Explore the best rated trails in Barre, VT, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Presidential Rail Trail and Island Line Trail . With more than 39 trails covering 443 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.
We parked along Jeffers Hill Rd at the west end of the trail in East Haverhill. We rode about 0.25 miles east and came to a gate completely across the trail with "Road Closed" signs. We returned to the car, drove east along Route 25, and parked in the grass where the trail crosses the highway near the Oliverian School (not official parking, but there weren't any "No Parking" signs). We rode back towards the gate and were able to ride up to it without seeing any road closed sign. Perhaps the gate is to prevent ATV's from riding onto the Oliverian School property. We then retraced our route back to the car.
We continued on the rail trail, now heading east again. Not too far after we crossed the power line corridor, the trail was washed out where the grade steepens. We walked our bikes maybe 70 yards until we got to the concrete barriers in a rock cut. Even though it's been dry, there was a puddle in front of the barrier. There was one spot that we could use to get across to the barrier and lift the bikes over. The following 20 or 30 yards had several trees down across the trail.
The next section was pleasant to ride, although overgrown in places. We dropped down off the trail near Oliverian Pond, rode up Route 25, then climbed back up onto the trail. We continued on another mile or so to the AT crossing. This was our endpoint as we had ridden the section up from Warren previously. It did not look like ATVs used any of the trail we rode on.
We decided that riding the trail in one direction was enough of an adventure for the day and rode Route 25 back to the car instead. It was an easy mostly downhill ride.
We are two seniors riding gravel bikes with 47mm tires.
Takes you to all the stops in franconia notch. Holly and a fair amount of effort to ride. Especially northbound.
The surface is very variable. It ranges from packed hard cinder to rocky left from railroad days and pot holes. In some instances the ATV traffic has take its toll. If you are prepared for some rough surfaces, the route is very nice with some scenery of the river and mountains. I rode the XNHAT so the availability of services in Bath, Especially Lisbon and Littleton were appreciated. There needs to be an infusion of money to get the trail to meet the rail trail standard set by other rail trails across the country T
I was involved with the development of this trail so my review is somewhat biased. The eastern half in Merrimack County (Danbury to Boscawen) is in beautiful shape (due to federal financing) with a nice stone dust surface. The western half (Grafton to Lebanon) is much more scenic but was done mostly by volunteers with some local funding so has a highly variable surface, great in areas and poor in others.
Highlights include the trail in Lebanon as it crisscrosses the Mascoma River, in Enfield where it runs several miles alongside Lake Mascoma and downtown, and all of Merrimack County thanks to its trail surface.
I dearly wanted to give it a 5-star rating but had to admit that it was a bit of a slog going through the central (and high point) towns of Grafton and Orange. Wish the state of New Hampshire would put some resources into this trail, which would truly make it a premiere destination and top-rated trail.
The Tri-Haul Trail has a big pile of large rocks about 15 feet long at each end. Had to walk our bikes through that. The middle of the trail has large white gravel that is doable if you have wide tires. The Bay Trail was fine and the rest of the Tri-Haul Trail was fine.
Top trail for us in our travels so far. Diversity of scenery, activity, and terrain complete this adventure. We started and finished at a midway point, Leddy Park, to avoid potential congestion on the Burlington side, proved to be a good strategy. The Causeway is unique, not too often do you encounter a bike ferry. This is a destination ride to be sure.
This trail has two very different parts, and you should choose carefully or you'll be disappointed. Many of the reviews here are for horse riding, including in winter, which requires very different conditions than biking. We biked in summer starting from Jefferson on Mountain Bikes (a trail/hybrid would work as well but not a road bike.)
First part: Jefferson - Gorham: gorgeous, well maintained, nothing but cyclists and some fishermen and hikers. The trail is well marked, well maintained and a real joy. It is varied, going through forests or near/over streams, with many opportunities to freshen up in a swimming hole. 5 stars.
Second part: Goram - Berlin: awful for biking. This is a road, not a trail, with ATVs buzzing up and down on it, covering you in dust, tearing the trail and making the ride very unpleasant, with paddles, cracks and bumps. Except for the occasional excitement of fearing for your life, there's not much there. You'll be biking next to a wide river with no swimming access. 1 star.
We started from Echo Lake parking lot, first going north all the way - not that interesting, and pretty steep. Then went south all the way to the end of the trail - much more fun. On the way back you'll have a lot of climbing, but it's pretty moderate and there are plenty of nice stops along the way. For a perfect ending, finish at the lake!
A group of biking friends and I biked the length of the LVRT from Swanton to Saint Johnsbury (June 29-July 1, 2026). We had been hoping to ride the trail for the past several years but put it off due to the severe damage to it from several years of flooding rains. The LVRT experience was well worth the wait. The trail was in great shape. The scenery was spectacular and the communities along the trail seem to fully embrace the trail and the riders it attracts. There are quality lodging and eating options within a few miles of the trail. Organizations like the Lamoille Valley Bike Tours and Vermont's various governmental agencies have done themselves proud in creating, maintaining and promoting this trail. Even the black flies and mosquitos seemed to encourage riders by ignoring us.
My friends and I have ridden quite a few trails over the past 20 years in both Europe and the US and this little 100 mile gem ranks right up there with the best. Thank you to all the private and public individuals and agencies who made this trail a reality. And, a special acknowledgement of the many property abutters who may have been skeptical when this trail was just a proposal but seem to wholeheartedly seem to support the LVRT now!
My wife and I rode this trail between the Echo all the way to the ferry and back, and we would have ridden the ferry if we didn't need to get back to return our bikes to the rental shop. Clear skies, temperatures in the low 80s, and we had a great time, even forgetting that we were lacking sleep after issues with flights. We hope to try it again some day when we wont feel so rushed.
There is a new trailhead with parking for about 20 cars near the west end of the trail (Swanton end) where the trail crosses Robin Hood Dr. better option than the Park & Ride a few blocks away which has fewer parking spots and several trailers stored in the lot.
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