Explore the best rated trails in Thompson, CT, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Fresh Pond Bikeway and Minuteman Commuter Bikeway . With more than 87 trails covering 646 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.
There’s tons of long stretches of trail that doesn’t require you to wait for pedestrians signals. And not many major intersections stops. Trail is mostly flat with a few rolling inclines and declines.
The trail has some muddy patches. Most of them are manageable, except there is one spot immediately west of the Route 62 crossing where you will sink in up to your ankle and there's really no way to get around it.
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 went on this trail today it was a beautiful walk but very muddy
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.
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.
This bike path between Bristol and India Park in Providence was just what I had hoped for: picturesque views, charming towns and homes, beautiful foliage, and friendly people of all ages!
In addition, there were a few surprises. I discovered that this path is a definite paradise for bird lovers. It even passes right by an Audubon Nature Center accessible by the path! There were also many interesting historical aspects such as the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, remnants of the old railroad, and the Squantum Association mansion. The best surprise and highlight for me was the Spooky Bottom Scenic Dock. Don't skip or miss this! I barely noticed the small sign for it. It's not spooky, and it's not a dock. It's a pier that will take you out into the bay for awesome views of the causeway, bay, and the Providence skyline including the state capital's green dome!
This path is obviously extremely popular with the community: walkers, joggers, bikers, dog walkers, and many parents pushing strollers. Also, I have never seen so many students on their way to school utilizing a path like this on their bikes. I must have seen at least thirty. That's a testament to the safety of the surrounding neighborhood and community!
I drove all the way from California to experience this trail, and I'm so glad I did. I've ridden my bike in forty-nine of our fifty states, and I definitely put this Hall of Fame trail in my top five favorites! A+, state of Rhode Island!
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.
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