NORTH GROSVENORDALE RIVERWALK:
THOMPSON, CONNECTICUT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: June 10, 2017
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; Turn left on Main St, cross the railroad tracks and turn right into the park. The trail runs alongside the gazebo. To start from Grosvenordale Pond; 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 up to Grosvenordale Pond past old mill buildings and a power canal. For more information visit; THOMPSON TRAILS .
Starting from Riverside Park; The trail runs north, next to the French River, through the park and past the ball field (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. After crossing over the bridge the trail briefly turns to stone-dust as it travels 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. Cross over River St and return to a paved trail alongside the 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 this road next to a bridge over the Canal. You now enter a tranquil area high above the river, which is down to your right. 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. You then come to the Grosvenordale Pond parking lot at 1.2 miles. The trail then turns to stone dust as it travels alongside the pond, until it turns to a hard packed dirt & grass surface at 1.4 miles.
Note: You may continue 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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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT