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Cheney Rail Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 40 Google reviews · Running trail in Manchester, Connecticut · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Cheney Rail Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Flat, shady route for walking and biking, featuring a bridge at the Center Springs Park side and a mural.
What runners say about Cheney Rail Trail
“Mostly level, shady, dirt path.”
“Seems a bit quiet at lunchtime but well kept”
Very easy, level, historic path. We walked from the Hilliard St parking lot to Cheney Mills and back again, 3.46 miles. Cool mural and pillar artwork by Ben Keller added at the Cheney Mills end in 2021.
Mostly level, shady, dirt path. Parking access from Center Springs Park (also shady), the new lot off Broad St. (all in the sun), & at Hilliard St. (half shaded). Path also goes a short distance north of Hilliard St, Idk why Google doesn’t show that part.
Squirrels kept getting in our way as we rode the trail. Someone needs to teach them some etiquette! In all seriousness, I love a good rail trail that is near things to do and has nice scenery. You get a mix of old industrial, suburban, and quaint downtown areas.
Nice short trail, mostly flat and goes right through Center Springs Park. Great for beginner bikers like myself. Always see people biking, walking dogs, just hanging out at any time of day.
Trail conditions & character
“Nice short trail, mostly flat and goes right through Center Springs Park.”
“Seems a bit quiet at lunchtime but well kept”
“Parking access from Center Springs Park (also shady), the new lot off Broad St.”
“I THINK it’s all wheelchair accessible now; at least most of it is.”
Plan your run at Cheney Rail Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
Running trails near Manchester
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Center Springs Park
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Center Memorial Park
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Green space for relaxation, concerts, art shows and other events.
Adams Mill Trail
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Charter Oak Park
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Union Pond Park
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Tidy, compact park with a pond for kayaking and fishing, along with a gym and picnic tables.
Mount Nebo Park
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Park offering a baseball field, bleachers, and a dog park.