This New London-Greenwich Rail Trail runs for 7.3 miles between the namesake cities of New London and Greenwich, Ohio. It is a rail-with-trail and follows alongside an active rail line.
About the Route
The trail heads northeast from Greenwich, where the trail's southern endpoint is marked with signage and a gravel parking lot. The trail entirely follows the active rail line except for a short section of the trail that uses Townline Road 187 to connect the trail as it crosses State Route 250.
The New London-Greenwich Rail Trail runs between 68 Townsend St. (Greenwich) and 107 W Main St. (New London), with parking available at either end.
Please see TrailLink Map for detailed directions.
As noted, this trail is in the second phase of three, so expect it to be under construction. The third phase will be making the trail under the overpass to eliminate going on the road for that short time.
I started at the trailhead in Greenwich. The parking lot and about .2 mile is gravel, but then it turns to crush stone (crushed limestone or cinder???). That was very flat and smooth. It lasted about a mile until the trail crossed Alpha Rd. The surface was then gravel and dirt, the worse part was closer to the overpass. After a short zig-zag on roads to get across Rt 250 and Vermilion River, the trail continued. The total length of the gravel and dirt section was about 4 miles. The final 2 miles going into New London was crushed stone again. The trail head in New London was paved with cement. No restrooms were at either trail head. It took me about 40 minutes in each direction. It is true that some places were rougher than others, but I was still rolling at 12-13.5 mph. On the limestone sections, I was cruising at 13.5-15.5 mph. The trail is lined with trees and fairly straight, since it was a railroad track in the past. It also crosses a few roads.
The trail does run alongside, but doesn't cross, an active railroad track.
A few benches are located on the crushed stone sections.
Eateries and shops are within maybe a half a mile from the New London trail head, and within a mile or so from the Greenwich trail head.
The trail has improved since I was last rode it in September of 2023, when it was all gravel, and much rougher. For those who like smooth asphalt, parts will be rough. For those who like single track on dirt over roots and rocks, probably won't think that it is bad. Wider tires are recommended. Mine were 35.
Enjoy the ride and remember that it is a work in progress.
This trail is still in phase two of a three phase project which won’t finish until 2026. The New London and Greenwich ends are finished and nice crushed cinder but the middle between Greenwich is very rough. Fencing has been put up in some areas, a bench or two but it has shade and some nice farm, wooded views. There are restaurants and small shops at both ends of the trail. It will be great once complete!
A mix of cinder(about 2 miles in New London) and large stone and rough terrain the rest of the trail made for a rough, uncomfortable and tricky ride. The nice mix of sun and shade along the entire trail was a positive. Not recommended.
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