Connecticut

The nearly 200 miles of the East Coast Greenway that run through Connecticut showcase the state’s diversity, from coast to inland, city to country. The eastern part of the state is the most rural area in the corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C. A series of rail trails, including the Air Line Trail and the Hop River Trail, run through this region, connecting historic mill towns such as Willimantic and passing through forests and farmlands.

In central Connecticut, the 47 miles of East Coast Greenway along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail are nearing completion and are a favorite of many Greenway users. Southwest of New Haven along Long Island Sound, the interim on-road route hugs the shore through the suburbs to the Sound Shore communities at the New York line — while we advocate for the development of the 37.5-mile Merritt Parkway Trail.

Thanks to strong local advocacy, Connecticut has made terrific progress, with many projects in development.

Learn more in our recently published “Guide to the East Coast Greenway," which covers the route in detail from New Haven to Providence.

Traveling by train? 

Quick tips when using Amtrak with your bike: Do your research in advance; each train line features different bike rack equipment and loading procedures. Check Amtrak for the latest and when in doubt: call the station if you have questions. Click for more: https://www.amtrak.com/bike

Mileage counts reflect the portion of each trail that is part of East Coast Greenway.

• Moosup Valley Trail, Plainfield; 1.5 mi

• Quinebaug River Trail, Killingly; 3.8 mi

• Tracy Road Smart Parks Trail, Killingly/Putnam; 2.3 mi

• Air Line State Park Trail, Windham County; 20.5 mi

• Veterans Memorial Greenway, Willimantic; 1.8 mi

• Willimantic River Trail, 3 mi

• Hop River Trail, Tolland County; 12 mi - Detailed local map

• Charter Oak Greenway, Manchester-East Hartford; 10.2 mi - Detailed local map

• Great River Park Trail, East Hartford; 1.5 mi

• Founders Bridge Path, Hartford – East Hartford; 0.35 mi

• Phoenix Plaza, Hartford; 0.13 mi

• Travelers Plaza, Hartford; 0.2 mi

• Bushnell Park Path, Hartford; 0.5 mi

• Farmington Canal Greenway, Simsbury-Avon-Farmington-Southington-Cheshire-Hamden-New Haven; 35.6 mi - Detailed local map

• Savin Rock Trail, West Haven; 1.7 mi

• Vision Trail. 0.6 mi

• Long Wharf Nature Preserve trail, New Haven; 0.3 mi

• Silver Sands State Park path, Milford; 0.6 mi

Greenway Ambassadors are our super-volunteers, folks who love the East Coast Greenway and offer to pitch in on events, trail stewardship, social media, and more. Interested in pitching in? Write to Bruce Donald, our Tri-State Greenway Coordinator.

Many thanks to our Connecticut Ambassadors, who include:

• Barbara Amodio, Bolton
• Rob Dexter, West Hartford
• Beverly Duncan, Vernon
• Kate Gosselin, West Hartford
• Steven Mitchell, Mitchell Auto Group
• Stuart Popper, Andover