Montpelier & Wells River Trail:
Vermont
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Description:
The Montpelier & Wells River Trail occupies the former right-of-way of the old Montpelier & Wells River Railroad, which originally ran for 45 miles across northeast Vermont. Called the "Granite Train" for the materials it often carried from quarries in Barre, the railroad was built to link the Central Vermont Railway in Montpelier with the Boston & Maine Railroad at the Connecticut River. Both lines still operate—under new names—but the last Montpelier & Wells River train stopped on November 15, 1956.

Today, the Montpelier & Wells River Trail comprises three sections:

*1.8 miles between Wells River and Boltonville, a peaceful area of beaver ponds and scenic river views interlaced with a few more miles of hiking trail.

*18 miles through South Ryegate, Groton and Marshfield, a long journey connecting rural villages with state forest dotted with ponds. Snowmobiles are permitted in the winter and in the summer, outside of the state forest, portions of trail are open to registered, highway-legal vehicles.

*2 miles in Plainfield and East Montpelier along a quiet, wooded route.

The entire area supports a wide variety of wildlife, including black bear, moose, deer, grouse, mink, beaver, otter, fisher, loon and heron. You'll find additional hiking and fishing, the latter especially in Rickers Pond, Groton Lake and Kettle Pond (both warmwater and coldwater species are stocked). Popular hiking trails in Groton State Forest include Big Deer Mountain Trail, Owls Head Trail and Groton Nature Trail.

The Montpelier & Wells River Trail is part of the statewide Cross Vermont Trail.

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Parking & Trail Access:
Access the Montpelier and Wells River Trail from numerous trailhead parking areas, including Boltonville, on US 302 about 0.5 mile west of I-91 Exit 17; Ricker Pond, on SR 232, 1.6 miles north of the intersection with US 302; and at SR 14, about 0.8 mile south of the intersection with SR 2.

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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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More Cross Vt trail
By youker in December, 2008
The trail is actually officially open east from Ricker pond to the Town of Groton where there is parking by the old RR station and on to South Ryegate where you need to start using the road for a while untill the trail picks up again. See their maps on the web site. Youker
Montpelier to Wells River Trail
By Robert Youker in October, 2007
Not all of this trail is officially open but I have done all of it from Rt 14 to Wells River. It is a bit bumpy in places but is a great ride. Maps are available on their web site. Bob
Beautiful & Quiet
By Linda Everett in September, 2003
"I have ridden this trail many times and enjoy the fact it's mostly in quiet woods and not near roads. I've seen moose and other wildlife. The VT state campgrounds are very nice and offer easy access to the trail, especially Ricker Pond Campground. Kettle Pond is the ""high point"" on the trail.

Enjoy!"
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Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Boltonville Rd. at US 302 to US 302 nr. Old Farm Rd. (Wells River) to Lower Depot Rd. at Upper Depot Rd. (Marshfield) to US 302 nr. Creamery Rd. (S. Ryegate)
Counties: Caledonia, Orange, Washington
Trail Length: 21.8 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Gravel, Ballast, Dirt, Sand
Trail Activities: Fishing, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6031423

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Guidebook: Learn more about other New England rail-trails in RTC's New England Guidebook.
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