not allow parking). It was a mostly downhill ride on paved trail. Along the way there is plenty of green space and lots or roadway, there are a few short totally wooded sections but plan on looking at road for the bulk of your ride. Plenty of places to get food and drink along the way, and even a couple of public parks. This one was likely a one and done for me.
What a cool, beautiful, pleasant surprise. So glad I decided to check this trail out. Nice parking lot adjacent to the mill apartments on southern end. Road the entire thing including the T portion across the river to Enfield and to the west into Suffield. I will go again and bring some friends. So picturesque.
This is probably great for commuters of to get across the river but that’s about it. Poorly marked and poorly maintained. Lots of glass on the path portion. No historical markers or any other information that I noticed.
Although this trail is not that long, it make a nice addition to riding the Vernon trail. It's a nice quiet ride and a must to experience.
This rail trail is among the best we’ve pedaled. We traveled to the area (with our RV and Ebikes) specifically to tide this trail. We were thrilled. It’s beautifully maintained. The multiple road crossings are carefully managed. The views are super nice. We ride in Oct ‘21 so the foliage was full and bright. Downtown N Adams is very pretty from the trail. Some on-trail interpretive signs for some of the historic train related structures and remnants would be welcome.
We’ve ridden many rail trails in New England, and this is one of the best! Flat, wide, smooth and almost no one around. I If riding from South to North into Adams; the last 3 miles are downhill. My wife actually coasted for the entire 3 miles without pedaling or need to brake!! She was laughing the entire way. The downhill is so gradual, you can’t even see it’s downhill.
Beautiful and well maintained…feels like it was built last night! Maybe could use a few benches but the real issue is the dangerous berms at the intersections mentioned by a previous reviewer. Truly horrible design! We saw a rider hit one hard. Fortunately he didn’t fall. They should be removed but in the meantime the curbs should be painted and potted plants placed on them to increase visibility. You will enjoy this trail just be safe.
I did this trail end-to-end yesterday as an out-and back from the southern end (no official parking at the trailhead but two supermarkets nearby could be utilized).
Overall in good to very good shape.
The non paved sections are OK for all type bikes except perhaps not for road bikes if the trail is wet.
The on-road sections are generally well marked by Empire State Trail (of which this trail is a part) signage.
Informative signage along the way.
It's not exactly a flat ride. My cycling app had it at over 1800 feet of elevation gain for the out-and-back.
Tip: About 6 miles from the southern end is the Hudson River Skywalk over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge with great views of the Hudson River and the Catskills.
If you park in Bolton State Park to start on the east end of the Charter Oak Greenway you won’t find any markings for the entrance. It actually starts right at the RT44 West highway entrance to the park. So you need to go down into the lot to park and then go back up the entrance ramp to find the beginning of the Charter Oak Greenway, which is not even marked as such though.
Also fair warning to older riders I only went the first five miles west but that portion at least has very little flat areas, almost all of it is uphill or downhill. Heading west, mostly downhill, but heading back east mostly uphill, including one extended relatively steep climb. No problem for younger riders or riders in great biking shape, but pretty difficult for a casual rider.
On the plus side that portion of the trail at least is very well paved with virtually no divots or surface cracks.
We biked the newly completed Under Mountain Road to Millerton. We have biked the other completed sections in the past and this newly completed section does not disappoint . Very scenic and easy ride with our hybrid bikes.
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