SOUTH MEADOWS RIVER TRAIL:
EAST HARTFORD-GLASTONBURY, CONNECTICUT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: November 04, 2023
Length: South Meadows River Trail; 1.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate. Mostly flat hard packed dirt, grass and sand. Partly paved. Mt bike recommended.
Directions:
To Start the from Goodwin College parking pavilion in East Hartford [Northern End]; From I-84 take exit 55 to Route 2 south. Take exit 5A to High St and turn right. Travel 0.3 miles and turn right on South Meadows Lane. If the gate is open it will bring you to the parking pavilion next to the Connecticut River. If the gate is closed park in the spots at the start of South Meadows Lane and follow the gravel road 0.3 miles down to the pavilion and start of the trail.
The South Meadows River Trail follows the Eastern Bank of the Connecticut River from East Hartford, through a slice of Wethersfield, to Glastonbury. Currently the trail begins at Goodwin College's Field Lab in the South Meadows and travels South to the Putnam Bridge in Glastonbury. Plans are in the works to extend the trail North to Goodwin College's existing campus paths.
Starting from Goodwin Colleges parking pavilion [Northern End]; Map Board and Porto-Potty located here. Caution trail floods during the Spring.
Note; Heading North (Right) the paved South Meadows River Trail only travels 0.1 miles before ending. Plans are for the trail to be extended north to Goodwin College's existing campus paths.
Heading South (Left) the paved South Meadows River Trail follows the Connecticut River south. Picnic tables located here along with an exercise area. Informational signs, Map Boards and benches along the trail. The paved trail splits after 0.2 miles.
Note; Heading left the paved Inland Trail winds inland through the woods before bringing you to Keeney Cove. It then connects back to the South Meadows River Trail after 0.2 miles.
Continuing straight along the main trail you continue alongside the river. Pass by the Inland Trail where both combine at 0.4 miles. The paved section ends after 0.6 miles at the Wethersfield town line. Some benches overlook Keeney Cove Marsh. Here the trail is hard packed dirt & grass. Quickly cross the Glastonbury town line where the trail gets a bit sandy and rutty. Avoid after heavy rains. Cross a bridge at 1.5 miles and come to another Map Board and benches. Straight a gravel road leads towards the Putnam Bridge (Route 3). Future plans call for connecting to the Putnam Bridge Path which will take you across the Connecticut River to Wethersfield. This in turn will connect to the Heritage-Way Bike Path in the future.
Phase 5 will pave the trail south from the Wethersfield town line to the Glastonbury town line.
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CLICK HERE FOR RIVERFRONT TRAIL & SOUTH MEADOWS RIVER TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SOUTH MEADOWS RIVER TRAIL MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT
