WESTLAKE AREA BIKEWAY:
MATTABESETT TROLLEY TRAIL:
MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: July 17, 2025
Length: Westlake Area Bikeway; 2.3 miles
Mattabesett Trolley Trail; 1.8 miles
Tuttle Road Trail & Moss Glen Trail; 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Westlake Area Bikeway; Moderate. Paved trail with some steep hills.
Mattabesett Trolley Trail; Easy. Flat, paved rail trail.
Tuttle Road Trail & Moss Glen Trail; Moderate. Paved trail with a hill.
Directions:
To start from Middle Street (No parking available) [Western End]; From I-91take exit 21to Route 372 westbound. After crossing over the Mattabesett River turn left onto Main St, which turns into Middle St. The trail starts just past Bradley St on your left after 1.1 miles. No official parking lot, however, there are commercial lots near by.
The Westlake Area Bikeway travels South, along the Western Side of I-91 alongside the road, then North, back along the Eastern Side of I-91 and connects to the Mattabesett Trolley Trail, which travels North, then East, through the woods and alongside the Mattabesett River. Part of this trail utilizes the rail bed from the old Mattabesett Trolley Line. At the end of the Mattabesett Trolley Trail, a BIKE LANE takes you South, out to the Tuttle Road Trail. Follow this trail West, to Moss Glen Trail and travel North, back to the Mattabesett Trolley Trail. Future plans will continue the trail South, to Middletown. See; NEWFIELD CORRIDOR BIKE TRAIL . For more information visit; JONAH CENTER .
Starting from Middle Street (No parking available); The paved Westlake Area Bikeway starts off Middle St where you'll find a small brick patio with benches & bike racks. It travels South, downhill alongside Middle St. At the bottom of this hill turn left, East, where the trail continues alongside Smith St. This section is a little nicer with a bit more greenway. After traveling underneath I-91 you'll head uphill and come to West Lake Dr on your left at 1.2 miles. Here the trail begins a gradual assent North, through this townhouse heavy neighborhood. You'll crest this hill at 1.7 miles and start a long descent. When you reach the bottom of the hill, a crosswalk takes you over to the start of the Mattabesett Trolley Trail at 2.3 miles. Head North, alongside Russet Lane, for a short distance before passing by West Lake. The trail enters the woods bringing you to a sharp curve and he old Mattabesett Trolley Line rail bed at 2.6 miles.
Note; Left, West, the old hard packed dirt rail bed heads into the woods, bringing you to an old trestle bridge over the Mattabesett River. Use caution as there is no longer any bridge decking.
Continue right, East, along the trail which takes you across a bridge over Minor Brook. The trail then bears North, off the old rail bed, where it travels underneath Route 217, next to the Mattabesett River at 3 miles. The trail then turns South, back to the old rail bed and continues East. You come to an intersection on your right at 3.3 miles.
Note; This Spur Trail takes you South, to the Moss Glen Trail. This is also where you'll Loop back to from the end of the Mattabesett Trolley Trail.
Continuing straight, East, you'll parallel the river before coming to Tuttle Pl at 4 miles. Follow a BIKE LANE along Tuttle Pl out to Tuttle Rd.
Note; To your left, the old rail bed would have crossed Tuttle Rd.
Head right, East, along the wide, paved Tuttle Road Trail up a small hill. Come to Putter Pl on your left at 4.3 miles.
Note; Future plans will continue the trail South, to Middletown. See; NEWFIELD CORRIDOR BIKE TRAIL .
Come to Moss Glen on your right and continue right, North and continue downhill along the paved Moss Glen Trail. This returns you to back to the Mattabesett Trolley Trail after 5.2 miles.
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT