The Air Line Rail Trail is located in eastern Connecticut, and stretches more than 50 miles from near the Connecticut River to the Massachusetts border. It is divided into two sections. The South Section starts in East Hampton and ends in Willimantic, with the Colchester Spur branching into the center of the town of Colchester. The North Section continues from Willimantic to Thompson, and connects with the Massachusetts Southern New England Trunk Line trail. Portions of the trail are still undeveloped, but under the management of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the local municipalities that the trail passes through, the trail is an important link with the past and preserves open space for the future.
The trail is highlighted by panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Two dramatic viaducts tower 150 feet above the rivers that iron trestle bridges once crossed. New footbridges cross high over the Blackledge and Jeremy Rivers, allowing hikers and bikers to marvel at the expansive views of the scenery below. Scenic views of the Goodwin State Forest and Conservation Center, Beaver Brook State Park, the Hampton reservoir, the Salmon River State Forest, and Grayville Falls Park make the Air Line Rail Trail one of the best greenways in Connecticut.
Currently, the South section of the trail is the best developed, from East Hampton to Hebron. The town of Lebanon is clearing and improving the rail trail. Much of the North section remains partially developed, with portions being paved and other parts still covered by the original ballast. However, the Department of Environmental Protection, along with the towns through which the railroad crosses, continue to develop and improve the rail trail. Students from the Coast Guard Academy in New London each year have built footbridges to replace old iron bridges that were removed when the railroad was abandoned in the 1960s.
The Air Line Rail Trail North section was recently designated as part of the Millennium Trails program, to build a linked trail up and down the east coast of the United States. With this designation, it will become eligible for increased federal and state spending.
Many hikers have a dream of being able to hike from the Connecticut River to the Rhode Island boarder. The town of Portland is now considering developing the trail west from East Hampton center to nearby the Connecticut River, where the railroad is still active and crosses the river on a swing bridge.
See the "Maps" link for more detailed maps of sections of the trails, as well as parking areas. The "Directions" link can guide you to these various parking areas. The "News" link shows some of the recent information about the trail from various state and town organizations and local newspapers.
Water has found new path ways in the cuts through hills, and eroded the rock into new courses. (5/2002)
TRAIL FACTS:
the Air Line Rail Trail South section is 22.7 miles long, from East Hampton to Windham. The surface is stone dust in East Hampton, Colchester, and Hebron and crushed stone, gravel, and ballast in Lebanon and Columbia. The trail is appropriate for walking, horseback riding, biking, cross country skiing, mountain biking, fishing, and is wheelchair accessible in East Hampton, Colchester, and Hebron. The Colchester Spur, 3 miles long from Amston to Colchester Center, is only partially developed.
the Air Line Rail Trail North section is 27 miles long, from Windham to Putnam. This trail, though largely undeveloped, is used by people on horseback, hikers, cross country skiers and mountain bikers. No motor vehicles are allowed on the trail. The surface is mainly ballast and gravel, with trap rock in some short sections. The section from the Goodwin State Forest Conservation Center to Route 44 in Pomfret is smooth, scenic and suitable for hikers, bikers and equestrians. The trail from Pomfret to Putnam is in poor condition and barely passable even on foot.
the Air Line Rail Trail Thompson section is 14 miles long, in Thompson to the Massachusetts state line. The trail is undeveloped and is used by people on horseback, hikers, cross country skiers and mountain bikers. No motor vehicles are allowed on the trail. The trail connects with the Southern New England Trunk Trail at the state line with Massachusetts.
The Rapallo Viaduct crosses 50 feet over the Flat Brook valley (6/2000)
POINTS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ON THE TRAIL:
Lyman Viaduct, Colchester
Rapallo Viaduct, East Hampton
River Road, Colchester stone arch bridge
Salmon River State Forest, Colchester
Raymond Brook Marsh Wildlife Preserve, Hebron
Grayville Falls Park, Hebron
Hampton Reservoir, Hampton
Pine Acres Lake, Hampton
Connecticut Audubon Society Bafflin Nature Sanctuary, Pomfret
Quinebaug River foot bridge, Putnam
I-395 Exit 98 Railroad Bridge, Thompson
Stone arch bridges in Portland, Colchester, Lebanon, Pomfret, and Hampton
Site of the Great East Thompson Train Wreck in 1891, East Thompson
Railroad stations along the trail are at this link - Railroad Stations on the Air Line
Water and kids is always a winning combination. (5/2002)
SAFETY TIPS:
Motorized vehicles of any kind are prohibited on all sections of the rail trail, even those not well developed. Motorized wheelchairs and other self-propelled mobility devices for the disabled are allowed. To report illegal ATV or motorcycle use on the trail, contact the CT DEP Communications Center at (860) 424-3333.
To report trail vandalism contact CT DEP District Headquarters at (860) 295-9523.
Travelers on the trail should keep to the right, especially when approaching others head on. Pass other users on the left, and call out to them before passing.
Hikers and bicyclists should use extreme caution when approaching horses. Bikers should dismount and ask the equestrian if it is safe to pass. This is even more appropriate in viaduct and bridge areas where there is the potential for injury and death from a fall.
Pets should be leashed and under control at all times.
Children should be supervised, especially in viaduct, bridge, and street crossing areas.
Fall and spring each have separate hunting seasons, and the rail trail passes through state and private land where hunting is permitted. Travelers on the trail should wear bright, florescent clothing.
Note that rail trail crossings with streets and rivers are in various states. In some cases, the rail trail and street are at the same level. In other cases, the street bridges the trail with an existing overpass, or vice versa, the trail crosses over the street on a bridge. There are some points where a street did cross over the railroad in the past, but the bridge has been removed and the overpass filled with stone and gravel. This means a rail trail traveler must climb one side of the fill, cross the street, and descend down back to the trail. This link has a picture of a filled crossing. The most dangerous crossing is where the trail passed over a street or river on a bridge, but the bridge has been removed. In this case, the stone abutments may still remain standing. Travelers on the trail must take care not to inadvertently fall.
The Air Line Rail Trail is an artifact of Connecticut's Railroad history, but also passes through what was once the heartland of Connecticut's agricultural activity. Some of the historical artifacts that remain behind from farms are barbed wire fences, wire fences, and stone walls. If you leave the trail bed, watch out for rusty barbed wire strung from trees, wooden poles, metal poles, and lying on the ground. Well built stone walls add to the beauty of the surrounding landscape, but if you decide to climb on these walls, remember that the many voids between stones are homes for snakes and bees.
Motorized vehicles, such as motorcycles, dirt bikes, and ATVs are prohibited on all sections of the Air Line Rail Trail. Gates like these lie across most trail crossings with streets. (4/2002)
TRAIL CONDITIONS:
The trail is well developed from East Hampton to Hebron. The surface is stone dust and level, and appropriate for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and wheelchairs. The towns of East Hampton, Colchester, and Hebron have created a trail map which is available at this link. The Colchester Spur, from Amston to Colchester Center, is undeveloped.
In Lebanon and Columbia, the trail is partially clear. There are several former street bridge crossings which have been filled, and there are drainage problems in some areas. However, the trail is easily passable by hikers and by more intrepid mountain bikers. The bridge over the Willimantic River from Lebanon to Windham is removed.
The trail from Windham to Pomfret is in good condition, the surface is rough with ballast, gravel, and trap rock. A small portion in Windham is paved. There are dips in the surface periodically which require cyclists to exercise caution. In Pomfret, near Route 44 there are drainage and flooding problems from the Abington Brook. There are also frequent filled street crossings. The illegal use of motorcycles and ATVs have created gullies and ruts on the paths for these filled crossings. The trail near the Baflin Audubon Society Nature Preserve is in good condition. The trail from Pomfret to Putnam is in poor condition, with many drainage problems, fallen trees, and encroachment by brush and bushes. It is best traveled on foot.
The trail in Thompson is in fair condition, and is illegally used frequently by ATVs and motorcycles. This has packed the surface of gravel, ballast, and trap rock into a bumpy hard track. Cyclists should exercise caution. The bridge over Exit 98 of Interstate 395 is covered with loose trap rock and dangerous for cyclists and horse back riders.
Users of the trail who wish to include their trail descriptions, please feel free to e-mail me.
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Page Last Updated: October 5, 2004