NORTH GROSVENORDALE RIVERWALK:
THOMPSON, CONNECTICUT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: March 30, 2025
Length: North Grosvenordale Riverwalk; 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Paved, mostly flat trail except for some short stone-dust sections.
Directions:
From I-395 take exit 50 and head west on Route 200 to the junction of Route 12. Head right about a mile north on Route 12.
To start from Riverside Park [Southern End]; Turn left on Main St, cross the railroad tracks and turn right into the park. The trail runs alongside the gazebo.
To start from Heritage Way Park [Northern End]; Continue north along Route 12. You'll cross the trail as you head up a small hill, then turn right just past the Knights of Columbus's large white building. This takes you down to the boat launch parking area.
The North Grosvenordale Riverwalk starts at Riverside Park and follows the French River North, past old mill buildings and a Power Canal to Grosvenordale Pond and Heritage Way Park.
Starting from Riverside Park [Southern End]; The paved trail runs North, next to the French River, through the park to a ball field.
Note: A stone-dust trail circles the ball field.
Bear left, along a small paved trail, to a wooden ramp that takes you over the French River via a black iron bridge to Walker St. The trail briefly turns to stone-dust, as it travels alongside Walker St and past the Thompson Library. A sidewalk brings you through the parking lot to Route 12 at 0.6 miles. Cross over to a wooden boardwalk, next to an old mill Canal. The river was diverted to this Canal to provide power for the mill, which was built in 1872. Continue along the paved trail, which then crosses over River St and continues North, between River St and the old Canal. Notice the old stonework along the Canal bank. When you come to Buckley Hill Rd, the trail turns left, up a slight incline and crosses over the road, next to a bridge over the Canal. You now enter a tranquil area high above the river, which is down along your left. The Canal is on your left. Come to the North Grosvenordale Pond Dam, with its two spillways and gate valves. I think these probably opened up some gates below the surface to let water into the mill Canal. The trail turns left, West, along the Southern End of the lake. This brings you to the Heritage Way Park parking lot at 1.2 miles. The trail then turns to stone-dust, as it travels North, along the Western Side the pond, until it turns to a hard packed dirt & grass surface at 1.4 miles.
Note: You may continue North, along this trail, however, it travels away from the pond so not a lot of scenery. Small dirt & Pine needle paths do wind through the woods from the picnic table on your right alongside the pond for a bit connecting to the main dirt path.
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CLICK HERE FOR NORTH GROVENORDALE RIVERWALK MAP
CLICK HERE FOR THOMPSON TRAILS MAP
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WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT