Hartford County Biking Guide CT Biking Trails and Information
Connecticut is a wonderful place for a biking trip. The varied terrain and beautiful scenery provide the perfect setting. Whether a leisurely ride by a lake or something more adventurous is your style it can be found in Connecticut. If you know of a great Hartford CT area biking route please contact us.
Hartford County CT Bike Trails Bicycling Routes
Charter Oak Greenway East Hartford (Forbes Street) to Bolton
9.8 Miles
The Charter Oak Greenway is a paved, multi-use trail connecting parks and the Captain John Bissell Greenway in East Hartford with residential and commercial areas. The trail runs for 9.8 miles from Forbes Street in East Hartford to Bolton, including a 1/2-mile section using local roads. The trail provides seasonal access to restrooms, picnic areas, athletic facilities, tennis court, and playground equipment at Charter Oak Park. Bike lockers are available at the intersection of Route 83 and Charter Oak Street, as well as at the Spencer Street commuter lot. Trail users should note that some hills are quite steep.
Farmington River Trail Tunxis Meade Park in Farmington to Collinsville
8.5 miles
A work in progress, the Farmington River Trail offers an 8.5-mile excursion along the eponymous scenic river. Along its wilder stretches, you'll spot canoeists, kayakers, and fly-fishermen. The southern trailhead at Tunxis Meade Park in Farmington also serves as a trailhead for the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. Be sure to follow signs to the river trail. The trail follows the bed of the former New Haven & Northampton Railroad, originally named the Farmington Canal Railroad after the water route it supplanted, which ran from New Haven north into Massachusetts.
Hop River State Park Trail Church Street near Bolton to Parker Bridge Road near Columbia
15.6 miles
Hop River State Park Trail is one of Connecticut's top rail-trails. Narrow cuts and a lush tree canopy make for enjoyable visits all year. Most of the 15.6-mile route from the Manchester/Vernon town line to Hop River Road follows a crushed stone surface. Work is underway to extend the trail east along State Route 6.
Stratton Brook State Park Trail Stratton Brook State Park to Simsbury
2 miles
This 2-mile trail presents a great way to work up an appetite for a picnic at Stratton Brook State Park, the first state park in Connecticut to be entirely wheelchair-accessible. The park also offers picnic areas, as well as fishing and swimming on its lake, created by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, when it dammed the brook. A covered bridge accesses the trail midpoint. From the covered bridge, the shaded rail-trail shoots northeast and southwest along the right-of-way of the former Connecticut Western Railroad. Head northeast to take in a mile of dense evergreen forest fragrant with pine and hemlock. Ferns carpet the forest floor, and the tree canopy creates a tunnel effect-especially beautiful in winter. After bridging Stratton Brook and rounding a gentle bend, the trail exits the park, ending at the Bushy Hill Road/State Route 309 intersection.
Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail (WIndsor Locks Canal Towpath): Suffield (Canal Rd parking lot) to Windsor Locks (Rt 140 Mill Complex)
4.5 miles
To start at the Canal Road parking lot, take exit 47W off of I-91 and follow Route 190 West for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Route 159 South and take the first left onto Canal Road and follow to the parking lot. To start at the Route 140 Mill Complex parking lot take exit 45 off of I-91 and go west on Route 140. Just after you cross over the Connecticut River there will be a Mill Complex on your right. Take the narrow road down along the canal to a parking lot.
