My wife and I rode both sections of the D&H out and back in mid-August and enjoyed the beautiful Vermont scenery along this former rail line. For the southern section we started in the center of Granville, NY, using public parking where the trail crosses Main St. This starting point is farther north and much nicer than the end point depicted on the TrailLink map. The trail is easy to follow as you proceed south through Granville, over a new river bridge and past freight buildings, with a short detour on grass and a gravel road past a slate business and around a factory built over the former right-of-way. Regaining the rail bed after a half mile or so, the trail becomes a scenic tour through Vermont farmland toward West Pawlet. We highly recommend a stop at the Consider Bardwell Farm, marked with a small sign on the east side just before crossing Sawmill Rd., about two miles south of the village of West Pawlet. They have a small store with homemade cheeses and other treats and a working goat farm. The herd of young goats was very entertaining! The height of land is reached just north of the sweeping bend in West Rupert. The rest of the trail to the NY state line is pretty, through farmland and past the old Rupert depot.


The next day we rode the northern section, parking in the big lot at Castleton State College. We wanted to start at Route 4A near the Amtrak station and include the northernmost half mile, but there was no public place to park. If you look carefully you'll see the old wye on the left soon after starting the trail south from the college. The trail is a pleasant, easy to ride single or double-track grass/cinder path south to Poultney. In the village we found several small cafes as lunch options. Continuing south, the trail becomes overgrown with tall grass at the slate mine, then ends abruptly after a short piece on the mine access road. We had wanted to continue south to Granville, but the rail line was impassible past the state line so we turned around and rode back to Castleton.

I did both sections in August 2008. Very nice trail. The southern section is gradual uphill from West Pawlet to Rupert so starting from Rupert would be easier. The trail is slightly down hill from Rupert to a bit south of West Rupert at the state line. There is a dirt road over to the trail about a half mile above the NY border. There is a nice simming hole in the creek at the road and trail. Boith sections run along nice little creeks. The trail was flooded just north of Rupert, but it was easy to detour to the highway.

We set out yesterday to explore the trail in NY between these two town because we had heard conflicting reports about if you could bike this section. Heading north out of West Pawlet to almost Granville the trail is about the same condition as south for about 3 miles to the town of Granville. It opens into some industrial area there and you will have to turn left to Church st. and then right into downtown Granville. After you cross the river you will shortly reach a light in town and here you have to make a left down to the finished compacte stone section in Granville. A right turn takes you onto a 1/2 mile section of compacted stone. After you cross Rt.22 again it gets progressively more brushy and narrow and ends in a barn yard. You can go around the barn and cows to Rt.22 for a short distance but here it is so dense and the brush closed in not much fun riding and after Fox Road the old Row has been swoll up in corn fields till after Raceville. You can take a left to Rt.22 to Poultney or a right on Fox road and withing 100 yard a left on an unmarked tar road that follows the row on the east to raceville in about 2 1/2 miles. Out of Pultney the trail is nice for about 2 miles then starts to get grassy and unmowed. You could follow a farm road thru the fields between here and Rt. 22 but it is posted. This is in the middle of two slate rock quaries.

Surprises are in store for you when you near the Castleton State college playing fields walking north on the trail. Before you get to North Road on the left are two entrances to the cross country trails clearly marked with slate chips. They wind and meander through beautiful woodlands and swamp. All the trails circle around and loop together, there are little bridges and streams, a pond and even a deep hidden gorge with rushing water and a bridge over it to look down. My husband and I took the dog for a walk Mother's Day and after walking the lovely placid Rail to Trail ( for 12 years ) we discovered this maze of trails. Great fun!

Started about a mile from the NY line in West Rupert at the post office as it seemed to have the best parking and headed north just as the rain started. It was slightly up hill for about half the trip to west Pawlet. The surface was two tracks of cinders and dry until it really started to pour. We turned around in West Pawlet at a small store that was under renovation. It would have been nice to have a sandwich and soda here but the owners hope to re open next week. They nicely gave my friend a garbage bag to keep him warm for the return trip. We jumped off on the road for most of the return trip because of the water and heavy rail. I enjoyed the ride and saw a lot of birds in spite of the rain and will return to finish the north section soon. Trail surface is in good condition and most of this section was mowed not too long ago.

"May 2006: As a family of 5 (kids are 7, 5 & 2), new to the sport, and we found this trail enjoyable. My wife and I ride hybrids; one with a tag-a-long for the 5 yo. and one with a seat for the 2 yo while the 7 yo rides a 14"" Disney Princess special. We manage the trail surface well although the edges in spots can be loose and dangerous for young riders. We departed Poultney and headed toward Castleton. We only managed about 5 miles but the scenery and wild life were beautiful. Any ""birders"" should pack their glasses and guide. Although unprepared for this extra treat we were still able to identify a Black-throated Blue Warbler. We can't wait until this trail is developed a little more to connect with Granville, NY."

"A good place to start is along Route 315 just over the border from Salem/E. Greewich, NY; a small business in West Rupert allowed me to park close to the trail with a smile. The surface is coarse and rough rock, which is good for a mountain bike but (thank goodness!) not appropriate for the spandex race-biker.

The course is typical Vermont, lovely and bucolic; along the way, two dogs cme out to visit Buster (my Dalmatian constant companion). A wild afternoon torrent of rain didn't spoil; another kind business owner gave us a chair while the skies opened up. On the way back the skies cleared, ending a perfect walk. "

"Nice ride, straight as the eye can see. Quiet, peaceful setting. Perfect for families looking for a nice day out. "