Connecticut
Welcome to Connecticut
The 204 miles of the East Coast Greenway in Connecticut showcase the state’s diversity, from coast to inland and city to country. In the eastern part of the state — the most rural and hilly stretch between Boston and Washington, D.C. — the route follows a series of state park trails connecting historic mill towns like Willimantic and winding through forests and farmland. In central Connecticut, 47 miles along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail are under construction and nearing completion by 2030, making this one of the Greenway’s most popular segments. The route has been re-routed to use the Hartford Connector through Tariffville and Bloomfield. To the southwest, the interim on-road route hugs Long Island Sound through the Gold Coast suburbs to the New York line, with off-road and bike-lane upgrades planned in Stamford, Greenwich and Norwalk.
Explore the Greenway & Future Trails
Choose a tab below to explore the Greenway route today and the progress moving it forward.
Route Notice
Traveling by train? Here are some 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.
Designated Trails
Mileage counts reflect the portion of each trail that is part of East Coast Greenway.
- Moosup Valley Trail, Moosup/Plainfield/Sterling; 6.5 mi
- Quinebaug River Trail, Putnam/Killingly; 4.8 mi
- Tracy Road Smart Parks Trail, Putnam; 2.3 mi
- Air Line State Park Trail, Windham County; 21 mi
- Veterans Memorial Greenway, Willimantic; 1.8 mi
- Willimantic River Trail; 3 mi
- Hop River Trail, Tolland County; 20.8 mi
- Charter Oak Greenway, Manchester-East Hartford; 10.2 mi
- 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 Heritage Trail, Simsbury-Avon-Farmington-Plainville-Southington-Cheshire-Hamden-New Haven; 40.4 mi
- Hartford Connector – Tariffville/Bloomfield; 2.6 mi
- Savin Rock Trail, West Haven; 1.7 mi
- Beach Street Cycletrack, West Haven; 0.7 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
Where We’re Focusing
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Greater Hartford
The Capital Region Council of Governments has completed a $630,000 study to close the gaps in the trails surrounding Connecticut’s capital city. This study is undertaken to identify a route alignment to close the gaps in the East Coast Greenway between Simsbury, Bloomfield, Hartford and East Hartford. The study was conducted in collaboration with the study’s Advisory Committee and stakeholder coordination including the Connecticut Department of Transportation, East Coast Greenway Alliance and many others. The study area for this project encompasses a 12-mile gap in the East Coast Greenway between the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Simsbury to the Charter Oak Greenway in East Hartford.Learn More -
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
Cambridge Econometrics has recently published an Economic Development Study for the entirety of the FCHT. “Using CE’s REACT input-output model, this study assesses the estimated economic impact of the existing trail and a completed/continuous trail on the Massachusetts and Connecticut economy. More specifically, three scenarios are assessed, representing existing trail segments; a conservative low scenario; and a high scenario ten to fifteen years after completion. In total, existing trail users spend an estimated $15.1 million each year while users of a completed trail are estimated to spend $32.0 to $53.8 million annually.”Learn More
Progress Update
Connecticut’s 204-mile East Coast Greenway spans 29 towns and four major cities and is currently 54.4% complete. The entire route is signed and continuously updated by a dedicated sign committee. Through 2030, 23 funded projects totaling 37.1 miles and more than $160 million in investment will move the state to 75% completion. Our focus is on advancing the Greenway spine as a priority within CTDOT’s bike and pedestrian program, delivering value to partners and communities and building a strong pipeline of new, funded projects. We manage ongoing stakeholder engagement, maintain and upgrade Greenway signage, and raise the Greenway’s profile through meetings, outreach, media and signature events like Ride the State. At the same time, we continue to refine key corridors, including the Merritt Parkway and Route 1, and pursue a proposed new connection from the Empire State Trail in Brewster, New York, through Danbury and western Connecticut to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.
Suggested Itineraries
Follow a connected network of mostly rail trails as the route weaves through historic mill towns, welcoming communities and four major cities.
Trail Experience
Sign up to stay updated
- Air Line State Park Trail Alliance
- Bike Walk Bolton
- Bike Walk Connecticut
- Bike/Walk Norwalk
- Capitol Region Council of Governments
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection – Trails
- Connecticut Department of Transportation – Alternative Transportation
- Connecticut Explorer’s Guide
- Connecticut Forest & Park Association
- Connecticut Greenways Council
- Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Alliance
- Connecticut Trail Census
- Connecticut Trail Finder
- Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association
- Farmington Valley Trails Council
- Hop River Trail Alliance
- New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation
- People Friendly Stamford
- Shoreline Greenway Trail
- Transport Hartford Academy
- Western Connecticut Council of Governments
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 Southern New England Manager. Many thanks to our Connecticut Ambassadors, who include:
- Barbara Amodio, Bolton
- Rob Dexter, West Hartford
- Beverly Duncan, Vernon
- Steven Mitchell, Avon