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MDC Hartford Reservoir 6
4.7 ★★★★★ 214 Google reviews · Running trail in West Hartford, Connecticut · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from MDC Hartford Reservoir 6'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.
Park with trails, woods, and paved paths for walks, bikes, and kids.
What runners say about MDC Hartford Reservoir 6
“It makes for an extensive hike but if your looking for something short and beautiful you can def do it by itself.”
“A truly beautiful and peaceful time in the early am.”
“Beautiful and peaceful place to go for an easy hike.”
“There are many walkers, dog walkers, bikers, and familes with strollers.”
11.6.21 Early morning and the 1st lot was full so drove to the MDC employee parking lot and started the walk from there. Porta potties at both parking lots. The trail is easy to follow. Several folks walk just the paved trail. But the approximate 3 mile loop is a mix of in the woods and around the Reservoir.
Love this park and amazing view good for exercise it’s long definitely worth coming here just follow the trails you will be good.
I wrote a review for the other Reservoir 6 page but I'll add my two cents on this page as well. Reservoir 6 is owned by Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). The reservoir itself is 135 acres. There is a 3.6 mile (red loop) walking path all along the body of water. The yellow paved path, is out and back and is 1.
Beautiful 3.9ish mile hike if you complete the whole loop. Excellent views of the reservoir. Dog friendly and relatively flat with a couple rolling hills. A bit icy/snowy in the winter. A large portion of the trail is fire road with a small portion paved.
Trail conditions & character
“Love this park and amazing view good for exercise it’s long definitely worth coming here just follow the trails you will be good.”
“One half of the trail is through cool woods on a gravel road, and the other half is either beside the reservoir or on a paved road.”
“Very nice spot to have a pretty flat almost 4 mile loop around a nice reservoir.”
“) People are pretty good about cleaning up after their dogs here and there are a couple of port-a-potties for people in or near the parking lots.”
“But the approximate 3 mile loop is a mix of in the woods and around the Reservoir.”
“) People are pretty good about cleaning up after their dogs here and there are a couple of port-a-potties for people in or near the parking lots.”
“A truly beautiful and peaceful time in the early am.”
Plan your run at MDC Hartford Reservoir 6
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Loop distance3 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Running trails near West Hartford
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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