Explore the best rated trails in Pownal, VT, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Spring Run Trail and Appel Way Trail . With more than 41 trails covering 692 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 portion of the Cheshire rail trail has almost no incline is completely straight and runs past a former major manufacturing complex, which is now vacant. Other sites include Keene police department and Keene ice and American house.
As of 6/3/25 this trail is still closed south of 11th street.
There is a detour indicated, which we tried to follow, but quickly lost track of.
Found another way to access the trail further south, only to realize that we'd gotten onto the part of the trail that was officially closed.
I'm sure this will warrant a higher rating once it has re-opened, but we were more than a bit disappointed today.
Rode the two sections of this beautiful trail today. From the parking spot in the middle of the Ware trail towards Gilbertville is a nice ride along the river. But a short one. Opposite the old factory the trail suddenly ends and there are handwritten signs "Stop, Don´t go further, Private property..." It would only take a few yards to reach the next road to travel on towards Gilbertville. No chance. Shame on you, property owners! (The trailmap shows a way through, but that might be an error?)
Okay, same way back and on to Route 32 past Gilbertville, where the next trailhead is waiting;-)
Smooth surface, well maintained and even good for kids bikes and flat all the way to Wheelwright. 3 nice old bridges. This is one is fully recommended! Absolutely worth it.
I rode the entire 24.7 mile southern portion of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail on a beautiful fall day. The HVRT offers everything you could want from a trail experience: a fully paved surface, mostly flat, beautiful scenery (especially in the Fall) and a perfect mid-point trailhead to grab a bite to eat.
I don't recall seeing any water fountains along the trail although the trailhead in Millerton offers many options for places to eat or resupply. The HVRT offers a myriad of scenery changes from farmland, quiet streams, distant hills to quaint towns. I have ridden many paved rail trails in the past and the HVRT is one of the best with almost no surface imperfections for the entire distance. There are many trailheads along the entire trail giving many distance options. All this adds up to a perfect trail in my opinion!
Map is 6 months out of date
Rode the full trail on a glorious October Saturday. the views were spectacular, peppered with fiery fall leaves. The trail is in incredibly good condition over the whole length. Such a lovely ride.
My wife and I are both injured(fortunately not serious) after both of us thrown off our bikes simultaneously on a small poorly surfaced wooden bridge just north of Keene NH. The wooden boards were uneven and some rotted causing our bikes to wedge in a step-off causing us both to fall off our bikes. The trail had several road crossings just outside of the town of Keene which are very dangerous. There are tiny stop sign markings on the trail and no large or blinking light warnings on the crossing roads which have poor visibility in both directions due to curving of the road. I would not recommend this trail for transient travelers trying a new RT on vacation. This is for locals only who know the trail well in my opinion.
Part of this trail is closed, my wife and I got about 2 miles or so in and there was a detour sign for the trail and we could not find where it picked up again. Road on the streets for a bit and then headed back to the truck, got about 5 miles in on the ride so not a total loss
We did this trail today. It is quite bumpy but the scenery more than makes up for that. It goes through beautiful forests with frequent views of the Connecticut River. Don’t pass it up if you are in the area.
This section (8/2024) is about 5 miles long. It goes through woodland and past leafy backyards, but it runs alongside the towers for a high-tension power line. Trees have been clear-cut about 25 feet on both sides of the trail, so there's no shade along this section. But the trail is wide, very straight, and smoothly paved. It has a few small ups and downs and crosses four or five quiet roads before it comes to a traffic signal at the intersection of Routes 126 and 27. Just beyond, the trail turns to crushed stone with a few sandy patches. There's a large supermarket and shopping center adjacent to the trail at that point.
Beautiful smooth ride. Recommend for anyone seeking a pleasurable experience.
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