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The Pequonnock River Trail is the formal name for this developing trail in southwestern Connecticut, which is not displayed along the trail signage. Formalized in 2001 by the state, the regional trail pieced together existing paths that had developed separately on the former Housatonic Railroad line—one of New England’s first—from urban Bridgeport to rural Monroe, with additional segments opening since then.
About the Route
A handful of disconnected trail segments make up this route, leaving off in the north at Avenue (US 1), and extending south to the Bridgeport Transportation Center in downtown Bridgeport, immediately paralleling Housatonic Avenue for its entire route.
At its northern endpoint on Swamp Road in Newton, Pequonnock River Trail users will immediately start along two parallel, informal, and narrow footpaths that lead south alongside an old railroad. At the trail’s northern endpoint in the woods on the Newtown town line, overgrown but still-in-place railroad tracks serve as a reminder of a rich railroading history. The trail joins Pepper Street for 0.25 miles, after which trail users will veer through a residential cul-de-sac. The rail trail crosses area roads several times and includes a short on-road detour at the stone-arch bridge near this trail segment’s midpoint. This section of the Pequonnock River Trail runs on the former Housatonic Railroad corridor; watch for traces of the rail line throughout the journey. The most notable remnant is a stone-arch bridge included on Connecticut’s State Register of Historic Places.
The northernmost segment of the Pequonnock River Trail is also the oldest segment. Largely forested and thus spectacular during autumn, this segment of the trail runs more than 4 miles through the popular William E. Wolfe Park. and to the Newtown border. Visiting trail users gravitate to the park, which centers on Great Hollow Lake’s attractive sand beach and swimming area and offers restrooms and picnic tables. Non-motorized boating is permitted on the 16-acre lake, and a paved pedestrian-only walking path circles its shoreline. Following Maple Dr., trail users are soon to meet the next segment of the Pequonnock River Trail.
After the low-stress crossing of Victoria Drive, the path declines, bypassing marshland before rejoining the former rail corridor. Continuing southeast, the trail passes through Old Mine Park, paralleling the park entry road. Use caution when crossing the busy Monroe Turnpike (CT 111), where cars often ignore the flashing trail-crossing beacon.
While the southern three stretches of the Pequonnock River Trail are entirely asphalt-surfaced, the trail transitions from the smooth stone dust along its passage through the stunningly scenic Pequonnock River Valley, to an entirely asphalt-surfaced Trumbull section. The surface is generally compact enough for wheelchair use here. However, because CT 25 crosses the original railroad right-of-way, there is a short hill to climb in Parlor Rock Park (a late 19th-century amusement area) to access the wooden bridge under the highway.
The next section of the trail follows its namesake river for more than 3 miles, offering a shady respite from suburban Trumbull. Rapids and distinctive rock outcrops add interest. The Pequonnock River Trail then runs on Tait Road in Trumbull, where trail users coming from Twin Brooks Park can find an access point via a short jaunt on Manor Drive, Gregory Place, Laurel Street, Daniels Farm Road, and Church Hill Road/CT 127. (Note that traffic can be heavy on the latter two roads.)
The following shortest stretch of the Pequonnock River Trail connects neighborhoods west of CT 25 with Twin Brooks Park in Trumbull. The scenic park features ponds, fields of wildflowers, and hiking trails on more than 80 acres.
The trail passes commercial buildings, running immediately adjacent to Quarry Road before it passes under CT 8 and Old Town Road, to cross the Pequonnock River just North of Beardsley Park.
Nearing the southern endpoint of the trail is the Beardsley Zoo, the only zoo in Connecticut, and Beardsley Park. Frederick Law Olmsted designed the park, which offers numerous playing fields among its rolling acres. The trail extends south, adjacent to the zoo before it meets a short but difficult-to-traverse gap that separates the Berkshire Spur stretch of the Pequonnock River Trail from the newer northern section. This southern endpoint is a popular starting point for recreational trail users, and it meets at the residential corner of Crown Street and Glenwood Avenue.
Trail History
While trail users won't see its name, Pequonnock River Trail, they will see names such as Housatonic Railway Rails to Trails or Monroe Housatonic Railbed Trail. These names reflect the railroad's heritage.
Frederick Law Olmsted designed the park, which offers numerous playing fields among its rolling acres. The paved side path was built in 2001 on the site of the piers of the Housatonic Railroad’s former Berkshire Spur, an elevated line that once served a handful of industrial customers to the north. Due to its lack of scenery and short length, the final portion of the trail is often omitted from Pequonnock River Trail itineraries, though it is well used and appreciated by Bridgeport residents reaching bus and train lines by foot.
The Pequonnock River Trail runs between Water St. (Bridgeport) and Swamp Rd. (Newtown).
Park is available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Use gps route its not well marked like others have said but part of the fun was planning the route and then finding your way as you go.
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.
Make sure to understand the trail entry points!
The bridge is repaired and the trail is open.
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