The best traffic-free bike rides in Sunny Brook State Park

While Sunny Brook State Park is a beautiful area for hiking and other outdoor activities, its internal trails are primarily designated for foot travel. The no-traffic road cycling routes featured in this guide are located in the scenic areas surrounding the park, offering quiet roads and beautiful landscapes for cyclists.

The routes in this area, such as the Wilcox Pond loop from Goshen, typically feature mixed hardwood forests, rolling hills, and scenic views of ponds and rivers. You can expect varied terrain with some climbs, as all routes are rated as moderate difficulty.

This guide features a selection of three moderate no-traffic road cycling routes in the vicinity of Sunny Brook State Park, perfect for exploring the quiet roads of the Connecticut landscape.

The routes vary in length, generally ranging from approximately 26 kilometers (16 miles) to 46 kilometers (28 miles). Elevation gains are moderate, typically between 360 and 500 meters (1,180 to 1,640 feet), offering a good workout without extreme climbs. For example, the Hurlbut Pond – Rugg Brook Reservoir loop from Winsted covers about 35 kilometers with nearly 500 meters of elevation gain.

The komoot community rates the road cycling experience in this region highly, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Cyclists often praise the tranquil atmosphere, scenic views, and the opportunity to ride on quiet, low-traffic roads.

Yes, all the routes listed in this guide are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Milton Hill loop from Goshen and the Bantam Swamp loop from Goshen.

Since the routes often start from towns like Goshen or Winsted, you can typically find parking in these areas. It's advisable to check local parking regulations and availability before your ride. While Sunny Brook State Park itself has parking, remember the cycling routes are in the surrounding areas.

While the routes focus on the scenic roads, the surrounding region is rich in natural beauty. You'll pass by various ponds, wetlands, and through mixed hardwood forests. Sunny Brook State Park itself is known for its East Branch Naugatuck River and even some waterfalls, which you could explore on foot before or after your ride. For more details on the park's features, you can consult the official park map.

The region offers beautiful cycling conditions through spring, summer, and fall. Autumn is particularly scenic with the changing foliage. While winter cycling is possible, be prepared for colder temperatures and potential snow or ice, especially on less-trafficked roads.

All routes in this guide are rated as moderate difficulty, which means they include some climbs and longer distances. They are generally more suitable for experienced cyclists or families with older, more capable children who are comfortable with these distances and elevation changes on public roads with minimal traffic.