Explore the best rated trails in Middlebury, VT, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Cross Vermont Trail and South Burlington Recreation Path . With more than 31 trails covering 348 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This trail is relatively new. The trail is in great condition with part of it covered with crushed stone and part covered with asphalt. It is pretty much flat with slight up and down grades. The bridges and railings are all in excellent condition. There are numerous parking areas with access to the trail. I started in Lake Placid and could not find any signage indicating where the trail started or where the parking was.
Island Line Rail Trail OR Burlington Path OR Greenway Island Line Trail OR Burlington Greenway OR Colchester Causeway. This trail was labeled with five different names along the path, but I'll just call it SENSATIONAL!
I rode this early in the morning on Friday the Thirteenth of October 2023, but I had nothing but great luck and a marvelous experience! I drove over 2,800 miles from SoCal for this adventure, and I had no rain, temps in the 50's, and the causeway practically all to myself!
This trail is truly deserving of its Hall of Fame status. It's in remarkable condition, and the picturesque views and fall colors make it a true all-star of trails!
Of course the star of the show is the three mile long Colchester Causeway extending across Lake Champlain. It is absolutely breathtaking, provides countless photo ops, and is something you will never forget!
But the trail is more than just the causeway. Ride the full thirteen miles from Oakledge Park in Burlington to take advantage of all the trail has to offer: gorgeous lake and marina views, charming neighborhoods and homes, bridges, art and sculpture installations, wildlife, a super long boardwalk over a marshy area, and of course the woodlands and its fall colors. The photo ops are infinite!
I've bicycled in 49 of our 50 states, and this trail is easily within my top five favorites! I wish I lived in the Burlington area so I could ride this SENSATIONAL trail every day!
What a great ride. Paved path across bridges and a very wide tree canopy at points. The best a hard pack gravel section when you ride out on a spit with Lake Champlain on either side of you. In season you can take a bike ferry from the end of the trail over to another trail to South Hero. It was closed when we were there just after Columbus Day weekend. We’ve done this trail twice and just love it.
I've always been a great fan of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail from it's very beginning when there was only 1.5 miles in St Johnsbury and now it's 93 miles long!
As I write this, because of flooding earlier this summer, about 21 miles of trail are closed as the VT AOT repair damage to the trail.
But this review is focused on the 20 miles of trail from Cambridge Junction that head north and west to Sheldon Junction. This has instantly become my favorite stretch of the LVRT, but it was a bit disappointing as far as trail surface.
The good stuff first, this whole stretch of trail shows off the rural side of Vermont, it's quiet, peaceful, and has easy undulations to elevation and absolutely beautiful scenery. I really enjoyed this ride.
About the halfway point the trail passes through the small village of East Fairfield, the day I rode through there was a welcoming food truck open just as you enter the village. There was also a convenience store down the road a short distance. East Fairfield is the only real stop for food or water, the trail does not pass through the Town of Fairfield as it turns north.
The one detraction from the ride on this portion is the trail surface. The trail surface from Route 109 in Cambridge all the way to Bridge St in Sheldon has much more loose gravel than other sections of the LVRT.
It requires a little bit more work to ride the surface mile after mile, and even a couple of times my front tire bogged down a bit where the gravel "bunched up".
It's not a game changer, but the surface is definitely different from other parts of the trail. Overall, as I said before, this is now my favorite trail section on the LVRT... it's so peaceful... I'll be riding it again soon!
just walked the D & H trail from granville center to middle granville. really enjoyed the walk out toward middle granville but on the way back while walking through the farm (which was a delightful experience on the first trip through, seeing calves and cows) but then were charged by two pitties which attacked my dog and knocked me down. Luckily I had an umbrella and was able to get up and get away and down the trail. the dogs followed for a while but then returned to the farm. Too bad because was a very enjoyable walk until this. I just hope these two dogs dont really hurt someone....
great place to start. plenty of free parking, restrooms, pickle ball & tennis courts avaible. ride to s. hero island is unique, heading into lake champlain on the way to s. hero island. island has restrooms. farms, resturants, & much more. toltal distance was apx. 20 miles. this includes a short bike ferry ride to complete the trip. locals were pleasant, helpful, & courteous. not too often you get to ride a bike onto a lake!
Epic trail. Green Mountains in one side Adirondack Mountains on the other. Lake Champlain in the middle and the bike trail. Includes a ferry ride.
Lots to see on an easy ride with plenty of cool places to stop and eat.
The W. Danville store and Joe's pond as well as many scenic views and parking. The whole trail is now completed except I'm worried about the rain and possible damage. So, I will call the shuttle service in St. J to find out about the access after the recent storm.
This is not your typical rail trail but a hilly narrow mountain bike trail. Lots of roots, ruts and mosquitos
What a great trail, and I'm so glad it's finished. We rode 23 miles round-trip yesterday east from Morrisville on the newly opened area and it was just beautiful. Today we rode west from Morrisville to Jeffersonville, also a beautiful ride. The only issue is that there are a few spots just west of Morrisville that are not in good shape; soft sand and/or large, loose gravel. Other than that a fabulous trail. One other thing....on a hot day, make sure to bring lots of water!
VTRANS missed the Memorial Day target for finishing Fisher bridge - it is still closed as of 6/4 - just like they missed their announced completion of 11/2022. Don't count on VTRANS.
The bridge still looks like it has several weeks to go before opening. They have closed the trail for about a mile. The only way around is to ride along Rt 15, which is a bit dicey.
Also, there used to be access to the rail trail from the Fisher bridge parking lot. VTRANS has eliminated that access. The only way to access the trail from the parking lot is to, yup you guessed it, to go on Rt 15 again to access the trail.
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