Connecting Trails
The NHNCG connects other rail trails and multi-use paths. Here are the major current and proposed connections.
East Coast Greenway - connects in New Haven and in Simsbury
The East Coast Greenway connects 15 states and 450 cities and towns for 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida.
The East Coast Greenway and the NHNCG share the same path for around 47 miles. The southernmost point is at Long Wharf Drive in New Haven, where the ECG goes west along the shore. The northernmost point is in Simsbury at Hopmeadow Street where the ECG goes east towards Hartford.
More on the ECG in Connecticut: https://greenway.org/states/connecticut
Farmington River Trail - connects in Farmington and Simsbury
The Farmington River Trail (FRT) is a 17-mile combination of paved multi-use off-road sections and on-road sections, which connects to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail (FHT) at both the northern and southern ends. By adding a section of the FCHT between the FRT end points, a 28-mile loop trail can be traveled.
More at: https://www.cttrailfinder.com/trails/trail/farmington-river-trail and https://fchtrail.org/
Westfield River Multi-Use Path - connects in Westfield - currently in development though parts are rideable and in an unimproved condition
The Westfield River Multi-Use Path is planned to run along the south side of the Westfield River and it will cross the NHNCG at the south side of the Westfield River Bridge.
Westfield Breaks Ground On 1.5-Mile Walking, Biking Path Along River Levee
MassLive, The Westfield News, May. 13, 2024, Amy Porter
City and state officials broke ground for the construction of the Westfield River Multi-Use Path. The project, to be funded by MassDOT, will widen the crest of the levee to 14 feet across and add a 10-foot wide asphalt multi-use trail.
Full article at: https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-breaks-ground-on-15-mile-walking-biking-path-along-river-levee.html (paywall)
Mass Central Rail Trail - connects in Northampton - portions range from complete to in development
The Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT) is a partially-completed rail trail from Northampton, Massachusetts to Boston along the former right of way of the Massachusetts Central Railroad. The MCRT connects to the NHNCG just south of Main Street in Northampton. A short ride on the MCRT connects to other trails radiating out of Northampton.
More at:
Mass Central Rail Trail https://www.masscentralrailtrail.org/
Friends of Northampton Trails https://fntrails.org/
Shoreline Greenway - connects in New Haven - segments range from complete to in development
The Shoreline Greenway Trail is a project to build a trail and connect communities in a 25 mile corridor from New Haven to Madison, improving bicycle and pedestrian accessibility between and within those towns. Shoreline Greenway Trail (SGT), a nonprofit organization, is the primary advocate for the effort.
The Shoreline Greenway is planned to connect to the NHNCG in New Haven at Long Wharf, providing a connection to the towns from New Haven to Madison.
More on the Shoreline Greenway: https://shorelinegreenwaytrail.org/
New Haven To Create New Trail Connecting Farmington Canal Line And East Coast Greenway
Lily Belle Poling, Staff Reporter, Mar 04, 2024, Yale Daily News Publishing Co
Central CT Loop - connects in Cheshire and in Simsbury - currently in development with some segments complete
Central Connecticut Loop Study
The Lower Connecticut River Valley COG is currently studying the feasibility of developing a critical segment of multi-use trail loop through Middletown and Portland. Potentially linking the current end of the Airline Trail (ALT) in Cobalt with the Farmington Canal (FCT) Heritage Trail in Cheshire.
In total, the 111-mile-long Loop trail is intended to run primarily off road and utilize the Airline Trail, the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, the Charter Oak Greenway, and the Hop River Trail. It would link Middletown with Meriden, Southington, Plainville, Simsbury, Hartford, Manchester, Willimantic, East Hampton, and many other communities.
When completed, the Central CT Loop will share 24 miles of the NHNCG.
More at:
https://www.rivercog.org/plans/cctloopstudy/
https://thejonahcenter.org/air-line-trail-farmington-canal-trail-connector-route/
Existing, planned, and proposed routes for the Central CT Loop Trail
Published on October 24, 2023
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