Cycling is one of the most popular outdoor hobbies in Connecticut, and the state is brimming with beautiful bike paths. These bike trails complement Connecticut’s breathtaking natural surroundings, which include mountains, valleys, woods, and rivers.
Whether you want to bike through lonely forests or high-altitude mountain summits, Colorado provides bike trails to suit your needs. Choosing a bike trail among them is difficult, especially if you have no prior knowledge of them.
So, to assist you, I have compiled a list of the best bike trails in Connecticut.
1. West Hartford Reservoir
West Hartford Reservoir is one of the biggest trails in the United States. It is highly popular among hikers and bikers, especially due to its massive length. This one is a 6.1-km loop trail near Avon, Connecticut.
Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete. This is also a very popular area for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, so you’ll likely encounter many people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through October.
2. Air Line State Park Trail
This is a 69.7-km point-to-point trail near East Hampton, Connecticut. It is also considered an easy route, and it takes an average of 14 hours 4 minutes to complete. Though this is a popular trail for backpacking, hiking, and horseback riding, you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of the day.
3. East Rock Loop Trail
It is a 3.5-km loop trail near New Haven, Connecticut. The trail is considered as a moderately challenging route which takes an average of 1 hour and 2 minutes to complete. As this is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and road biking, there’s a high chance you’ll encounter other people while exploring.
You might also be interested in visiting the best state parks in Connecticut.
4. Farmington River Trail
Farmington River Trail is a 13.2-km point-to-point trail near Farmington, Connecticut. It’s considered to be quite easy, and requires roughly 2 hours and 31 minutes to complete. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
5. Hammonasset Beach State Park Walk
Hammonasset Beach State Park Walk, a 6.1-km out-and-back trail near Madison, Connecticut, takes an average of 1 hour and 6 minutes to complete. Besides biking, you can also enjoy other activities like birding and camping here.
6. Pistol Creek
Located near East Berlin, Connecticut, the 3.4-km loop trail is normally treated as an easy route; it takes an average of 43 minutes to complete. You can enjoy birding, road biking, and trail running peacefully on this popular trail. The best times to visit this trail are April through October.
If you also enjoy hiking, then make sure to check out the best hiking trails in Connecticut.
7. Housatonic Railway Trail: Monroe
This 4.8-km out-and-back trail is near Monroe, Connecticut, which takes an average of 57 minutes to complete. It’s a rather lovely trail which lets you enjoy birding, cross-country skiing, and hiking in addition to biking. Moreover, it’s also a kid-friendly trail, so you can visit this beautiful trail any time of the year with your children.
8. Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail
Located near Suffield, Connecticut, this 13.8-km out-and-back trail takes an average of 2 hours and 33 minutes to complete. The best times to visit this trail are April through November. You can experience this paved trail with your pet and also take in the breathtaking views of the river and canal.
9. Hop River State Park Trail
Enjoy this 33.2-km point-to-point trail near Manchester, Connecticut that takes an average of 6 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Along with biking, you can even do activities like hiking or walking, birding, horseback riding and cross country skiing. The park is open 8 am to sunset, and you can go to this park any time of the year.
10. Farmington Canal State Park Trail
Get to know this 17.5-km out-and-back trail near Cheshire, Connecticut. You might think it as an easy route considering the fact it takes an average of 3 hours and 12 minutes to complete. The whole trail is smooth, flat and well-maintained, making it a perfect place for biking.
11. Bear Mountain trail
Bear Mountain is a part of the Taconic Mountains in Connecticut, and is actually a peak of the Taconic Mountains. Besides the Taconic Mountains, the mountain range of Bear Mountain also includes the Appalachian Mountains. The elevation of Bear Mountain is 708 meters, making it one of the highest mountain peaks in Connecticut and it has a prominence of 132 meters. So, Bear Mountain trail offers the highest view for bikers.
12. Mount Frissell trail
Mount Frissell, elevated to a height of 708 meters, is the highest mountain peak in Connecticut. Along with its incredible elevation, the mountain also has a prominence of 238 meters, making it one of the largest mountains in the state. The mountain range of Mount Frissell includes the stunning Taconic Mountains and Mount Frissell trail. The trail itself is one of most best mountain biking trails in the state.
13. East Peak trail
A part of the Hanging Hills in the city of Meriden, East Peak trail is a traprock mountain road. The age of the rocks forming this mountain is estimated to be 200 million years old, making it one of the oldest mountains in Connecticut. Additionally, the trail is elevated to a height of 297 meters, offering a superb view.
Biking is one of the healthy recreational activities and these wonderful biking trails in Connecticut are providing opportunities to practice this hobby. You can even visit these trails with your family and spend a memorable time together.