Since 1991, thousands of local residents and visitors have discovered the joy and beauty of the Air Line Rail Trail, a scenic and peaceful 50 mile stretch across eastern Connecticut, through the towns of East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron, Lebanon, Columbia, Windham, Chaplin, Hampton, Pomfret, Putnam, and Thompson.
This trail is part of a network of more than 1,000 rail trails winding some 10,000 miles across the United States. Because they offer unique opportunities for recreation, relaxation and solitude, these former railroad lines are enjoying popularity among walkers, hikers, bicyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts.
One hundred years ago, the New York and New England Air Line Railroad signified machines, speed, noise, and smoke; today, the Air Line Rail Trail suggests escape from the modern world. While the railroad once symbolized power over nature, the rail trail now stands for identification with nature. And while the railroad once facilitated travel to distant places, the rail trail suggests a future in which we can enjoy what is in our own back yards.
Heavy spring rains result in cascading waterfalls where the rail trail cuts through a hill.
A crisp, autumn day in the Salmon River State Forest bring out these equestrians.
A early snow blankets this Air Line Rail Trail stone bridge in Portland.
A fall sunset highlights the color of the foliage on the Lyman Viaduct
Riders cross the foot bridge high over the Jeremy River in Colchester
Ample snow provides for excellent skiing on the trail
| What's new? |
| New photos of the Veteran's Memorial Greenway in Willimantic. Follow this link to the Photos Section. (11/21/2007) |
| Ghost Run Relay Results posted in the News section.(11/05/2007) |
| DEP temporarily closes Air Line Rail Trail In East Hampton for repairs on weekdays - see the News section for more details. Photos of the work are also at this link. (10/17/2007) |
| Air Line Rail Trail Segway Tours! Take an ride on the trail in Colchester on Saturday, October 20th, 2007. Read more about it in the News section. (09/25/2007) |
| Ghost Run Relay from Hebron to East Hampton on the Air Line Rail Trail is scheduled for Saturday, November 3, 2007. See the News section for more details and how to register. (09/25/2007) |
| Air Line Rail Trail is featured as a destination for the state's 'No Child Left Inside' web site. Visit the web page here. (9/01/2007) |
| New Air Line Rail Trail brochure is published by East Hampton, Hebron, Colchester, and Lebanon and features photos by Stan Malcolm. See News section for more details. (9/1/2007) |
| Portion of the Air Line Rail Trail South is temporarily closed while repairs are made to the Rapallo Viaduct - see the News article HERE. (06/08/2007) |
| The Lebanon Rails to Trails Committee announces the completion of Section 1 of the Air Line State Park Trail. See News section for more details. (January 15, 2007) |
| The Air Line Rail Trail is featured in the Rails To Trails Conservancy fall newsletter. See the news article here. (08/20/2006) |
| An Air Line Trail Video Documentary has been created by Bob Adams from Milford, Connecticut. Bob and his wife Joyce made the 13:45 documentary based on a day off from work back in late October, 2005. You can watch the video here. (05/06/2006) |
| Hebron is finishing up improvements on the Colchester Spur, a three mile section of the Air Line Rail Trail from the main trail into the center of Colchester. See News section for more details (04/2006) |
| An article about photographer Stan Malcolm entitled 'World Of Beauty In A Single Mile' is printed by the Hartford Courant chronicling Stan's award winning photography along the Air Line Rail Trail - see the news article here (01/25/2006) |
| Railroad Stations on the Air Line (3/5/2003) |
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Page Last Updated: November 21, 2007
Designed and written by Martin M. Bartel (mbartel@snet.net)
This web site is not affiliated with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or Department of Transportation (DOT), or any other municipal, federal or state agency.