Length:                        Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail; 1.3 miles

                                      Hanover Pond Linear Trail; 1 mile                                  

Difficulty:                    Easy. Flat, paved surface.

Directions:  

From the junction of Routes 70 & 71 in Meriden, take Route 70 west for 1.6 miles to the junction of Oregon Road. Spot the old "Red Bridge". There is parking area located just off Route 70 next to this bridge, as well as, more parking just up Oregon Rd, next to Hanover Pond. You may also start from the Finch Ave trailhead by continuing along Route 70 (River Rd) and taking a right onto Norton Lane and another right onto Cheshire St. Take your next right onto Sindall Rd, which becomes Finch Ave. The parking lot is on your right just past the Meriden Waterworks Building.

The Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail & Hanover Pond Linear Trail follow the abandoned rail bed of the former Meriden & Cromwell Railroad  which operated from 1885 to 1888 until its name changed to the Meriden, Waterbury & Connecticut River Railroad, when it was extended to Waterbury. In 1892 it became the New York & New England Railroad. Water power was used to power industry along the river including the Meriden Gorge Carpenters Dam, which fed a civil war button factory. Larger dams created lakes such as Hanover Pond at the beginning of the trail. Here, you'll also find the 78 foot long "Red Bridge" as it crosses over the river. The City of Meriden reportedly built the original Red Bridge, circa 1880, as a wooden enclosure as not to “spook” the horses as they crossed the river at a cost of less than $1,000. by hiring the local poor, and one carpenter in 15 days. The bridge, named because one of its wooden predecessors was painted red, is now used exclusively for those fishing and as the pathway to the trail entrance in Lions Club Park. The Hanover Pond Linear Trail closely follows the channel of Sodom Brook from Hanover Pond to Platt High School on Coe Ave. For more information visit; MERIDEN LINEAR TRAILS .

Starting from the "Red Bridge" off Oregon Road & Route 70; A map board is located here. The paved Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail travels northwest past two brownstone columns alongside the Quinnipiac River. There are benches and informational signs located along the trail, as well as, 1/4 mile markers. At 0.5 miles, there will be benches on your right and the remnants of an old stone dam across the river. You then follow along a long split rail fence and cross over a culvert with fencing on both sides. Containing along the trail, a small knoll on your right contains Hemlock trees. You then reach an old dead tree stump and a fallen tree at the end of this knoll. Look up the hillside through the Beech trees and spot a large two-trunked Oak tree next to a small Hemlock. Go to this tree, where a stone wall meets it coming from above. Follow this stone wall 2 paces (1 pace = 2 steps) uphill along the right side of the wall and you'll come to a stone cairn (large mound of rocks in the wall). Look for a long flat rock in the pile and remove only this rock to reveal the Quinnipiac River Gorge Letterbox. Continuing along the trail, you'll come to another set of benches at 1 mile and the remnants of an old stone bridge abutment. The trail ends after 1.3 miles at the Finch Ave parking lot. Here you'll find the brick Meriden Waterworks Building, built in 1914.

Starting from the "Red Bridge" off Oregon Road & Route 70; A map board is located here. The paved Hanover Pond Linear Trail travels east across Oregon Rd via a cross-light, then turns north alongside a double-wide sidewalk. Just before the Hanover Pond parking lot the trail becomes paved as it takes you between the parking lot and pond to a brownstone column and map board at 0.2 miles.

Note; The trail is set to have its Grand Opening in October, 2013.

The trail travels briefly alongside the pond with a nice overlook before coming to an intersection at 0.4 miles. A dirt path to your right travels alongside the pond. Continue straight. You'll cross over Sodom Brook twice as the trail follows the power line. Pass through a parking lot for Platt High School at a mile where the trail ends. Straight takes you out to Coe Ave. To your right across Coe Ave is a Skate Park.