Explore the best rated trails in Bristol, 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 53 trails covering 480 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.
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.
Yes it's along powerlines, but the ride is nice and easy, there are a few places to stop and enjoy a break. Most road crossings have crossing lights.
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.
Only two things keeping this from being a 5 star are the numerous road crossings and the fact that the trail is under power lines. Best in the area.
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.
I rode the entirety of the Steinhaus Trail starting at Hopewell Junction and riding over the Walkway over the Hudson. On a very windy early April Sunday the trail was lightly used and everyone was very polite and practiced great trail etiquette including very attentive drivers at road intersections.
The trail itself is fairly wide, is well marked with mile markers counting up or down from Hopewell Junction depending on which way you are going and is in immaculate shape. I don't even recall a single bump, pothole or crack on the asphalt. The scenery is a mix of light residential, some commercial, a nice lake near Hopewell Junction and a good amount of tree cover.
I appreciate how easy it was to connect to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail via the Walkway over the Hudson which added to my ride.
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.
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