HERITAGE-WAY BIKE PATH:
WETHERSFIELD, CONNECTICUT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: May 04, 2024
Length: Heritage-Way Bike Path; 9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate. A lot of on-road sections, also some hilly sections. It can be difficult at times to follow the route without missing a turnoff.
Directions:
To start from the 1860 Reservoir [Southern End]; From I-91, take exit 25 to Route 3 (Maple St). Look for Hang Dog Lane on the right. Take it to Highland St and turn right. Look for a narrow dirt road on your left, this is also a boat launch site.
To start from Mill Woods Park [Southern Section]; From I-91, take exit 25 to Route 3 (Maple St). Take a right onto Prospect St. The park entrance will be on your left.
Wethersfield's Heritage-Way Bike Path is a multi-use path that connects many of the Town's existing recreation facilities and open space areas. The Heritage-Way occupies both off-road paths on town-owned land as well as existing roadways that are enhanced with safety signs.
Starting from the 1860 Reservoir parking lot/Highland Street [Southern End]; There is a signboard located next to the boat launch and parking area.
Note; Take a quick side trip by heading past the two large cement barriers along a dirt trail to a small bridge. From here you'll have a nice view of the Reservoir.
Travel back out to Highland St. Hang a left, North and travel on-road along the Heritage-Way Bike Path. There is also a narrow sidewalk available. There are green "bike route" signs posted all along the route. Highland St bears right, East. You pass by Highcrest fields after 0.7 miles and start a long downhill decent. Take a left, North, on-road along Griswold Rd (sidewalks along both sides) and at 1.9 miles take a right, East, onto a stone-dust path into Mill Woods Park. You'll pass by the ball fields and enter a parking lot. Head left through the lot and follow the road out towards the tennis courts. Here, you'll find another signboard. Follow the road left, North, out the exit to Prospect St. A cross light is too your left that will take you over Prospect St. Continue North on-road up Wolcott Hill Rd, keeping a sharp eye out to your left, West, for Brimfield Rd. If you come to a deli and grocery store, you missed it (good chance to grab some refreshments however). Along the right side of Brimfield Rd will be a stone-dust trail referred to as Folly Brook Blvd at 2.9 miles. Follow this trail as it travels North through a residential corridor. Cross *Wells Road at 3.4 miles. Continue North on-road along Folly Brook Blvd to the Wintergreen Woods parking lot at 3.6 miles. Sign board. The stone-dust trail is a bit wider along this section as it passes behind the Wethersfield High School. After crossing over Nott St at 4.3 miles, Continue on-road along Folly Brook Blvd (residential). Take your first right, East, on-road along Greenfield St and pass by the Pitkin Community Center. This brings you out to Park St, which is divided by a median. Head left, North and take a right, East, when you come to Cumberland Ave. This is a very pleasant neighborhood with a tree lined median. You'll need a sharp eye to spot a narrow, stone-dust path on your right, South, just before the end of this road. This "school path" then crosses over Oxford St and continues as a narrow, paved path alongside Charles Wright elementary school and out to Nott St at 5.6 miles. Hang a left, East and cross over Silas Deane Highway via the cross-light. Continue along Nott St, traveling over the railroad tracks and you'll pass by Standish Park (playground). This brings you to Hartford Ave. Take the crosswalk over Hartford Ave, turn left and use another crosswalk over State St. Follow Hartford Ave past the Soloman Wells House, then turn right into the Cove Park parking lot at 6.3 miles. A stone-dust trail heads East, through Cove Park, bringing you to a nice overlook of Wethersfield Cove. Benches and picnic tables are located here. The trail travels alongside the cove and brings you to a boat launch.
Note; Take a quick detour by heading left, North, which will bring you to Wethersfield Cove Park. A parking lot is located here.
Turn right and follow the road up to Main St. Turn right, South, on-road along the broad, tree lined Main St, passing by old historic homes dating back to the 1600's to 1800's. At 7.2 miles you need to keep a sharp eye to your left for **Hart Street. Travel East on-road along this narrow residential street that bears right and becomes Marsh St. Turn left along Burbank St and travel underneath I-91. Turn right, South, down Great Meadows Rd and you'll then travel underneath Route 3 and come to the Great Meadows Road parking lot at 8 miles.
Note; Here, you can connect to the Putnam Bridge Bike Path , which travels Northeast across the Connecticut River, to the Naubuc Ave parking lot in Glastonbury. Here, heading South, on-road, will bring you to the Riverfront Park Trail in Glastonbury, which is part of the Glastonbury Trails network. A Spur Trail off the Putnam Bridge Bike Path leads down to the South Meadows River Trail , which travels North along the Connecticut River to E Hartford. See; Map Below.
Continuing along Great Meadows Rd you'll come to a large yellow gate. Road closed to traffic beyond here.
Note; This last section is very isolated and not recommended for bikers traveling by themselves.
The road deteriorates and the pavement brakes up as you pass through large fields heading East. You'll come to a dirt road on your right, labeled 2nd Lane on the Map, after 8.5 miles. Travel right, South, along 2nd Lane. Follow this rough, dirt road and you'll soon come alongside the Connecticut River. The road splits at Elm Street & Elm Street Extension.
Note; You may continue South along the dirt, Elm Street Extension, as it follows the Connecticut River past farm fields.
Head right, West, along dirt Elm Street away from the river and you'll travel underneath I-91 to Elm St and Great Plain Ln at 9.7 miles. Head right, Northwest, on-road passing scenic horse farms and you'll come to Route 3. There is a cross-light, however, this is a very busy and dangerous road so USE CAUTION. Continue Northwest, on-road along Elm St, which will bring you out to Broad St and the Town Green. Turn right, then left on Constitution Way, crossing the Town Green. Continue straight, on-road along Garden St which will bring you to Main Street after 10.7 miles.
Two Options from Here:
Option A: From Main Street, you can head right, North, on-road back to ** Hart Street and the Heritage-Way Bike Path (Blue line on Map) after 0.5 miles and retrace your route North.
Option B: From Main Street, head left, Southeast, on-road. Main St becomes *Wells Road as you travel East. Return to the stone-dust Heritage-Way Bike Path after 1.1 miles and retrace your route South.
HH
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT