Find the top rated trails in Swanton, whether you're looking an easy walking path or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Colchester Bayside to Village Path runs for nearly 4 miles along the southeast tip of Malletts Bay near Colchester Village. The path links the Malletts Bay Campground on the west end with...
The South Burlington Rec Path actually forms a network of paved paths through the city. From urban landscapes to countryside views, the paths offer a variety for commuters and recreationists alike....
The Williston Bike Paths provide off-road routes throughout the village for linking schools, neighborhoods, parks and some shopping. The various segments themselves are not linked to one another but...
The Stowe Recreation Path meanders along West Branch River, past beautiful farms and through some wooded sections. The trail crosses the creek at 10 different places along the route. There are benches...
The Route 127 Path parallels State Route 127 between Ethan Allen Park and Manhattan Drive in Burlington's Old North End. The path links suburbs and parks, and passes by the Ethan Allen Homestead,...
Nestled in the remote, lake-filled region of northwestern Vermontjust a few miles from the Canadian borderis the short and easy-to-overlook Alburg Recreational Rail-Trail. But you won't want to...
The Essex Bike Paths comprise two segments on the northeast side of Essex Junction Village, forming a spiderweb of paved routes throughout neighborhoods and a shopping mall near the intersection of...
One of New England's most visited and spectacular rail-trails, the Island Line Trail (formerly known as the Burlington Bikeway) skirts the waterfront in the hip college town of Burlington, strings...
The Riverside Avenue Bike Path parallels Riverside Avenue (on the north side) between Winooski Avenue and Mill Street at Colchester Avenue bridge. The path provides an off-road route for those wanting...
Niquette Bay State Park has a series of trails, most of which are open to foot traffic and cross-country skiers only. Bikes are allowed on the Allen Trail, which runs between the parking area and the...
This multi-use community trail is a hit with locals, and it appeals to visitors—especially those with a yen for military history. Plattsburgh, New York, has figured in this country's war history from...
The Marshall Avenue Bike Path provides a nice nonmotorized route for linking neighborhoods with shopping in the Burlington suburb of Williston. The trail runs between Maple Tree Place and S. Brownell...
Ethan Allen Park has more than 4 miles of woodland trails, making nested loops around the scenic park and offering views of the Green Mountains. The Adirondacks and Lake Champlain are visible from a...
Nestled in the remote, lake-filled region of northwestern Vermontjust a few miles from the Canadian borderis the short and easy-to-overlook Alburg Recreational Rail-Trail. But you won't want to...
The main Shelburne Bay Rec Path runs for a little more than a mile between the parking lot on Bay Road and the Lake Champlain Yacht Club. Additional paths lead through the woods to the lake (Allen...
The Cross Vermont Trail (CVT) is a statewide route that links a number of Vermont trails and includes on-road sections. As of January 2016, 87 miles of trail are built and scattered across the state....
The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is a growing trail network across northern Vermont that will one day stretch 93 miles between St. Johnsbury and Swanton. When finished, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail,...
Ethan Allen Park has more than 4 miles of woodland trails, making nested loops around the scenic park and offering views of the Green Mountains. The Adirondacks and Lake Champlain are visible from a...
This multi-use community trail is a hit with locals, and it appeals to visitors—especially those with a yen for military history. Plattsburgh, New York, has figured in this country's war history from...
The Marshall Avenue Bike Path provides a nice nonmotorized route for linking neighborhoods with shopping in the Burlington suburb of Williston. The trail runs between Maple Tree Place and S. Brownell...
Although only a mile, the Swanton Recreation Path, completed in 2009, offers a scenic gravel pathway that includes a connection to the Swanton History Museum (a rehabilitated train station) and...
The Intervale Trail in Burlington makes for a nice urban refuge from the city bustle. The trail traverses the bottomlands along the Winooski River through a farmland cooperative (the Intervale...
The Beebe Spur is a scenic 4-mile rail-trail running from northern Vermont’s Newport towards the Canadian border. It follows Lake Memphremagog for most of the way, offering outstanding views of the...
Niquette Bay State Park has a series of trails, most of which are open to foot traffic and cross-country skiers only. Bikes are allowed on the Allen Trail, which runs between the parking area and the...
The Williston Bike Paths provide off-road routes throughout the village for linking schools, neighborhoods, parks and some shopping. The various segments themselves are not linked to one another but...
The Riverside Avenue Bike Path parallels Riverside Avenue (on the north side) between Winooski Avenue and Mill Street at Colchester Avenue bridge. The path provides an off-road route for those wanting...
The Colchester Bayside to Village Path runs for nearly 4 miles along the southeast tip of Malletts Bay near Colchester Village. The path links the Malletts Bay Campground on the west end with...
Winding northeast from St. Albans to Richford, just south of the Vermont–Québec border, the Missisquoi Valley Rail-Trail affords visitors direct access to northwest Vermont dairy country. In winter,...
The South Burlington Rec Path actually forms a network of paved paths through the city. From urban landscapes to countryside views, the paths offer a variety for commuters and recreationists alike....
Though just under a mile, the Johnnie Brook Road Trail is an important link in the much-longer Cross Vermont Trail system, linking Richmond and Williston. To make that connection, you must use the...
The Allen Point Access Area Trail provides a scenic route for accessing Lake Champlain in South Hero. The flat trail occupies part of the former corridor of the Rutland Railroad Island Line. The line...
The Essex Bike Paths comprise two segments on the northeast side of Essex Junction Village, forming a spiderweb of paved routes throughout neighborhoods and a shopping mall near the intersection of...
The Arms Park Trails are a network of woodland paths in the park behind Burlington High School and the surrounding properties of Rock Point School and Vermont's Episcopal Diocese offices. Some of the...
Winding northeast from St. Albans to Richford, just south of the Vermont–Québec border, the Missisquoi Valley Rail-Trail affords visitors direct access to northwest Vermont dairy country. In winter,...
The Cross Vermont Trail (CVT) is a statewide route that links a number of Vermont trails and includes on-road sections. As of January 2016, 87 miles of trail are built and scattered across the state....
The Riverside Avenue Bike Path parallels Riverside Avenue (on the north side) between Winooski Avenue and Mill Street at Colchester Avenue bridge. The path provides an off-road route for those wanting...
The Williston Bike Paths provide off-road routes throughout the village for linking schools, neighborhoods, parks and some shopping. The various segments themselves are not linked to one another but...
Niquette Bay State Park has a series of trails, most of which are open to foot traffic and cross-country skiers only. Bikes are allowed on the Allen Trail, which runs between the parking area and the...
Cambridge Greenway hugs the Lamoille River through the village of Jeffersonville in northern Vermont, about 30 miles northeast of Burlington. It is a four-season trail, popular with cross-country...
The Essex Bike Paths comprise two segments on the northeast side of Essex Junction Village, forming a spiderweb of paved routes throughout neighborhoods and a shopping mall near the intersection of...
The Airport Park Trail on Malletts Bay near Colchester traverses through Airport Park, making a loop around ball fields, a playground, tennis courts and open fields. Woodlands and nearby wetlands make...
The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is a growing trail network across northern Vermont that will one day stretch 93 miles between St. Johnsbury and Swanton. When finished, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail,...
The Arms Park Trails are a network of woodland paths in the park behind Burlington High School and the surrounding properties of Rock Point School and Vermont's Episcopal Diocese offices. Some of the...
The Route 127 Path parallels State Route 127 between Ethan Allen Park and Manhattan Drive in Burlington's Old North End. The path links suburbs and parks, and passes by the Ethan Allen Homestead,...
The South Burlington Rec Path actually forms a network of paved paths through the city. From urban landscapes to countryside views, the paths offer a variety for commuters and recreationists alike....
The Marshall Avenue Bike Path provides a nice nonmotorized route for linking neighborhoods with shopping in the Burlington suburb of Williston. The trail runs between Maple Tree Place and S. Brownell...
This multi-use community trail is a hit with locals, and it appeals to visitors—especially those with a yen for military history. Plattsburgh, New York, has figured in this country's war history from...
Although only a mile, the Swanton Recreation Path, completed in 2009, offers a scenic gravel pathway that includes a connection to the Swanton History Museum (a rehabilitated train station) and...
The main Shelburne Bay Rec Path runs for a little more than a mile between the parking lot on Bay Road and the Lake Champlain Yacht Club. Additional paths lead through the woods to the lake (Allen...
One of New England's most visited and spectacular rail-trails, the Island Line Trail (formerly known as the Burlington Bikeway) skirts the waterfront in the hip college town of Burlington, strings...
The Colchester Bayside to Village Path runs for nearly 4 miles along the southeast tip of Malletts Bay near Colchester Village. The path links the Malletts Bay Campground on the west end with...
The Stowe Recreation Path meanders along West Branch River, past beautiful farms and through some wooded sections. The trail crosses the creek at 10 different places along the route. There are benches...
The Beebe Spur is a scenic 4-mile rail-trail running from northern Vermont’s Newport towards the Canadian border. It follows Lake Memphremagog for most of the way, offering outstanding views of the...
I love this bike trail. It is a great resource for commuting and recreation in Colchester and Burlington. I want to share some updates on the construction. Burlington Parks & Recreation continues work on their major renovation project for this trail. The section that was done in Phase 1 is awesome. The paved 11' wide path is flanked on either side by 2' of aggregate material for runners.
Phase 2 is well under way. Paving starts September 12. Since June, there has been a detour along North Ave to bypass the section from Shore Road to North Ave Extension. The detour will be in a different section starting mid-September.
https://enjoyburlington.com/burlington-greenway-phase-2/
Updated Project Schedule:
Early Sept: Intersection reconstruction phase 2a
Mid Sept: Paving from Shore Rd. to Winooski River Bridge
Late Sept: Set up detour for Phase 2b (North Beach Campground to Shore Rd.)
Early Oct: Phase 2a (Northern section from Shore Road to Winooski River Bridge) OPENS, Phase 2b CLOSES (southern section from North Beach to Shore Road)
Mid Nov: Paving Phase 2b
Coming from the causeway - North Ave at the water treatment plant. Have to ride on North Ave for a couple of miles - either on road or sidewalk. Plenty of signs letting you know where to go.
Well used rail trail - a lot of walkers down by the skate park and waterfront park.
The construction mentioned in previous reviews is now complete.
My wife and I went from St. J to West Danville and back, using most of a somewhat cool late June afternoon/early evening to do so.
For nature, the many bedrock cuts are now beautiful niches, typically with an abundance of ferns. The wetlands, however, at the West Danville terminal were the highlight of the trip. Look for the "swamp camp".
A reviewer expressed concern about maintenance. I am happy to report the vegetation neatly trimmed on the sides with no grass encroachment on the trail. The gravel surface is in excellent shape.
The views are good for a rail trail, with a rather large opening to the south in Danville. Missing a star due to the somewhat scary route 2 crossings and the somewhat scarce latrines or formal rest/picnic areas. Only 2 are marked on the official map available at lvrt.org.
A gentle but consistent railroad grade makes for good exercise on the outbound trip, and easy downhill on the way back. Excellent surfacing and trail maintenance. Shaded enough to do at noon on a hot day, but with open stretches where more things can be seen besides trailside flora. Beautiful 19th c. deep rock cuts and 21st c. tunnels under highways are like going into air conditioning!
I have been aware of this trail for years, but have never walked or cycled this trail until this week. On Sunday, 6/25/2017, my partner Sue and I walked the trail 2/3 of the way, when threatening skies and the sound of thunder turned us around back to Newport (we just made it back before the cloudburst!).
Two days later I took my folding bike back to the trail (Sue was working), and rode the whole trail (and yes, was rained on again!). But this trail is wonderful, the surface is a good hard pack now (someone said it was bad in a previous review). There was some grass growing through on the northern portion, but the trail was still excellent in my opinion.
Starting in Newport (parking available for the trail at the adjacent hospital - there are signs), the trail runs through a wooded section for about a mile, then opens up to wonderful views of Lake Memphremagog and the distant mountains of Vermont and Canada. There are several homes, but most of them are on the east side of the trail away from the shore, even though they do have their cabanas, docks, gazebos etc on the west side of the trail. The last mile becomes a mix of woods and fields until you reach the end of the trail at North Derby Road.
At the end of the trail, you have the option to turn right and head to the Border Station in Derby and continue your ride into Canada onto the 19km Tomifobia Nature Rail-Trail in Quebec - the trail is the same railroad bed as the Beebe Spur Trail, as a matter of fact, the trail is straight ahead just 100 feet through the overgrowth at the end of the Beebe Spur Trail - but you must go to the Border Check Station (there's a sign with the needed info at the end of the Beebe Spur Trail)
Overall, it's a short trail - but what a variety it offers, just watch out for those rain showers - I was rained on both days!
Great path that is paved and well maintained. Easy bike riding where you can also walk/run. Beautiful little area as you ride through woods, pass by fields, and cross over bridges. You ride over and around a nice little creek. Bike path also rides by several of Stowe's good restaurants who all have bike racks and outdoor seating. A must do if in the area!!
We have been riding this with our grandkids for 10+ years. Now they are in high school. Enjoy the ride, the beaches along the river, restaurants and shops along the way. You can ride it up and back in an hour, or make stops and enjoy for the day.
There is a Bike Path Rehabilitation project currently under way. As of this writing (December 1, 2016), the Burlington Bike Path is closed to ALL traffic from the Skatepark to North Beach. The detour is pretty well marked.
From the south, detour using Depot St. to North Avenue. From the north, use Institute Road to North Avenue.
See http://enjoyburlington.com/burlington-greenway-project/ for latest update and a map of the detour.
There are two great geocache series on the east end of the tail. Beginning near Joe's Pond and ending near GoodFella's Restaurant is the Vermont Star with 50 caches. Picking up there is the Maple Leaf which continues on to St. Jay with 40 caches. To obtain the correct coordinates of the caches you must answer questions about VT and maple sugaring. When we did the star, we did it in two segments and I rode back on the slightly uphill trail with no problems to get the truck. When we did the leaf, we left one vehicle in St. Jay so as not to have to ride back. Bodda rides an older, single-speed tricycle and had no problems on the trail. Though we live in Morrisville, we have only tried one short segment of the trail there but have heard great things about it and want to try it soon. It is hard to imagine the work that went into cutting through the ledges and filling the gullies. When you drive routes 15 and 2, it's hard to believe how hilly they are but just a short distance away is the almost level rail trail. Gramp
Last weekend, my friends and I biked the trail from St. Albans. Except for a pizza restaurant, there were no services/portapotties at the Sheldon parking lot area as indicated on a local map of the trail. Because of the weather forecast we only went 15 miles North on the trail. The crushed gravel really slowed us down to about 7-8 mph. Though I had the appropriate tires, And I'm no speed demon, I don't like to ride that slowly. All said, What I saw was pretty, and I would be willing to bike this trail again from Richford. The southern leg of this ride was underwhelming.
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