This is an incredibly under used resource. Mountain Bike Buyers Guide … It is a lovely trail, very level, good surface and shaded all the way. Lookout via White and Shenipsit Trail Loop, Porter Reservoir Dam and White Blaze Loop, Risley Pond Yellow, White, and Blue Blazes Trail, Talcott Ravine, Northern Connecticut Land Trust, http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=445284&deepNav_GID=1650#BoltonNotch, http://www.ctvisit.com/listings/bolton-notch-state-park#sthash.mkdnjxlL.dpuf, Manchester Land Conservation Trust Property, Porter/Howard Reservoir Passive Recreation Area. Just last year I tried riding this part of the track and was hindered by trap rock. Local equestrians seem to use the trail frequently and there is a good deal of droppings to watch for. The Trail from the Columbia town line to Kings Road (the current end of the developed trial) will be under design late this year. ", "The best way to do this with the kids is to start at church street and go 5 miles to Bolton Notch. It was a cool, grey drizzly day, but a small crowd was on hand for the event, including a few hardy bicyclists who immediately rode across upon completion of the installation. Manchester: From I-84, take Exit 63 for CT 30/Windsor. Dining at Home with Connecticut Chefs. CT Dept. The approximately 4-5 miles of trail that pass through Vernon are a smooth stone-dust surface accessible to any style of bike. Except for maybe a half mile of stones and gravel in Bolton Notch where a mountain bike would be better, the rest was nice hard pack dirt and pulverized stone. There is no bridge crossing Rte 316 and there is a steep down hill portage to reach the other side of the trail, which by the way is more like a single track then a trail. The section about 3 miles in is cut out of the side of an incline, and there are a few spots with a bit rougher surface…easily negotiated with trail or mountain bikes, and I think you could do it even with a road bike (excluding the skinniest tires) if you took your time. Total distance between the two locations approximately 12 miles. The section on the Windham side of the Willimantic River is under construction. › Hop River State Park Trail [CLOSED] › Photos Photos of Hop River State Park Trail [CLOSED] Hop River State Park Trail [CLOSED] 157 Reviews. The two reasons we didn't rate it a 5 is the standing water on a couple sections near Andover, CT (there's been no rain in days) and secondly, for a 3-wheeled recumbent trike -- the un-passable automobile barriers at the road crossings (had to carry our trike over the stones adjacent to the barrier). (860) 424-3200 In addtion, the new gravel surface and drainage work from Trout Brook in Bolton Notch toward Andover made the riding very enjoyable! We hiked up to the rock for the view. If you want a 30 mile ride on a stone dust surface that you could do on a road bike, go from Manchester and loop up and back on the Rockville spur and turn around at Burnap Brook. This work will allow traffic over the Willimantic River from the current end at Mackey's Ag. The kids had a great time, it was perfect for them, as it is a wide, flat trail, with almost 100% tree coverage/shade. That section is nonetheless easily traversed on hybrids. Beautiful ride. An added benefit of both the forest canopy and those cuts is the cooling effect they provide on a hot, humid day. It is especially good if you're a runner prone to or recovering from injury; it's a softer surface than roads, and much more even. The first third of the trail is well marked but the rest is hit or miss. This was a fun trail. As we enjoy this great trail, we must be aware and remember that this trail is railbanked with the state. Enter the park at the end of the guard rail heading west. Much natural beauty, very few road crossings, narrow trail entry gates and few sandy spots. This portion of the Hop River Trail that runs from Bolton to Willimantic is part of the state's 177-mile section of the East Coast Greenway. All of these aspects show on the Traillink map as a faint line if you maximize it. Between Manchester and Andover, this is one of the best trails I've been on. This is a beautiful trail, long and uninterrupted, through shady forest. The tree canopy, along with the elevated path make this a very special run. ", "I've ridden this trail many times from Rockville to Valley Falls and to Bolton. If you have time, the scenic 4.2-mile pathway is definitely worth exploring.From that trail intersection continuing east on the Hop River State Park Trail, you’ll climb gradually for a few miles past rock outcrops. All sections are currently passable. Thanks to those who keep making these trails better. Mostly well packed dirt/gravel/stone dust. This is a welcome sight, making for safer passage through the tunnel. It was truly a joy - so pretty - and a very smooth ride. The surface from Manchester to Andover was perfect. The Towns of Vernon and Bolton have also endeavored to make improvements and some bridges have been added in the past year. ", "Not noted in any literature is that the trail ends at Andover at Rte 316 in a large mess of construction debries. ", Here's an updated link to the Courant article on the new covered bridge coming to the Andover section of the Hop River trail:http://www.ctnow.com/entertainment/attractions/hc-path0606.story, "Sunday, June 16, 2002 was a great day to ride on the Hop River Trail. River Valley/Greater Hartford > Explore CT Trails: Beer Trail > Chocolate Trail > Chowda Trail > Pizza Trail > Signature Cocktail Trail > Wine Trail > Takeout and Delivery Restaurants in Connecticut. old and are all active kids who regularly walk and run around outside. 66. The trail is tightly packed gravel and was in very good condition. We've gone past the Colonial Drive lot, continued along the tracks to Farr's sporting goods. Paving would solve the problem. Intersecting roads along the length of trail that we rode are all lower functional class, seemingly low-volume (at least on a holiday), roads. Developed partially along the corridor of the former 1840s Hartford, Providence and Fishkill rail line, this west-east route travels between the Vernon–Manchester town line and the western edge of Willimantic. Walk your bike down to Rt. Dogs are also able to use this trail … I theorize, though, that users of this trail are just so darned thrilled to have this wonderful resource available to them that it simply brings out the best in them. I can only hope that by next year, we will have the first covered bridge on a trial in CT! from Colonial Rd. Coming from the west the actual trail ends at King Street a mile or so west where you have to bike King road and Flanders Road to Rt 66 and cross the bridge over the Willimatic River and then circle left under the bridge where is a 1/4 mile or so of paved trail along the river to the new Airline Trail bridge. It is just like the rest of the trail all the way up to Church Street in Vernon! ", "State and local officials have secured a $283,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant from the State Bond Commission. The work will include clearing, resurfacing and upgrades to the two bridges over the Hop and Willimantic Rivers. If you have puddle jumpers bring rain boots! It's well worth the drive! deep.stateparks@ct.gov - See more at: http://www.ctvisit.com/listings/bolton-notch-state-park#sthash.mkdnjxlL.dpuf. A real gem- those local to this are lucky! Thanks to those who've worked hard to make it all possible. The last 1/2 mile of final surfacing from the Route 6 bridges to King Road is done, and a nice job too! The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Since my previous posting, I have finished exploring the trail and highly recommend it as a place to ride. Very shady. I mention this because many otherwise terrific trails we've ridden around New England do have numerous at-grade intersections with heavily-traveled arterial roadways which, of course, compel cyclists and pedestrians to stop and wait for breaks in traffic. On Saturday March 31, the long-awaited covered trail bridge over Rte. So late this summer, with a MT bike, you will be able to cross the river from Windham and follow the unimproved rail bed to Flanders Road, turn right to Kings Road and get back on the improved trail, That's less than a mile of off trail and local road. My biggest complaint about the Hop River Trail is that every road crossing has very narrow gates on each side that only have one opening. The kids barely have to pedal to get back.The trail is very scenic and diverse. ", "We rode the trail today and discovered that the DOT is doing some work just prior to the junction of Routes 6 & 316, just north of the 7-Eleven. old was carried by Mama in a sling. On July 1st I walked over the new Willimantic River Bridge from the current end at Mackie's Ag. There were large rocks on the trail in the Andover area and a missing bridge, where we had to get off the trail and cross a street a little ways before crossing under Route 6.All and all it was a great ride. "Today we parked at the Sacred Heart Church (N41.49.928 W72.28.453) and rode for about 3.75 miles. The trail continues to get narrower until it becomes a single track. From our start point we crossed RT 6 in front of the church to pick up the trail and then rode to the right heading west. At the western terminus where the trail meets Colonial Road ; Vernon. There are very long stretches on this trail where you don't cross any roads, and except for maybe one exception, most of the crossings have little traffic and are side roads. It takes about 2 hours to get to the Church Street parking lot in Vernon from NYC. A Hop, Skip, and… a Bike Pump 20 Miles, Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Manchester and Vernon. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Vernon Rockville! Join me, won’t you, on our 4-part journey east on the Hop River State Park Trail. This will finish the connection to the Airline trail. Definitely, it is worth the trip. A unique site on the trail is the ""tunnel"" under Route 384 in Bolton Notch, which is actually a long railroad cut covered by a concrete arch. The trail was a little rough in spots. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. Depending on the time of year there are natural waterfalls and wildlife galore. I was riding my road bike the entire time and had no problem. Along the say we stopped and did some geocaching and then headed back.The trail was busy but not terribly so, and the condition was good except for a few areas with soft gravel.Be careful near the edges because in parts the drop offs are very steep.". Nice for dog walking. We love this trail for its diversity... the raised causeways, tunnel, rocky ledges, tree canopy and scenic moments. The Hop River State Park Trail is a trail that follows an old railroad bed for just over 20 miles, winding around from Manchester to Windham. of Energy and Environmental Protection. Upper Hop River State Park Trail is a 13.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Bolton, Connecticut that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. If you're looking for a nearby place to stay I highly recommended the Daniel Rust House in Coventry which was only 12 minutes from the church by car. With the Hop River Rail Trail bridge over the Willimantic River nearing completion, the state Department of Transportation is setting its eyes on the lone gap remaining - … Bolton Notch State Park to Parker Bridge Road, 8.5 Miles Bolton, Coventry, & Andover, May 2020. The path is scenic with rivers, bridges, hay fields, and wildlife. Although not paved, I thought this was a great trail with a relatively smooth ride the entire way. You come to a road that that's it. And Henry was spot on about people's friendliness--although not all, many people, me included, are smiling just from the sheer joy of being able to use this trail. Old trail faint been obtained to complete the trail this time an asphalt path, Road. Themselves by doing donuts on the trail surface has been stonedusted with a mountain bike would have been working in... Were great highlights and there is a welcome addition to the Airline trail that will tranfer to! 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To Bolton encouraging and i had a wonderful time over unless you to!
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