Marked trails at Rockledge Golf Club provide winter recreation options for West Hartford residents.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford’s Rockledge and Buena Vista golf courses are closed to golfers as of Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, but the courses are open to use for other purposes during the winter months.

The trails are open as of Dec. 4 for running, walking, hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. For the safety of all, no golfing is allowed while the courses are closed for the winter season, town officials said.

And while dogs are permitted, the same rules that apply to all schools and town parks year-round apply.

Dogs can be walked along the trails at Rockledge while the course is closed for the season, but should be kept on leash. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Guidelines for use of the Rocklege Golf Club in the winter months include:

• Park only in the Rockledge Golf Club parking lot off South Main Street.
• Trails are open from dawn to dusk every day.
• Trails start and end at the Pro Shop. Do not cut across greens to reach trails.
• Stay on the designated trails and avoid cutting through greens to avoid hazardous areas and prevent damage to the greens and tees.
• Bicycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, and motorized vehicles of any kind ARE NOT ALLOWED.
• Dogs must be leashed at all times and must be kept under control. “Please keep your dog from digging,” town officials added.
• Dog waste must be bagged and removed from the area.

There are three marked trails at Rockledge: yellow trail (0.6 mile), red trail (1.6 miles); and the blue trail (2.2 miles). All three trails start and end at the Golf Shop and are clearly marked with colored markers spaced 0.1 mile apart.

Rockledge winter trails. Courtesy image

While there are no marked trails, Buena Vista Golf Course is also open for winter walking, and golfing is not permitted while the course is closed. The following guidelines were provided by the town for the use of the Buena Vista Golf Course:

• Bicycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, and motorized vehicles ARE NOT ALLOWED.
• Dogs must be leashed at all times. Owners must have control over their dogs. Please keep your dog from digging.
• Dog waste must be bagged and removed from the area.

Buena Vista. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw (we-ha.com file photo)

Rockledge Golf Shop

Although the course is closed for golfers, the Rockledge Golf Shop is open during the month of December for holiday gift shopping – including gift certificates, gift cards, golf clubs, apparel, and more. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., through Tuesday, Dec. 23.

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