Explore the best rated trails in West Hartford, CT, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Windsor River Trail and Niantic Bay Boardwalk . With more than 55 trails covering 443 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.
This is a great trail. Great scenery and well paved. The northern part is partially under repair and new pavement so you have may to go to a starting point a little further south
Over run with cyclists. Many very inconsiderate. They don’t ring their bell until right behind you. Should be a biking speed limit. Many older people can’t move out of the way when there are pairs of cyclists that stay side by side. Extremely inconsiderate. Not all but too many are.
Several sections of the trail are currently closed between Copake and Millerton. Although I wouldn't recommend them to everyone, I considered them very rideable or walkable. I'd probably start a few stops down next time, but only to avoid rerouting if they were actually doing maintenance and wouldn't let me pass though. When I wasn't considering alternative routes I was overtaken by the scenery between Copake and Milerton. The wildlife and landscapes were seldom disappointing, but the countless bugs were distracting. Milerton to Wassaic was underwhelming if you've drove along 22 before. Strangely, it was in worse condition than the closed sections. Scattered frost heaves sent cyclist darting around the trail or shot out of their saddle and skateboards trying to break their fall. Knowing this made it easier on the way back, but also way slower.
Cannot say this enough. I rode into more bugs in 4h on this trail than I have in over 4000 miles anywhere else.
TLDR:
This trail is currently "closed" for several miles. The trail is full of stunning scenery, bumps, and bugs. Well worth visiting, but keep expectations in check. Would give 3.75 if it was an option.
Great trail through White Memorial Wildlife Preserve. Bantam section not complete yet, but still worth an out-and-back ride. Lunch in Litchfield, ice cream in Bantam.
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 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.
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.
I rode the southern half of this trail from Millerton to Wasaic the first week in October on a 75° afternoon. Beautiful ride on a beautiful day.
Nice quiet ride to take time to enjoy these beautiful days.
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