Length:                  Putnam River Trail; 1.5miles. 

                                Putnam River Trail Loop; 3.6 miles                             

Difficulty:             Easy. Paved, flat trail.

There are 3 parking lots located along Kennedy Drive; 

From I-395 northbound; Take exit 95 to Kennedy Drive and travel north. This will bring you to the southernmost parking lot first.

From I-395 southbound; Take exit 97 to Route 44 west to Kennedy Drive. Turn left and use any of the 3 parking lots located on your right along Kennedy drive. 

The Putnam River Trail was completed in 1998 as a part of the East Coast Greenway. It travels through the town of Putnam, following alongside the Quinebaug River. Five historic interpretive signs are located along the trail commemorating Putnam’s railroad history, textile mills, and founding citizens. The river’s natural resources and The Great Flood of 1955 are highlighted as well. For more information visit; PUTNAM RIVER TRAIL or EAST COAST GREENWAY .

Starting from the southernmost parking lot; The parking lot is located next to the Quinebaug River and a small park with picnic tables and a Porto-potty. 

Note; Heading south along the trail brings you to a pedestrian bridge over the river where the trail currently ends after less then a 1/4 mile. Up the hill is the old Airline Rail Trail that hopefully will someday get developed. The pedestrian bridge is built where an old railroad trestle used to cross the river before being wiped out by the Flood of 55. You can still see the stone abutments and the pedestrian bridge utilizes the old center abutment. 

Heading north between the river and Kennedy Drive you'll pass by two more parking lots before coming to the Route 44 Bridge at 0.6 miles. A cross-light takes you over to an overlook of Cargill Falls. The trail splits, right simply heading alongside the road, so head left along the river. This takes you past some monuments and an amphitheater in a small park. A cross-light takes you over Bridge Street at 0.9 miles. The paved trail turns into a wide sidewalk. After passing by some old mills you'll come to a tiny park and signboard at 1.3 miles where the trail ends.

Note; You may return the way you came or cross the river and loop back, which is what we did. Simply turn left down Providence Street utilizing the sidewalk and cross over the river. Turn left along Church St where you may ride on-road (low traffic) or utilize a narrow sidewalk. You'll come to the Putnam Sports Complex at 1.7 miles. Pick up the paved trail on your left and take it back to the river. Here you'll enjoy good views of a dam and waterfall. Follow the trail alongside the river to Bridge Street. You may cross over the bridge to rejoin the main trail or turn right up Bridge St back to Church St. On your right is the Putnam Court House and across the street is a beautiful stone church. Cross over Bridge St and travel along Church St. past the old Putnam High school, now Town Hall. Spot a magnificent Cooper Beach tree towering over the road. Head up a short, but steep hill where you'll be rewarded with great views of the river and town of Putnam. Head back downhill and you'll come to Route 44. Hang a left past the Cargill Mills, cross back over the river and rejoin the main trail at 2.2 miles. Turn right and return to the parking lot for a 3.1 mile loop (3.6 miles including the southern section over the pedestrian bridge)