Tunnel Along Major, Historic Connecticut Recreational Trail Gets Its Lights

BOLTON, CT — There once was just light at the ends of the tunnel in Bolton Notch.

Now, the whole thing is lit up.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Connecticut Department of Transportation Thursday officially commemorated the completed project to ad lighting inside the 400-foot tunnel along the Hop River State Park Trail within Bolton Notch State Park.

The project was designed to improve visibility for the many walkers, runners and cyclists who use the trail each day. The new lighting system will operate in coordination with daylight and park hours, "enhancing visibility for visitors while preserving the park’s natural character," officials said.

The project is part of a commitment to state parks and the Restore CT State Parks initiative, which strives to improve infrastructure inside the parks. so that they may be enjoyed for generations to come.

The Hop River State Park Trail is regarded as one of Connecticut’s most scenic and historic recreational corridors. It was also considered to be a safe haven for those who needed to venture out during the coronavirus pandemic.

"During those days of depression and anxiety, the ability to get out and enjoy the trail was one of the best remedies," State Rep. Steve Weir said.

The Hop River State Park Trail follows a former railroad corridor for more than 20 miles through the towns of Manchester, Vernon, Bolton, Coventry, Andover, and Columbia. The trail connects several of Connecticut's natural areas, including the Belding Wildlife Management Area in Vernon, the Town of Vernon’s Valley Falls Park, in addition to Bolton Notch.

State Rep. Jason Doucette, who lives near the trail in Manchester, said it was a recreational staple for him growing up.

"I've been here many times," he said.

So has state Rep, Tim Ackert, who said he once took the trail from Coventry to Windsor Locks with a group of veterans.

As it travels east toward Andover and Columbia, the trail winds through remote woodlands, open fields, and alongside the Hop River itself. The route showcases distinctive stonework, embankments, and historic rail infrastructure that together create a quiet, scenic, and historically rich experience for trail users.

According to the Connecticut Trail Census, which maintains a user counter adjacent to the tunnel, the site recorded more than 86,700 uses in 2024 — an average of 237 uses per day, with over 10,000

morning uses between August and October alone.

The Hop River State Park Trail is also part of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile bicycle and pedestrian route that links 15 states and 450 communities from Maine to Florida.