Stratton Brook — main rail-bed bicycle return
Connecticut · Rail-trail
From the public park visitor lot walk to the signed Farmington River Trail near the covered bridge. Follow that main former-rail corridor east for up to half a mile and retrace at the actual park-route end or barrier. Do not turn onto colored woodland loops; the park map reserves those for foot travel.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Simsbury · Connecticut
- Ride length
- Up to 1 mile return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Developed main rail-bed bicycle route; surface texture varies, use only firm dry tread
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Local ramps, street crossings and gentle/rolling grades; no surveyed maximum-grade promise.
- Starting location
- Stratton Brook State Park public main bicycle-trail access, 149 Farms Village Road, Simsbury, CT
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
State manager published park reference, not a surveyed parking lot or trailhead pin. Use the written named bridge/main-trail public start.
Stratton Brook — main rail-bed bicycle return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Stratton Brook State Park public main bicycle-trail access, 149 Farms Village Road, Simsbury, CT.
State manager identifies accessible public visitor parking at the park. Use signed open visitor spaces and walk the internal lot approach; reserved shelter/program areas have separate conditions.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 1 mile return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: From the public park visitor lot walk to the signed Farmington River Trail near the covered bridge. Follow that main former-rail corridor east for up to half a mile and retrace at the actual park-route end or barrier. Do not turn onto colored woodland loops; the park map reserves those for foot travel.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Developed main rail-bed bicycle route; surface texture varies, use only firm dry tread. Local ramps, street crossings and gentle/rolling grades; no surveyed maximum-grade promise.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
8 a.m. to sunset. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. State describes the former railroad as a bicycle trail and identifies the park’s accessibility. Its published map specifically permits nonmotorized multi-use on Farmington River Trail and reserves all other park trails for foot travel. This scoped outing stays on the developed main rail bed; no claim that every park path is paved or cycle-permitted. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.