The Farmington Canal State Park Trail in Cheshire and Hamden forms a portion of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail which traverses Connecticut, north to south, from Suffield to New Haven. The State Park Trail follows the path of the Farmington Canal which served the area from 1828 to 1847.
Read MoreThe Farmington Canal State Park Trail in Cheshire and Hamden forms a portion of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail which traverses Connecticut, north to south, from Suffield to New Haven. The State Park Trail follows the path of the Farmington Canal which served the area from 1828 to 1847.
The Farmington Canal State Park Trail is divided into two parts. The multi-use trail is 5.5 miles long and extends from Cornwall Street in Cheshire south to Todd Street in Hamden. The Canal Trail is an entity unto itself and not part of the local road system, but users should be aware of the numerous road crossings.
Todd Street marks the southern reach of the state park property but the multi-use trail continues south from there as municipal property. An additional 3.9 miles in north-central Cheshire, from Route 68 to Interstate-691, is also part of the park but is not yet developed for recreation.
Where the trail is complete and when the weather is good thousands of people make daily use of it. In their travels walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and skaters pass the remnants of the old canal bed, and the ruins of its locks and retaining walls.
Each season offers today’s trail users something different; a greening in the spring with emerging leaves and wetland plants; thick rich shading foliage in summer; the full spectrum of fall colors in autumn; and open vistas with frozen rock wall seeps in winter. But whatever the time of year this special reminder of Connecticut’s past provides a tranquil get-away for everyone who wishes to enjoy its serenity.
Pricing: Free.Other Amenities: Pet Friendly
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