TROUT BROOK TRAIL:
WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated:
September 22, 2022Length: Trout Brook Trail Southern Section; 1 mile
Trout Brook Trail Northern Section; 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, paved trail.
Directions:
From I-84 take exit 43 to Park Rd and turn right to Trout Brook Drive.
For the Northern Section; Turn left on Trout Brook Drive, then your next left on Boulevard. Turn left into the Norfeldt Field parking lot.
For the Southern Section; Turn right on Trout Brook Drive and follow 1.3 miles to Quaker Lane and turn right. Take your first right into Beachland Park. A parking area is right near the entrance. Note; There is no parking area at the start of the trail form New Park Ave, however, limited parking is available at the Fastrak Elmwood Station just south down New Park Ave. Continue along Quaker Lane to New Britain Ave and turn left. Take your first left onto New Park Ave. The Fastrak Elmwood Station is on your right. The trailhead is just up New Park Ave on the left (just before you cross Trout Brook).
The Trout Brook Trail, which parallels Trout Brook, will eventually link the Elmwood section of town, including the Elmwood Busway Station, with the northern end of town, in the vicinity of the University of Connecticut's West Hartford campus. A gap currently exists between the Northern and Southern Sections. For more information check out TROUT BROOK .
SOUTHERN SECTION:
Starting from New Park Ave;
Note; There is no parking area here, however, limited parking is available at the Fastrak Elmwood Station just south down New Park Ave.
The paved trail travels northwest along a berm with wood fencing above Trout Brook on your right. You'll pass by a spur trail on your left at 0.2 miles that leads to the Elmwood Community Center. A pavilion is located there. When you come to Quaker Lane, turn right crossing over the brook and you'll come to a cross-light that takes you over to Trout Brook Drive at 0.5 miles.
Note; If you head left back along Quaker Lane you'll come to the entrance for Beachland Park. Enter the park and you'll come to a parking lot. If you continue into the park and turn right a short section of road leads to a narrow paved trail that follows the western bank of Trout Brook. This trail brings you out to Manchester Circle after a 1/4 mile.
The trail continues north alongside Trout Brook Drive with only glimpses of Trout Brook. Just past the on/off ramp for I-84 the paved trail ends after 1 mile across from Jackson Ave.
Note; Phase 3, Jackson Ave to Park Rd is currently under design, as of February 2023. To reach the Northern Section continue on-road along Trout Brook Drive (narrow shoulder/narrow sidewalk available). Not recommended for kids on bikes. When you reach Park Rd at 1.8 miles two cross-lights will take you over to the start of the Northern Section on the west side of Trout Brook Drive/north side of Park Rd.
NORTHERN SECTION:
Starting from Park Road/Trout Brook Drive;
Note; A pedestrian bridge on your left crosses Trout Brook to a sidewalk leading to Raymond Rd. Be sure to check out this bridge.
Heading north the paved trail follows Trout Brook past Norfeldt Little League Field, then past the Norfeldt Field parking lot (spur trail leads to the parking lot) before traveling underneath Boulevard at 2 miles. You'll pass by a spur trail on the right that heads up to Boulevard. The trail continues north traveling between the river and Trout Brook Drive. A cross-light gets you over Memorial Rd where the trail continues alongside the road (the river is buried along this section).
Note; Across Trout Brook Drive is the CHILDREN'S MUSEUM .
Come to Farmington Ave after 2.5 miles. I haven't checked out the next section which continues the trail another 0.5 mils north alongside the brook to Fern St at 3 miles.
Note; Phase 6, Fern St to Duffield Dr, is scheduled for construction Spring 2023. Phase 7, Duffield Dr to Asylum Ave will come next.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR NORTHERN SECTION MAP
CLICK HERE FOR SOUTHERN SECTION MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT