1. Family Trail Guide
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  3. Bolton Notch State Park
Trail

Hop River State Park Trail- Bolton

Bolton, CT
Length: Varies
Type: Point-to-point

About This Trail

[Total: 0    Average: 0/5]

This former railroad line is now a trail that winds 20.2 miles through the towns of Manchester, Vernon, Bolton, Coventry, Andover, and Columbia.  Like a pathway through time, this serpentine path passes among modern subdivisions and crosses roads, but mostly takes the trail user along a remote, quiet and long unused path through the eastern Connecticut countryside.  Trail maps and more information from CT DEEP. 

Great wide flat accessible trail perfect for little walkers, bikers, and strollers. A variety of more challenging hikes are accessible from various points on the trail.  Interpretive signage, shelters and other features available at several points.

The Hop River State Park Trail in Bolton heading towards Vernon and Valley Falls State Park follows the rail road bed thru Bolton Notch State Park. Mostly flat stroller able/bike able terrain follows under towering mossy rock outcroppings and along a gentle brook. If you have puddle jumpers bring rain boots!  Nice and shady in summer. Connects to other trail heads for more difficult carrier hikes. Can hike for miles to other parking locations or do a short out and back trip.Along the side of the trail you will see remnants of the old railroad including railroad ties, telegraph poles and a sign with a photo of the old siding station.

Heading towards Manchester from the same area a new pedestrian bridge crossing  384 connects the rail trail to a paved bike path.

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Trail Features

Surface type Dirt
Stroller friendly Yes
ADA accessible No
Water fountains No
Bathrooms No
Pet friendly Yes
Nearby convenience store Yes
Camping Nearby No
Emergency support
within 5 miles 		No

Trail highlights

Creek / River, Lake, Shaded Hike, and Viewpoint

Fee & Parking Details

Fee : $0.00

At Bolton Notch State Park. At the junction of Route 44 and Route 6 in Bolton. Heading west on I-384 from Bolton Notch, turn right at end of guardrail and go downhill to parking lot. Steeles Crossing Road has parking for several cars. Also a park and ride lot just past the parking lot headed west on I-384

Trail Contributor

[Total: 0    Average: 0/5]

Mom of 2 in central CT, I have been a part of HIB since 2015 when I joined the Worcester branch in MA when my first child was still under 1 yr old.  Currently a Branch Ambassador for the Hartford Branch. We enjoy getting out to our favorite weekly HIB spot with friends and going on family hikes on weekends to check out new places in the area.

Contact Gretchen

Parking

Trail Head

Weather

Trail Map

About The Guide

Hike it Baby Family Trail Guide is an online resource to help families with children source trails that little legs can hike and parents can feel comfortable with. Hike details are sourced and have been hiked by families who participate in our community. Our contributors do their best to give you all the details they can, but if something is missed, you can reach out to the contributor and offer suggestions for them to add to make it a better trail description for all. This guide was built with a generous 3-year partnership with L.L.Bean. Like Hike it Baby, L.L.Bean believes that helping get families into nature from birth on is key to healthier, happier communities.
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Trail Disclaimer
Hike it Baby makes every effort to keep trail content up to date, but trail conditions are subject to change. Hike it Baby is not responsible for any injuries that occur while hiking the trails covered in this guide. Hike it Baby is a platform that helps connect families to federal, state and local parks nationwide.