Length:                  Rockville Spur; 4 miles                               

Difficulty:             Easy. This old rail trail is flat and consists of stone dust.

To start from the Church street parking lot; Take exit 65 off of I-84 in Vernon to Route 30. From the westbound exit take Route 30 west and from the eastbound exit take Route 30 east. Cross over the interstate via the Dobson Bridge which turns into Washington Street. Immediately after crossing the bike path, turn left onto Church Street. The parking lot will be a little ways down on your left. There is a map board here along with a small gazebo and picnic table.

To start from Vernon Commons; Take exit 65 off of I-84 in Vernon to Route 30. Head east on Route 30 and take a right into the Vernon Commons Plaza and park. The trail starts just east of the parking lot where it crosses Route 30.

To start in Rockville: Take Route 74 to Rockville Center (Rockville Hospital area). Take West Main Street, which is on the east side of Rockville Hospital, to the intersection of Vernon Ave. There is a dirt parking lot here. From the parking lot head up Vernon Ave. via a sidewalk, past Linden Place and look for a small dirt path on the right. This path is opposite a set of railroad tie stairs that lead up the opposite side of the road. This is the old railroad embankment. The path leads you up to the rail trail.

Starting from the Church Street parking lot; The 0 mile marker begins from here and continues in both directions with a wooden post every 1/4 mile. Heading right (east) down the Valley Falls Rail Trail ( See Valley Falls Rail Trail Letterbox ) takes you to the Rockville Spur junction. Left (west) takes you into the Manchester industrial park less then 2 1/2 miles away. Heading West, you cross over Washington Street after only a 1/4 mile. You then come to some old railroad ties still in place (possibly an old railroad siding) along the right side of the trail. You cross a gas line at 0.6 miles and after 1 1/2 miles you cross Taylor Street where the trail narrows and ends at the Manchester Town Line just shy of 1 3/4 miles. You can continue along the narrow and a bit rougher trail into Manchester where you'll come to the industrial park after 2 1/4 miles. Note the old railroad tracks running along the trail. The trail ends at Colonial Road ahead where you could park to begin the trail. Heading East, just up the trail is a red signpost (these were supposed to contain history blurbs, but never completed) overlooking some picnic tables and an old round stone foundation. You cross Phoenix Street after only a tenth of a mile. The Rockville Spur Trail heads north from here by turning left on Phoenix Street, then right down Warren Ave. where the trail then crosses the road and heads up a short hill. Just past the 1/2 mile post will be an old railroad bridge overlooking Tanker Hoosen Lake. You then travel underneath I-84 and come to Route 30 just short of a mile. The Vernon Commons Plaza parking lot is located here to your left. Be careful crossing this busy road as there is a crosswalk, but no light. The trail travels between backyards under a heavily shaded canopy. You'll cross over two more roads before the trail then passes through a small valley. You cross under some transmission lines a little over 3 miles and come to West Street just shy of 3 1/2 miles. The next section has been completed, but stone-dust has not been added. The trail is hard packed sand and very rideable. You come alongside Nye Street where the trail heads up along a berm. You then dip down to cross over Spring Street and head back up a short embankment where the trail now runs alongside a heavily wooded hillside, with some nice views below of the old mill buildings. The trail ends abruptly after 4 miles. If you look down to your right you'll see where a brook crosses underneath the trail and emerges on the left via a stone conduit. There is a small path to your left that will take you down to Vernon Ave. in Rockville. A parking area is located to the left at the end of this road.