Length:                  Quinnebaug River Trail; 3 miles

                                 Downtown Loop; 1.3 miles                                

Difficulty:              Easy. Paved, relatively flat trail. 

To start from the Water Street parking lot; Take exit 91 off of I-395 to Route 6 west. After passing underneath the Providence & Worcester Railroad bridge, take a right at the first stoplight along Dyer St, then a left onto Franklin St which turns into Water St. The parking lot is on your left.

To start from Route 12 ball fields;  Take exit 91 off of I-395 to Route 6 west. After passing underneath the Providence & Worcester Railroad bridge, take a left at the first stoplight along Route 12. Take your first right past the Killingly Water Treatment Plant and park near the ball fields. The trail runs alongside the river.

Starting from the Water Street parking lot; Head south from the parking lot to a cross-light over Route 6. This brings you to the trail. Head right to an overlook of an old canal, then left back along the trail. There are several granite overlooks of the Quinnebaug River located far below, however, they are mostly overgrown and afford little views. There are benches and picnic tables along this section of the trail. After a 1/2 mile the paved trail follows a sidewalk downhill briefly along Route 12. Turn right to rejoin the paved trail as it passes by the Killingly Water Treatment Plant and brings you alongside the river. Be sure to hold your nose. You'll pass by the Route 12 ball fields and a canoe launch. The trail heads into the woods and passes a gigantic Sycamore tree at 1 mile. Cross over an iron rail bridge and admire the nice cedar rail fencing along the trail. At 1.8 miles your high above the river as you pass a cement retaining wall. Cross over Quinnebaug Drive at 2 1/4 miles. Some type of construction along the right (parking lot? park?). Travel along a short berm (this is reminiscent of a rail trail) and the trail currently ends after 3 miles.

Note; You can extend your ride by exploring more of Killingly along the Downtown Loop. Head north up Water Street from the Water Street parking lot to Main St and turn right. A sidewalk is available. This takes you through a small downtown and over the active railroad tracks at a 1/4 mile. look right to spot a bike shop located in the old train station. There are places to grab a bite to eat here as well. Continue along Main St past a small park and the Town Hall and you'll come to Davis Park, the Town Green. Memorials, benches and a gazebo at a 1/2 mile are located here. From the gazebo, head east to Broad St and follow it right. You'll pass an old stone church, big Victorian homes and the old Killingly High school, now a community center. Take your next right down Cottage St (residential), travel underneath the active rail line and you'll return to water St. Hang a left to return to the parking lot after a short 1.3 mile loop.