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Moosup Valley State Park Trail

Moosup Valley State Park contains a linear trail that encompasses 62 acres and stretches across two eastern Connecticut towns, Plainfield and Sterling.
Trail Activity
Accessible Experience Hiking Cross-country skiing Mountain biking Horseback riding
Length
5.8 miles, One Way
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Towns
Plainfield, Sterling
Surface
Packed Earth/Dirt, Gravel/Crushed Stone, Paved/Cement
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

The Moosup Valley State Park Trail is a 5.8 mile rail trail in eastern Connecticut. It passes through the towns of Sterling and Plainfield on the rail bed of the former New Haven Railroad. 

In Plainfield, the trail is about 2.2 miles long with its western terminus at the River Street parking area. Heading east, the trail skirts the edge of the Moosup River Valley and offers occasional scenic vistas – more so in leaf off seasons. The trail continues 3.6 miles across Sterling to the Rhode Island border. From there the trail continues east as the Coventry Greenway through the town of Greene into Coventry, Rhode Island.

Surfaces range from frequent packed dirt with some grassy, sandy and gravelly areas. Some lengths are still dominated by the old railroad ballast. There are two paved sections - between Whitney Hill Road and Barber Hill Road in Moosup and between Providence Road and Spring Lake Road in Sterling. 

Other Information

Rules

  • The park is open from 8 am to sunset.

Trail Manager

CT DEEP: Pachaug State Forest
CT DEEP: Pachaug State Forest
Pauchaug State Forest, Route 49
P.O. Box 5
Voluntown, CT 06384
(860) 376-4075
View website

Trail Tips

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Know your limits – it’s okay to turn back. Your home is the ultimate destination, not the summit.
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Trailhead Information

The trail crosses the following roads at grade, providing access and parking at multiple locations: 

  • Main Street/Route 14 in Plainfield (parking area), 
  • River Street in Plainfield, Barber Hill Road in Plainfield (parking area), 
  • Brunswick Avenue in Plainfield (parking area), 
  • Main Street in Sterling, 
  • Industrial Park Road in Sterling, 
  • Route 14 in Sterling, 
  • Babcock Road in Sterling (parking area), 
  • Spring Lake Road in Sterling, and 
  • Route 14A in Sterling (gravel parking).
Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
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