Maintained by: The Hockanum River Linear Park Committee (HRLPC)

Parking at the beginning of the trail:
Park in the north end of the parking lot of the red brick building at 275 New State Road. Then walk about 200 feet north along the street, to a green and white sign reading: "Hockanum River Hiking Trail."

The trail walk:     (Note that the HRLPC favors locating the trail as close to the river as possible when laying out and clearing trails.)
The trail goes to the left, into the woods, on a dirt/gravel road past Well Building #6, and curves around to the left again, past Well Building #7. Then at Well Building #8 the path is on the left, and narrows as it goes toward the river. This section of trail first passes a section of the river that only flows when there is flooding, since a bypass channel has developed that takes a shortcut away from this area.

The main trail moves to the left over a side channel, across Bridge #1 onto an island and around and along the river, and then to the left again into a very scenic area, with a panoramic view of the river with many majestic Sycamore trees nearby. The Cedar wood chips along here are aromatic. This area is called Sycamore Park, and has a bench with a unique view of the river upstream: from the bench, during normal or low water flow, the river approaches from and flows away BOTH to the left and to the right. When there is a high water level, the river flows by only from left to right. The river has created an island across the channel to the left and Sycamore Park is on an island too.

Now the path goes over a footbridge, winds downstream over Bridge #2 off the island, and further downstream close to the river. The next bridge is #3, actually the first bridge by the HRLPC back in 1975. Still going downstream the trail opens under power lines, past tall Winterberry bushes and invasive Japanese Knotweed, and over several boardwalks. Then there is a tall flight of steps up onto a high plateau of mature forest, with a great view of the river and Interstate 84, which is out of sight and off to the right. Poison Ivy is growing here along much of the trail system, so be cautious of its 3 shiny leaves.

Shortly the trail divides, with the high trail straight ahead and the low trail, close to the river, down steps which may be slippery when wet or icy. This low trail floods in wet seasons. Spring Beauty flowers can be spotted here in April. Then the path crosses on a footbridge, the second built by the HRLPC, in 1983. Up a few steps, the high trail rejoins, and here Bloodroot's big white flowers are spotted in spring. To the left, going downstream, is a bench with another great river view, and the path winds out onto Middle Turnpike West.

On the pavement, the route goes left crossing the river -- NOT ACROSS THE STREET -- and heads for Cheney Technical High School, but turns left, around the red gate, and into the woods again. The trail here is grassy, being an access road for CL&P, and goes upstream and soon divides with the scenic river-side path on the left. Here you will see a cluster of Pine trees planted in memory of deceased HRLPC members. This scenic trail stays close to the river, while the straight-ahead path follows under the power lines through meadow and wetlands. These two paths eventually connect, and then it winds through the woods, over a few boardwalks, and between 2 small ponds.

Next, the trail goes up a small flight of steps and along a high and narrow ledge. Caution is needed here, and if icy in winter this tract should be avoided: a few hikers have slipped into the cold water here, but warmed up in their nearby vehicles. After this narrow path and 2 sets of steps, the terrain is flat out to the road. The East Catholic High School soccer field is on the right and our footbridge to an island path to nowhere is on the left. You will notice trees that have fallen into the river from flooding and also beaver-chewing damage to other trees here and there. Out on New State Road, the sidewalk goes to the left and leads over the river on New State Road and back to the starting point.