Hop River Trail--Bolton, Coventry, Andover

[David Ostafin]

Join us on Saturday, March 28, 2026 for our first hike of the 2026 Spring Season along a section of the Hop River Trail.  Meet at the trailhead parking lot at 32 Steeles Crossing Road (off Route 6), Bolton, CT at 10:30 a.m. for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m.  This is a completely flat hike along a rails-to-trails bike and foot path on the Hop River Trail, through the Towns of Bolton, Coventry, and Andover.  Our goal is to hike from Steeles Crossing Road (Bolton) to the picturesque Burnap Brook Falls (Andover).  Although the hike is completely flat (no elevations), it is deemed EASY TO MODERATE due to the total distance to be traversed:  2.6 miles from Steeles Crossing Road to Burnap Brook Falls, and back again, for a total distance of 5.2 miles.  The total walking time should be about two and half hours.

ABOUT THE TRAIL:  The Hop River Trail (total length is 20 miles) connects Manchester to the Air Line Trail in Windham, and travels from Manchesster through Vernon, Bolton, Coventry, Andover, and Windham (Willimantic).  Most of the trail (12 miles of it) is part of the East Coast Greenway, which links Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida.  It was a trail going back to colonial times, and was used by the French General Rochambeau to bring his army to combine with Washington's army for the Battle of Yorktown (June 1781).  In 1847 the land was acquired by the Hartford-Providence-Fishkill Railroad, which in 1849 completed a railroad link from Hartford to Providence (using mostly Irish immigrant laborers, many fleeing the Potato Famine).  The last passenger train on the tracks was in 1955.  The last freight train on the tracks was on September 29, 1970.  At that point, the land and tracks became part of the Penn Central bankruptcy, and ultimately became property of the State.  The train tracks were removed in the mid 1970's.  The trail then became part of the Rail-to-Trails project, and was fully completed in 2015 (although improvements/enhancements continue; even in 2025 when lighting was added to the Bolton Tunnel).

NOTE:  As always, dress appropriately for the season, including adequate footwear for possible muddy conditions, and read our DISCLAIMER (the group disclaims any liability; each participant is responsible for him/herself).  Bring ample water for hydration, and a light snack (fruit, nuts, trail mix) for the mid hike break at Burnap Brook Falls.  Dogs are welcome.  There are no bathroom facilities along the trail (only secluded trees).  

DIRECTIONS:  Set your GPS for "32 Steeles Crossing Road, Bolton, CT."  This road is off Route 6.  Parking at the trailhead is limited.  Come early and carpool as much as possible.

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL:  The optional after-hike social will be at Georgina's Restaurant, at 275 Boston Turnpike, Bolton, CT, which is located about a four-minute drive from the parking area on Steeles Crossing Road.

PREVIEW:  Our next event will be on Saturday, April 18, 2026 and will be a hike to the tri-state marker (CT-MA-RI) in the Northeast corner of Connecticut.  The trailhead is located at 652 East Thompson Road, in Thompson, CT.  The hike (to be led by Scott R.) will include a walk to the site of the Great East Thompson Train Wreck of 1891.  

David Ostafin and Giovani Querido