Bike paths are plentiful in Connecticut. And why shouldn’t they be? With this amount of picturesque forests, quaint villages and abandoned railroad tracks, this state is ripe for exploration on a two-wheeled machine.
There are cycle paths paved or lined with crushed stone or carved into the earth, passing through towns, sculpture gardens, state parks and more.
Read on for seven bike trails to add a little adventure to your summer in Connecticut.
Pomfret buckle
This 21 km trail takes cyclists through the scenic drives of Pomfret and Mashomouquet Brook State Park. This is a relaxing trail in the “quiet corner” of eastern Connecticut. There are many scenic stops along this loop, including one at Woodstock’s Cottage Roseland and its colorful rows of summer flowers.
For more information visit
ctvisit.com/getaways/biking-quiet-corner
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
This trail stretches 48 miles from the downtown Yale campus in New Haven, north of the Massachusetts-Connecticut border. The path is paved, which allows for a relatively smooth ride. It is also the longest paved bike path in the state, according to railstotrails.com.
For more information visit
fchtrail.org
Oak Green Way Charter
This paved path stretches 25 km from Hartford State House to the eastern suburbs of the city. The trail passes through the Riverfront Recapture Sculpture Park and shares part of its route with the Hop River State Park Trail.
For more information visit
traillink.com/trail/charter-oak-greenway
Farmington River Trail
The Farmington River Trail (not to be confused with the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail) is located just west of Hartford. The 16 mile trail itself is C-shaped and connects to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, adding a 10 mile ride if desired. Most of the trail is paved although part of it gets lost on a dirt road from time to time.
For more information visit
traillink.com/trail/farmington-river-trail
Middlebury Green Lane
Looking to ride a bike in an amusement park? The Middlebury Greenway is a 4.5 mile trail that runs through Middelbury, CT, featuring parks, shopping areas, and Quassy Amusement Park. The park is 100 years old and has a roller coaster ride for everyone, if you’re looking to get off your bike and get on board, of course.
For more information visit
traillink.com/trail/middlebury-greenway
Hop River State Park Trail
This trail is 20 miles of gravel road through one of the state’s finest parks. There are picturesque covered bridges, rippling rivers, and plenty of shade trees along the route. This is a great all-season trail, offering scenic views of foliage in the fall, rugged greenery in the summer, and an icy wonderland in the winter.
For more information visit
traillink.com/trail/hop-river-state-park-trail
BMX TRACK
For a different biking experience, try some X-Games moves on this BMX track. This trail has a myriad of dirt hills to go through and practice all the sick moves on your bike. There are also USA licensed BMX trainers available for scheduled workouts.
For more information visit
usabmx.com/tracks/1833
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