Norwalk River Valley Trail facts for kids
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Norwalk River Valley Trail
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| Location |
Norwalk, CT to Danbury, CT |
| Length | 0.7 miles (current) 27 miles (planned) |
| Trailheads | Union Street, Norwalk Crescent Street, Norwalk (current section) |
| Use | Hiking, biking, jogging, cross country skiing |
| Difficulty | Easy and level (currently). Partially handicapped accessible |
| Surface | Asphalt or wooded |
| Amenities | Benches, playground, tennis courts |
The Norwalk River Valley Trail (or NRVT for short) is a cool path that's still being built! It's a special kind of trail called a "multi-use" trail. This means you can use it for lots of fun activities like hiking, biking, jogging, and even cross-country skiing in the winter.
The big plan is for the NRVT to stretch about 27 miles (43 km) (that's about 43 kilometers!) from Norwalk, Connecticut, all the way up to Danbury, Connecticut. Along the way, it will pass through other towns like Redding, Ridgefield, and Wilton. The trail mostly follows the beautiful Norwalk River.
Right now, only a small part of the trail is finished in Norwalk. Each town the trail goes through helps manage its own section. The money to build the trail comes mostly from the state government, along with some helpful donations from people and groups.
Building the Trail
The idea for the Norwalk River Valley Trail started way back in 1995. People wanted a long path that would follow the Norwalk River. The goal is to connect many towns and give everyone a great place to be active outdoors.
The finished trail will be about 27 miles (43 km) long. It will start at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk and end in Danbury. The parts of the trail in Norwalk and Wilton are owned by the state of Connecticut. The people working on the trail hope to get donations of money and even land to help build it. They might also need to buy some land to make the trail complete. The Norwalk River Valley Trail committee has asked for a special grant from the state to help pay for the first parts of the trail. They hope to finish the entire trail within the next five years!
What's Open Now?
The part of the trail that is finished right now is in Norwalk. It's a short section, about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) long. This paved path is great for a walk or bike ride. As you travel along this section, you'll go through a park, pass a playground, and even see a historical museum. There's a parking lot available at the start of this section, which is called the southern trailhead.
