East Coast Greenway - Connecticut

Connecticut

Welcome to the East Coast Greenway in Connecticut

Air Line Trail

The 196-mile Connecticut East Coast Greenway route shows off the diversity of Connecticut from coast to inland, city to country. The eastern part of the state, sometimes referred to as the “last green valley” is the most rural area in the corridor between Boston and Washington, DC. A series of rail trails, including the Air Line Trail North and the Hop River Trail, run through this region connecting historic mill towns like Willimantic and pass through forests and farmlands between. In the western half of the state, the Greenway connects the major cities of Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford and allows users to experience history while touring the Farmington Canal Greenway from Simsbury to New Haven. Southwest of New Haven along Long Island Sound, the interim on-road route hugs the shore through the suburbs to the New York line.

Trail Status and Plans
Publications
Connecticut Partners and Supporters
More information on trails and greenways in Connecticut

Trail Status & Plans

25% of the 196-mile route is complete as traffic-free trail, and another 31% is in development. However, while much of the route is complete or in development, a few areas remain where the Alliance and its partners will need to devote extra time and energy in the coming years. These areas are the Merritt Parkway Trail, envisioned to parallel the Merritt Parkway in Fairfield County (read an article about the proposed Merritt Parkway Trail), the Farmington Canal Greenway between Southington and Farmington, and the route from Hartford to Simsbury. Local advocacy in the state is strong, and we expect continuing progress over the years. View Stamford Mayor Daniel Malloy interviewed by Steve Mitchell.

To learn more about the trail progress and activities in Connecticut, visit the CT Committee page.

Equestrians on the Air Line Trail

Publications

ECG Maps and Cue Sheets
Google maps, turn-by-turn cue sheets, and overview maps are available to help plan your trip and find your way through the route in Connecticut.

Partners and Supporters in Connecticut

The ECGA is proud to be working with many great partners to bring the project to completion in the state of Connecticut. Partners include but are not limited to:

Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance
Connecticut Bicycle Coalition
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Connecticut Explorer’s Guide
Connecticut Forest & Park Association
Connecticut Greenway Council
Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association
Farmington Valley Trails Council
Greenwich Safe Cycling
Merritt Parkway Trail Alliance
South West Regional Planning Agency

Connecticut Mile Sponsors – thank you for your support! Your inscriptions are listed on our website and will eventually be posted in a kiosk along the route in Connecticut. Find out more about the Mile Sponsor Program.