Connecticut Explorer: Trail Biking The Monroe Housatonic Railbed

Stream Crossing on the Monroe Housatonic Rail Trail

The Monroe Housatonic Rail bed trail is biking bliss. This 5 mile linear trail is paved with finely crushed stone. It's flat and wide trail bed is easy for any level biker or walker.

The Monroe Housatonic is the last leg of the Pequonnock Valley Greenway - a system of bike trails stretching from Seaside Park in Bridgeport to Newtown. The Housatonic trail begins at Great Hollow Lake Park and progresses inland to the Newtown town line. More adventurous riders equipped with mountain bikes can continue on the Newtown trail which is established but undeveloped.

Great Hollow Lake Park, Monroe Connecticut

Contents:
Description
Overview and Statistics
Trail Map and Directions
Photos
Video
Links
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It was a postcard May Sunday morning when I set out on the Monroe trail. I was able to park for free at Great Hollow Lake which does not officially open until Memorial Day weekend. I was one week early. The air was a pleasant 75 degrees, and I arrived at the park among other families and weekenders intent on relaxation and recreation.

Fishermen lined the lake edges and the beach began filling with young families and industrious sand castle building children. The trailhead was easy to find just off the main entrance road. The trail is wide and accommodating to walkers, joggers, dog walkers, and bikers.

Along the trail a canopy of trees rose overhead, elevated on rock cliffs. A sort of canyon enveloped me through the first mile. Hiking trails into Wolfe park crossed the bike-way and led off into a mysterious forest and lush swampland. The third mile was about the same. There is a short interruption in the trail around the fourth mile where I was spit out onto a road - but it was a road lightly traveled and had plenty of shoulder to feel comfortable riding. After 5 -10 minutes on the road I was reclaimed by the crushed stone trail.

The trail narrows and becomes rougher as you cross Pepper Street and head towards Newtown. Then it abruptly ends. A dirt mountain biking path continues past a sign welcoming you to the Newtown trail. The Newtown trail sports its orginal rails and ties, but does have an adequate path for mountain biking.

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The Housatonic Railbed Trail, Monroe Connecticut

Monroe Housatonic Bike Trail

COUNTY: Fairfield
COMMUNITIES: Monroe, Newport

TOTAL MILES: 5 miles linear
DIFFICULTY: Very Easy
PAVEMENT: Crushed Stone

POINTS OF INTEREST: Great Hollow Lake Park

Directions and Trail Map

Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.

Or Click here to open Interactive Map in Google Maps App.

Address for your GPs: 40 Purdy Hill Road, Monroe CT
| coordinates: N41.312718,W073.247568|