West Hartford Reservoir

Not sure how to rate the section I was on, but it did have some technical sections not just obstacles. I great nonetheless.

The Reservoir is great the trails can fit all levels
from expert to beginner there is a lot of hills but is
usually rewarded with long flow downhills

Great mix of trails ranging from intermediate to advanced. Plenty of tough hills to climb which makes for some long downhill singletracks. A few ramps and skinnys but mostly natural burms and rough terrain to challenge you on the steep sections.

Stay on the blue trail (Metacomet) and you will not get lost but expect to see lots of jumps, drops, and techical features.

I've been riding here about 20 years. I'm considered a local, and exploring the Rez through the years I have found some really good stuff to ride. Must climb to start from RT 4 parking. Pass Kilkenny Rock on top and look for a few ST to get you beyond the power lines. Much of the STs are old and not maintained-so lots of rocks, roots etc...but that's part of the charm here. Trails are not marked well, no decent map. Best way to experience the Rez is to get lost, knowing the area is bordered by Rt 4 WH, Old Mountain Rd Farmington, Deer Cliff Rd Avon, RT 44 WH, Mountain Rd WH. Power lines run north to south and I have always used them to orient myself when looking to get home before dinner! The Rez has always been underrated, particularly fun for the afterwork Ride in the Hartford area.

I have that map downloaded on my phone, I find it to be very helpful for navigating the more obscure trails at the res.

This trail is is beautiful. The Rez has great xc, enduro shit, and even some great downhill that will challenge anyone. When you get to the top of the rez there is some tech XC riding, some good sized drops, but there can be a rough fire road climb to the top. On the way down there are some great jumps including a 8 foot boner jump, and a huge 10-15 foot step down. The blue trail AKA metacomet downhill part is amazing and any rider can ride it but there is endless speed you can ride it with. once down the blue trail, you can enter the playground. This is a great area to improve jumping skills, but the first jump is high risk and low reward. I have done it many times but but a couple times have gone wrong. When you get back into the paved road area off of canal road there are some smaller trails that are just great for and person with any amount of experience. I have been riding the Rez for 3 years now and there is a reason I do not leave that much. I ride a trail hard tail, my friend rides and 160mm enduro bike, and one of my other friends even rides a Santa Cruz V10 and just sessions the downhills. Anyone can ride this place and have a ton of fun...Hope to see you out there

Fun place to ride if you live locally...I can bike to the trail in about ten minutes, so I find myself here often. With that being said, it's not a place I'd drive more than 15-20 minutes to ride at. The trails seem like they aren't really maintained, no trail markers, and the riding lacks a lot of technical features or drops. Don't get me wrong--the Res is fun, there are just much better places to ride in the greater Hartford area

An interesting place to ride. Would benefit from markers and well designed trail map, but worth exploring if you have time.

I have to echo the others and say there is a LOT here, if you get to know the place. There are few signs, and few maps. But a lot of trails of almost every level. From asphalt, to gravel roads, to dirt roads, double track, single track. Large sections are easy and perfect for beginners, or fitness training. But there are also some sections that are black diamond expert, if you know where to look.

If you aren't sure where to go, stick to the main trails, and don't wander too far off. Take a GPS or good app. Or go with someone who has been there before.

One final thing. Singletracks has this park having 10 miles of trails. That can't be right, especially if you consider all the side trails. The true number could be triple this.

For an in-town loop, hard to beat "The Res." It's like a little playground. Not a destination by an means, but folks in Hartford should be thankful they have this. Nothing beats and after work loop through The Res

Your experience in WH is proportional to how much you like to explore/get lost. This is a pretty big area, and you get to choose your own adventure. You can ride the asphalt loop, some fire roads, or pretty cool single track. Additionally, this is the type of place where you climb once and then dissent, save for a couple of short misc short climbs.

I park at the main lot in West Hartford, and then follow the fence up to the power lines. This is a pretty good climb, right off the bat. Make sure you're in good shape. Then I simply pick one of the single track trails by the power lines and ride. The blue trail, Metacomet, is a nice one. You rarely find people here. There are some skinny, and drops. Nice time. If you follow the blue trail you'll take a nice rocky descent (watch that tire psi) to a fireroad. If you cross it, there is a short and very steep climb (read: hike a bike for most) and then it leads you to several fun drops. You are now the furthest away from you car. From here, once you reach a trail crossing, you can go straight or turn right. If you go straight, the trail is pretty rought, and then you cross a bridge to the flood levy. This is cool as there is a little skills park over there. If you turn right instead, there is a cool ST/DT that will lead you to another levy. From there, it's again pick your own adventure back to the car. There is so many trails to pick from.

If it's your first time to WH, make sure you have plenty of time. The place is fun, but it'll take a while to find all of the gems.

Lots of variety: ST, DT, Fire Roads, & paved paths along with some features spread out. Not very well marked, so be sure to study maps/routes & landmarks...I've been riding here for a few years now with a "local". We still get "lost" & not always certain of where we are. Nice ST "loop" which circles outer perimeter of reservoirs (approx 10 miles)... Best/more demanding trails west of the powerline. Lots & lots of trails to explore...Provide for extra time to explore & get lost.

Great place for all abilities. But beware that they have lots of rules. As I got chased and chastised with the threat of arrest for not wearing a helmet cycling.

There is great riding here at the reservoir and some of the reviews lead me to believe they missed some of the best stuff. You can run a 10 mile loop from and back to the main lot riding mostly singletrack. You'll climb at the bile inning but then you will be rewarded with a bunch of different options. Some cool man made stuff too. Wildlife is always a treat. Last week I had 2 deer about 20 feet away and last year a bear caused a detour. Ask a local for a route to be sure you will have fun.

mostly flat, some runners/walkers as you get to base, but a fun ride

Pretty good singletrack to be found if you go a few times and explore, not a lot is marked and a lot is budding off of other unmarked singletrack so some is hard to find but when you do it is definitely fun

mix of paved, fire roads, and some singletrack. Not a bad place to bring a beginner. More hills than would be expected.

A pretty extensive network of Single track, double track, and paved path. There is quite a bit of hidden stuff so you have to look around and not be afraid of exploring. Do some research and find what people can give you for helpful advice.