MATTABESETT TROLLEY TRAIL:
WESTLAKE AREA BIKEWAY:
MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: January 21, 2024
Length: Westlake Area Bikeway; 2.2 miles
Mattabesett Trolley Trail; 1.8 miles
Tuttle & Moss Glen Roads Loop; 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Westlake Area Bikeway; Moderate. Paved trail with some steep hills.
Mattabesett Trolley Trail; Easy. Flat, paved rail trail.
Tuttle & Moss Glen Roads Loop; Moderate. Paved trail with a hill.
Directions:
To start from Middle Street; From I-91take exit 21to Route 372 westbound. After crossing over the Mattabesett River turn left onto Main St, which turns into Middle St. The trail starts just past Bradley St on your left after 1.1 miles. No official parking lot, however, there are commercial lots near by.
The Westlake Area Bikeway travels alongside roadways and connects to the Mattabesett Trolley Trail which travels through the woods and alongside the Mattabesett River. Part of this trail utilizes the rail bed from the old Mattabesett Trolley Line. At the end of the Mattabesett Trolley Trail the Tuttle & Moss Glen Roads Loop picks up, Looping you back to the middle of the Mattabesett Trolley Trail. Future plans will continue the trail South to Middletown. See; NEWFIELD CORRIDOR BIKE TRAIL . For more information visit; JONAH CENTER .
Starting from Middle Street; The paved Westlake Area Bikeway starts off Middle St where you'll find a small brick patio with benches & bike racks. It travels South downhill alongside Middle St. At the bottom of this hill turn left, East, where the trail continues alongside Smith St. This section is a little nicer with a bit more greenway. After traveling underneath I-91 you'll head uphill and come to Westlake Drive on your left at 1.2 miles. Here the trail begins a gradual assent North through this townhouse heavy neighborhood. You'll crest this hill at 1.7 miles and start a long descent. When you reach the bottom of the hill and the paved trail turns to sidewalk, a crosswalk takes you to the start of the Mattabesett Trolley Trail at 2.3 miles. Head North, alongside Russet Lane, for a short distance before passing by West Lake. The trail enters the woods bringing you to a sharp curve at 2.6 miles.
Note; This is part of the old Mattabesett Trolley Line rail bed. Left, West, the old hard packed dirt rail bed heads into the woods bringing you to an old trestle bridge over the Mattabesett River. Use caution as there is no longer any bridge decking.
Continue right, East, along the trail which takes you across a bridge over Minor Brook. The trail then bears North, off the old rail bed, where it travels underneath Route 217, next to the Mattabesett River at 3 miles. The trail then turns South back to the old rail bed and continues East. You come to an intersection on your right at 3.3 miles.
Note; This Spur Trail takes you South to Moss Glen Rd. This is also where you can Loop back to via Tuttle & Moss Glen Roads Loop from the end of the Mattabesett Trolley Trail.
Continuing straight, East, you'll parallel the river before coming to Tuttle Pl at 4 miles. Here you'll pick up the start of the Tuttle & Moss Glen Roads Loop. Follow the BIKE LANE along Tuttle Pl out to Tuttle Rd and head right, East, along the paved trail up a small hill. Pass by Putter Pl on your left at 4.3 miles.
Note; Future plans will continue the trail South to Middletown. See; NEWFIELD CORRIDOR BIKE TRAIL .
Come to Moss Glen Rd on your right, North and continue downhill along the paved trail. This returns you to back to the Mattabesett Trolley Trail after 5.2 miles.
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