The Farmington Canal State Park Trail in Cheshire and Hamden forms a portion of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail which traverses Connecticut, north to south, from Suffield to New Haven. The non-motorized multi-use trail follows the path of the Farmington Canal, which served the area from 1828 to 1847. Today walkers, bicyclists, strollers, inline skaters, joggers, and others make use of this scenic and historic byway.

Where the trail is complete and when the weather is good, thousands of people make daily use of it, passing by remnants of the old canal bed, the ruins of its locks, and old retaining walls. Each season offers today’s trail users something different; a greening in the spring with emerging leaves and wetland plants; thick rich shading foliage in summer; the full spectrum of fall colors in autumn; and open vistas with frozen rock wall seeps in winter. But whatever the time of year, this special reminder of Connecticut’s past provides a tranquil get-away for everyone who wishes to enjoy its serenity.