After work or on the weekends, get out and burn off some excess energy and stress with an adrenaline-pumping mountain bike ride. Countless state parks and forests allow for mountain biking, making it possible to explore different trails each weekend all year long. Here are the 10 best trails in Connecticut.
Pachaug State Forest is 24,000 acres of gorgeous woods, ponds, and trails made for mountain biking. This state forest is a great option to take bikes out for a spin, and biking, particularly in the Green Falls area, is permitted. Hunting is also permitted in season, so it would be best to wear brightly colored clothing or have reflectors on your bike for safety.
Bluff Point is an awesome state park for running and biking along the water. The trails are well-maintained here and the parks spans a total of 800 acres. Getting off the beaten path at Bluff Point is also possible since the park is so vast.
Get your bikes ready for a season of riding with a trip to Mianus River Park. The park features areas for dog walkers, joggers, fishers, and mountain bikers looking for an escape from the city. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, allowing bikers to take advantage of the long summer evenings.
Grab your helmet and head to Collis P. Huntington State Park, which is a great option for mountain biking in southwestern Connecticut. Along the scenic trails, bikers will see five ponds, thick woodlands, and sculptures of bears and wolves at the entrance. This park features 1,017 acres.
Feel like you need a break from the everyday grind in the city? Head to West Rock Ridge State Park where you can burn off some stress with a mountain bike ride that provides views of New Haven’s harbor and Long Island Sound. Make your way to the ridge and see stunning views on a clear day.
Air Line State Park is an awesome option for mountain biking, especially for those seeking a long ride. The Air Line State Park Trail runs through numerous towns across Connecticut making it a great option for meeting up with bikers from other locations. The trails here are very well maintained, so it is also an appropriate choice for those learning to bike.
Head up rocky hills and down into wooden areas at Rockland Preserve. At this scenic preserve, you’ll bike past thickets of Connecticut’s state flower, the mountain laurel, and past Coan Pond, which is teeming with local wildlife.
Bike along the Pequonnock River on this beautiful trail that cuts through numerous parks and winds its way through three towns: Bridgeport, Trumbull, and Monroe. If you feel like heading inland, trails can be found leading away from the river and into the forests. This trail and the surrounding lands were only connected in 2002, and are meant to protect the local watershed.
Great for mountain biking in both winter and summer, Cowles Park is just minutes from Hartford, making for a perfect escape from the capital. Trails range from easy to more difficult and include loop trails and out and back trails.
This rather undeveloped park is ideal for bikers looking to get off the beaten path. George Waldo State Park features 150 acres of forest with both hills, valleys, flat lands, and wetlands. From 8 a.m. until sunset, mountain biking, hiking, and dog walking can be enjoyed.