Mountain Bike Buyers Guide … Drive 0.5 mile, take a left on Phoenix Street, then an immediate right on Church. This is due to frost-thaw cycle that starts in November. The town of Bolton has begun to grade and pave with rock dust the section of the trail between the Vernon town line and the Andover town line. Ideal for point A-B trail runs. They are easy to print and show mileage. Many people called out for us to enjoy our ride. One last thing of note. The work will include clearing, resurfacing and upgrades to the two bridges over the Hop and Willimantic Rivers. I must say this is now my favorite rail trail so far and I will deff. Trailhead parking is ahead on the left. Turn right at the first traffic signal on Dobson Road and cross beneath the interstate. At the top is trail that will tranfer you to a different place. We got around this by detouring left on Kings Road and then Right on Flanders River Road. From the Colonial Road trailhead in Manchester to Kings Road in Columbia, the trail is 19.3 miles. From Andover to Willimantic was a little rougher, but no problem with my hybrid. 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. 316, there is a safer and easier way than walking down the steep embankment next to the bridge abutment. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Hop River State Park Trail spans 20 mi. down railroad bridge. By and large it is well groomed except for a couple of short sections on the north end. View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink. In some sections brush is covering the trail and there are expanding sand traps at some of the entrance gates. The last seven miles back to Manchester is almost entirely downhill. It starts off looking like a farm road with weeds growing in the center line of the trail. Then I got a bike and I … This was a fun trail. I did 13 and a half miles or 27 miles round trip. Other than the uphill grade for 5 miles it was a very pleasant ride. Towards the end in the Andover, Columbia, Willimantic area it started to become a bit bumpy. Hiking. So a little jaunt with my son along the Hop River State Park Trail in 35-degrees would be no problem. In addtion, the new gravel surface and drainage work from Trout Brook in Bolton Notch toward Andover made the riding very enjoyable! 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. Going left on Kings Road a short distance and then right on Flanders River Road will put you safely over the river and back on the trail. This is the 2nd Day Hike that completes the Hop River Trail. The first third of the trail is well marked but the rest is hit or miss. Paving would solve the problem. The west end of the Hop River Trail in Williamatic ends at the Connecticut Eastern Rail Road Museum at the bridge where the Hop River Trail joins the Airline trail and both go east to join Rt 32. Wife and I walked the dog on the trail from Bolton park to next large crossing. I love riding this trail, but the Andover section does not appear to be maintained. Surprisingly, there were not a lot of people. The map for the Airline trail shows this new connection with a dark red line for the Hop River Trail. They say it is only 20 miles but that is one way. Hop River State Park Trail is a Connecticut rail trail that winds for 20.8 miles (33.5 km) eastward from Colonial Drive in the town of Manchester to the Air Line State Park Trail S. in the town of Windham.The trail parallels the Hop River for much of its length. Great ride! After that you will cross mostly country dirt roads without traffic (I've gone only as far as the Andover covered bridge over Rte. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. My wife and I rode our hybrid bikes from the Church Street parking lot to the east end of the trail (just prior to the broken-down rail bridge) and back again on Labor Day. 316, there is a two-foot wide path on the left side of the abutment that users presumably created. Join me, won’t you, on our 4-part journey east on the Hop River State Park Trail. beautiful views and spring foliage. and Parker Bridge Rd. I brought this to the state's attention to fix the problem. Please also note that from this parking lot you can connect to the Air Line Trail…you’ll ride a path under Rt 66 and follow the paved trail along the river back towards Willimantic. of Energy and Environmental Protection. So now in June 2014 I am so pleased with the condition of the trail! The Hop River State Park Trail is a 19-mile passage through the scenic countryside of eastern Connecticut. Show more photos. Much thanks to all involved is in order. The Towns of Vernon and Bolton have also endeavored to make improvements and some bridges have been added in the past year. This former railroad line is now a trail that winds 20.2 miles through the towns of Manchester, Vernon, Bolton, Coventry, Andover, and Columbia. It's a nice spot for a snack and to dip your feet. Long slight grade in both direction. You can get around the closed bridge with a short detour. From US 6 west, enter Andover, turn left onto Lake Road then right onto Merritt Valley Road. The trail is mostly shaded and offers a nice views of woods, streams and rock formations throughout the trail. Welcome; Overview/History; Activities; Facilities; Fees; Maps; Getting Here; Related Information; In the Area; Contact the Park; Provided by: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. My wife and I have seen several deer, turkey, hawks, owls and even a giant Turkey Buzzard! It is too bad that so much work and money has gone into this trail just to have it ruined by a few individuals. A nice trail and a long ride. The second car we parked at the trailhead 175 Colonial Rd, Manchester, CT where there is a dedicated parking lot. Stay to right, go slow and look for the road and hard to see sign. Mostly flat stroller able/bike able terrain follows under towering mossy rock outcroppings and along a gentle brook. "Today we parked at the Sacred Heart Church (N41.49.928 W72.28.453) and rode for about 3.75 miles. Uploaded: 2/9/2017. This is a fabulous rail trail through wooded areas and is not heavily used. 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). Hop River State Park Trail , Connecticut Team Roche Cycling ... Mountain Biking Pequonnock River Valley State Park ... MTB Travel Review 5,512 views. The .5 miles to Flanders Road will remain unimproved but is do-able with wider tires. I was pleased to see that there was a backhoe on the western side of the trail (where there was a barracade and you had to scramble down the hill - now there's a backhoe there and netting so no one can get that far). Crushed stone trail good to ride on. It is just off I-384 just after Rt. To tunnels and rock cutouts where they blasted through ledge. http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=445284&deepNav_GID=1650#BoltonNotch had a wonderful walk. Just last year I tried riding this part of the track and was hindered by trap rock. Vernon Rails-to-Trails (Hop River State Park Rockville Spur) 24 Reviews Length: 4.2 mi old was carried by Mama in a sling. We stopped at the 7-Eleven today and then turned around and headed back to Sacred Heart Church in Vernon. The trail is heavily used but everyone we encountered was respectful of other users right-of-way. Almost everyone smiled at us. ", "Whether you are a road or hard core MTB rider this trail is a great cross trainer! Andover: Park at Burnap Brook Road about 0.2 mile west of US 6 and on Wales Road about 0.2 mile west of US 6. Shade, nature, and woods! Missing from this last section of the trail is the picnic tables and benches that were plentiful in the first day hike we did from Manchester to Andover. Turn around at Kings Road. Rode this trail on 7/25/20 from the Vernon stop to Parker Bridge Road and back. Directions. Bids, construction and all that stuff pushes the completion into 2021. A mountain bike would have been more appropriate for this section. The tunnel under Rt. ", TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy, We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors, Colonial Rd. It was a great time with beautiful waterfalls and rock outcrops all along my ride. Most of the tail is fairley wide of packed stone dust . Hop River State Park Trail . Walked up the steps, which are nicely cut into the hill side. The Mountain Laurel were in bloom just west of Bolton Notch. The second car we parked at the trailhead 175 Colonial Rd, Manchester, CT where there is a dedicated parking lot. With regard to the crossing of Rt. The section on the Windham side of the Willimantic River is under construction. Labor Day weekend I talked my brother, who lives in Coventry, into taking the trail from Bailey Rd to the end (Windham! Nice, flat, gravel. It was a slight incline on the way out which made the return better. There is now a parking area for this trail at the corner of Parker St. & Colonial Road in Manchester. Get a FREE Rail Trails Guidebook when you become a Member with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Hoping it lives up to its name and I spot some wild hops. Follow Flanders St to the 1st left and get back on the Hop River Trail. CT Rail Trail Explorer: Interactive map and planning tool for our State Park Rail Trails. Beautiful A-B Trail make it a loop for a challenge. The 10 mo. The last mile into Willimantic from Kings Road is a mess involving a bypass around the bridge over the Hop River that is tilting sideways. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Once they open the bridge it will be possible to ride from the rail road museum to Flanders Road without getting on to Rte. This work will allow traffic over the Willimantic River from the current end at Mackey's Ag. Manchester: From I-84, take Exit 63 for CT 30/Windsor. Bolton: Bolton Notch State Park; entrance is just west of where US 44 becomes Route 44/ I-384. The best section of the trail is in Vernon through Valley Falls State Park. Turn left onto Hop River Road. Youker, I rode this trail 7 miles from Bolton Notch to the west end at Colonial Road with my wife driving shuttle. Heading west on I-384 from Bolton Notch, turn right at end of guardrail and go downhill to parking lot. The trail is mostly wooded, and for the most part, except for a 1 mile stretch, not well maintained. The tree canopy, along with the elevated path make this a very special run. Also they almost require you to carefully walk your bike through as riding in those narrow openings can be very difficult. It is particularly bad from Pucker St. to Kings Rd. Great rail path for biking, running, snowshoeing, and strollin’. 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 Hop River State Park Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Best trails in Hop River State Park, Connecticut 158 Reviews Explore the most popular trails in Hop River State Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 316, then right on Monument Lane. For years this page existed to tell readers that I wouldn’t be completing the Hop River State Park Trail. I can see why the locals refer to it as a favorite. We passed a handful of friendly bikers and walkers. I ride a tadpole trike and being close to the ground leads to a different view, that you wouldn't have on an upright bike. Juncture with Air Line Trail. It has been reported that a large bear was seen on the trail section between Hop River Rd. Other than the uphill grade for 5 miles it was a very pleasant ride. Not much traffic in winter but trail was icy. I was thrilled to see that once you get to Burnap Brook Rd, the trail has been stonedusted with a drainage ditch. Very shady. It is well-maintained, easy to follow and can be combined with the Rockville Spur for different options. Walk your bike down to Rt. This is an incredibly under used resource. At Church and Phoenix Streets in Vernon, a trail called the Rockville Spur (sometimes known as Vernon Rails-to-Trails) branches north. Nice for dog walking. Heck, it would be fun. No reviews yet, be the first to write a review or ask a question. Mostly well packed dirt/gravel/stone dust. Some glass so be aware for dogs. You come to a road that that's it. Contact with the Hop River design team has developed some news on the last remaining undeveloped area on the Hop River Trail. View bonnie's Recording. The only down side is that the trail terminus in Willimantic is pretty anticlimactic. The really well groomed section is encouraging and I hope those responsible will continue in this endeavor. This is a beautiful trail and very family friendly, lots of shade. "Rode the trail from Church St trailhead about 9 miles to Andover or so on 10/13. The Hop River Trail from the bridge has been bushed back and is easily passible to Flanders Road. "I've enjoyed riding this trail end-to-end on several occasions over the past 8 years. Just be careful with new riders since there are a few steep drop-offs on the sides of the trail.Have fun! 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