Stamped by the footprint of the Berkshires and cut by the
roaring Housatonic River as it makes its way from the Northern Berkshires
to the Long Island Sound, Northwestern Connecticut encompasses some of the best mountain biking terrain. The landscape is characterized by a mix
of rugged hills, pastoral countryside, farmlands, classic New England villages,
rushing rivers and spring fed mountain lakes. In places such as the Mohawk
State Forest, Woodbury Ski Area and White
Memorial Conservaton Center in Litchfield Hills, mountain bikers can explore miles of scenic routes from gentle, tree-lined back country roads to rugged mountain trails.
The Connecticut River is New England's largest river ecosystem and one of
the nation's 14 American Heritage Rivers. It cuts through Central Connecticut, a land of rolling
hills and fertile river plains. Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, is the largest
city in the area. Despite the urban sprawl, there are outstanding mountain biking destinations,
such as the forested trails of Nepaug
State Forest, serene country roads along the Farmington River, scenic Penwood
State Park crested atop the Talcott Mountain Range, the MDC
Reservoirs in West Hartford, and Farmington's Winding
Trails Recreation Area.
Some places along the Connecticut River Valley are as wild as any you'll find in New England.
In striking contrast are
State Parks
such as Wadsworth Falls State Park and Colis
P. Huntington State Park, a
former country estate.
Old whaling harbors and captain’s houses are evidence of the maritime influence that permeates the Coastal Region of Southern Connecticut. Near the mouth of the Connecticut River, a few short miles from the Long Island Sound, the town of Essex built more than 500 sailing vessels between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. It has beautiful landscapes, interesting architecture and historic churches.
The Monroe-Housatonic Rail Trail, orginated in 1840 as the Berskshire Railroad. After a succession
of owners it was abandoned in 1962. Today, the trail travels on section of the old rail bed through the beautiful
forested landscapes of eastern Fairfield County. It is an exceptional fall foliage bike trip. You can't miss West Rock Ridge State Park. Straddling Hamden and New Haven, CT. It's as close to a wilderness mountain biking experience as you can get in the busy urban corridor beteen New York City and Boston.
In the Mystic Region, where waterfronts are bustling with fishermen, ferries, and yachts, you'll find lighthouses, public beaches and miles of recreational trails for cycling and mountain biking including Haley
Farm State Park and Bluff
Point State Park and Coastal Reserve in Groton, CT. Bluff Point is the last remaining significant piece of undeveloped land along the Connecticut coastline. This 800 acre peninsula can be explored by bike.
Northeast Connecticut is known as Connecticut's Quiet Corner. It is a place where you can take leisurely bike rides over rolling hills, past orchards, wineries and farm fields. Scenic byways beckon you to pedal to small towns founded when America was still a colony. It is also a part of the Quinebaug and Shetucket River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The wilderness character of Goodwin
State Forest and the old-world charm of Mansfield
Hollow State Park provide a welcome contrast.
At any time of the year, mountain bike CT for an eclectic mix of mountain biking experiences.
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