Mattabassett Trolley Trail

Connecticut

4 Reviews

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 slope of the Mattabassett Trolley Trail invites walkers, joggers, cyclists, - users old and young alike, to get out into nature and out to the river.

The trail starts on Westlake Drive just north of Russet Lane. There’s yellow center-striping to divide it into two lanes. The trail heads north, deeper into the wood, and then heads east offering glimpses of the water here and there. At East Street/ SR 217 the trail continues underneath the roadway, then proceeds east. There’s a spur, one of the access points on Moss Glen. It’s a fun, windy, crooked path down to the cul-de-sac and then down the side of Moss Glen to Tuttle Road.

Rather than exit at Moss Glen you can also continue east and exit the trail at the industrial park on Tuttle Place. From here you can loop back to Moss Glen via the trail on the side of Tuttle Road.

Back on Westlake Road, if you cross the street at Russet Lane, you will find the Westlake Area Bikeway, which runs south to Smith Street.

The trail is open from dawn to dusk.

Parking and Trail Access

There is no designated parking for the trail.

Great morning walk

November 2021 benneea

I walk this trail just about every morning. Plenty of parking off the Tuttle Place office park. Several options to increase the length or difficulty. Pretty well maintained but some of the fencing is starting to need attention.

No parking

March 2021 qygsw6rpty

The trail is nice but swampy in areas. There is no parking.

Smooth, easy family trail

January 2021 michael.parker.md

This was our first family trail with kids that were new to bicycling. Everyone enjoyed the consistent pace of the trail. Not too crowded, but haven't tried middle of summer yet. Takes about 30 minutes to go from one end to the other and back.