| count | avg | score | |
| this | 30 | 4.3 | 0 |
| subs | 0 | NAN | 0 |
| total | 30 | 4.3 | 4227 |
| listed | 208 | 0 | 3747 |
| articles | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTAL | 7974 | 0 | |
Level: Intermediate
Length: 25 mi (40.2 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +442/449 ft
Total: 144 riders
Mountain Biking Rockland Preserve
#2 of 111 mountain bike trails in Connecticut
#937 in the world
**Check below for the most recent updates**
Mostly singletrack with very few woods roads. The area is developed specifically for mountain bikers and has berms, log rides, and jumps/drop offs constructed by volunteers. The riding is mostly flowy XC with some technical sections mixed in and plenty of big hits off to the side for you free ride guys. New trails are under construction too!
UPDATE 5/2014: Dirt Church has been opened with another trail on the way. Also, a pump track has been constructed too!
UPDATE 9/2015: Permission was recently granted to add in another 2.5 miles of trail to connect the Renee's Way parking lot to Bambi on flat terrain. Along with the 2.5 mile beginner's trail, a more technical spur will be added off of the new trail for advanced riders.
UPDATE 1/2016: The new trails are open for riding, but be careful as there are lots of small roots and stumps that need to be cut down further. Although the trail is fresh and fairly soft I see a lot of potential in it.
UPDATE 5/2016: The new trails, Erratica and Beeline are running great. Both trails are still a little soft, but all of the features on Erratica make the loop a ton of fun. Skinnies and other obstacles are in no short supply; there is even a see-saw. And to top it all off, there is a super flowy jump line at the end of the trail with 8-10 jumps. I highly recommend trying this one!
Stay tuned for more updates
First added by nakos on Jun 8, 2014. Last updated May 7, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: yes
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: yes
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
On route 79 in Madison Ct, across from Samantha Ln. There is a dirt parking lot at the trailhead.
| ThankAwesome place for single track. Can't wait to go back.
| ThankPlace is ok. Some of the trails are overrun with beavers, big problem with flooding. Trees falling down there all the time too.
| ThankGreat trails, especially for the average rider and beginners. Needs more technical lines and more advanced jumps. Pump track is great. A dirt jump area would be awesome.
| ThankGreat spectrum of trail terrain. The place has potential.
| ThankGreat trails, very flowy. Needs more skinnies, more advanced features
| ThankToo busy, always closed, trails are all beginner.
| ThankI can see why Rockland is rated number 1 in CT, even though I prefer Cowles and Nassahegan(longer downhill sections). Well marked and a shout out to the generous volunteer staff that keep these trails very well maintained. East Loop, Dark Side and Dirt Church are as fun as it gets with some very well thought out construction(berms, switchies, skinnies, rollers, flows, rock gardens-just about everything.
| ThankLike the signs say, try not to ride after heavy rains. These trails have held up well after heavy use but would hate to see the kind of erosion we see at the West Hartford Reservior.
Makes me (almost) not even miss Colorado at 9000ft. Could be better marked.
I'd like to volunteer to clear the trails and to better mark them
| ThankCopy and paste the link below for an awesome highlight video from Rockland Preserve in Madison, Connecticut.
| ThankRockland has been on my list for some time and it was well worth the trip! With 25 miles of trails Rockland was built for mountain bikers, by mountain bikers. Most of the trails are flowy XC trails, but there are plenty of hucks, jumps, and berms throughout to keep any enduro junky satisfied for hours on end. If you are ever in Connecticut be sure to put this on your list! I post new videos from different spots in the Northeast every Monday, so be sure to subscribe for more! Link: https://youtu.be/dC73BMuLiHI
This is a great trail system. Everyone raves about it with good reason. Plenty of technical sections for those who like rocks, nice drops, berms, seesaws, bunny hops, etc. I'm not the biggest fan of super technical trail systems, but that's not why I gave Rockland a 4. Maybe I'm a little biased because Cowles has some really fast and long downhill sections, but I find Rockland to be more level. Sure there are some downhill sections, but imo Cowles has faster and longer dh sections.
| ThankThis is one of the first tails i have ever ridden very nostalgic.
| ThankHand down best biking in CT... Loaded with jumps, drops, berms and more!
| ThankI rode east loop, thunderdome, beyond thunderdome, dirt church and darkside...lots of fun! Trails themselves were in excellent condition however it's too bad the place is under assault by the Gypsy Moth...quite an alarming number of trees are being destroyed. One other notable mention is that the trail description here has a check mark for pump track, but that feature although planned, is not yet built.
| ThankCouldn't ask for more than this, trails for everybody. Well maintained, lots of wildlife to see, not too heavy on the climbing, very flowing a fun. Still haven't explored half of the place, there's so much to do here.
| ThankIt's a very technical trail. The trail has many fun features such as drops, jumps, berms, and river crossings! 10/10 would bike again
| ThankGreat place to ride, well maked, maintained, plenty of technical challenges and a fun place.
| ThankMy run was on the "East loop", I found it well maintained with plenty of trail signs. Excellent map at parking area. Really nice mix of trails to choose.
| ThankAwesome trail system, a lot of uphill but the uphills reward you with some very nice downhill sections. Plenty of obstacles, skinnies and drop off. Took the east side loop, thunder dome to beyond thunderdome back onto east side loop and was beat, about a 6 mile loop, but worth it. Want to try to get to the dark side on my next trip. Follow on starve @Rob Maldonado to see my loop. Enjoy Rockland
| ThankRoad dirt church and darkside today. Amazing trails. It would be helpful to have more markers/signage at crossings. Those unfamiliar can get confused.
| Thank