Quinimay Trail

What is the Quinimay Trail?

The Quinimay Trail extends from Westbrook to Higganum through the Cockaponset State Forest. Formerly called the Epic Trail in its infancy as a loose network of individual trails, it was officially recognized by the state of Connecticut in 2008. Look for the tan and green plastic multi-use markers placed above the colored trail blazes.

Are dogs, horses, bikes, etc. allowed on the Quinimay Trail?

The Quinimay Trail is a multi-purpose, passive-use trail which means that hikers, dog walkers, horseback riders and mountain bike enthusiasts are all welcome. Motorized vehicles of any kind are not allowed. The trail is monitored by a State Forest Ranger and members of the Connecticut Horse Council’s Volunteer Horse Patrol program. Kindly observe trail etiquette guidelines when encountering others on the trail.

Who maintains the Quinimay Trail?

The Quinimay Trail was conceived by members of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Horsemen’s Club (LCRHVC), in cooperation with the Connecticut Forest & Park Association and the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA). All of these groups continue to maintain and improve the trail along with LCRVHC’s sister organization, the Bridle Path Conservancy. We have built bridges, armored stream crossings and trails, rerouted trails flooded by beaver dams or eroded beyond usability, repaired trails damaged by “mudders” and ATV and dirt bike traffic, and educated other groups about how to share and maintain multi-use trails.

Fun Fact: Quinimay roughly means long path in the Pequot language.

Update and Future:
In 2013 LCRVHC/BPCs big National Trails Day project involved armoring a stream crossing on the Quinimay Trail north of Route 80, rerouting a section of soft trail that had been flooded by beaver activity, and creating some water diversion on a steep hill. We supplied the stone and labor, and DEEP supplied the geo-materials.

Future plans (or dreams) include creating a brochure about the Quinimay Trail with a map to be placed at the trailheads and on the DEP’s web site, someday perhaps establishing a horse camp at the old sand pit near the north end of the Quinimay Trail, extending the trail south (maybe to Long Island Sound?) and north (maybe to link up with the MMM Trail?) and of course, maintaining what is already there.

Butter Jones to Rt 80 Section Recorded                
Quinimay Trail Complete
Quinimay Trail Weber Woods Section
Quinimay Trail  Rt 80 to Pataconk Section Quinimay Trail Pataconk to Filley Rd Section
Quinimay Trail Hwy 9 to Hadam Section