Find the top rated walking trails in Middlebury, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The part between Saranac and about 3 miles south of Floodwood (where the lakes begin/end) is the best. I thought Saranac to Placid was comparatively boring, although Placid is a must-see tourist town if in the area. The climb up to Placid at the end is worth noting. I did out and back, for reference.
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!
Biked this well kept trail start to finish. Well marked. There are a couple of challenging uphill climbs but doable by most people. Historical plaques along the route are very informative. There are some rest areas with benches. Highly recommend this trail. Looking forward to riding it again.
A great ride through boreal forest of the Canadian Shield geological formation! I did an out-and -back from Tupper Lake (the largest trailhead parking lot I’ve ever seen!) to Lake Placid. The trail is in great condition- packed crushed gravel except for a short paved section east of Saranac Lake. The trailheads all have portable toilets. There is a temporary trailhead at Lake Placid as a new one is under construction.
A good portion of the trail runs through deep forest but there are plenty of areas where the views open up, usually associated with the many ponds and lakes.
This one is a gem!
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.
Trail has enough Snow to Ski and Snowshoe. Must remove Skis and Snowshoe to go through Tunnels and Cross Roads.
This Trail has been all redone we started at Ricker pond and went to Kettle pond was so much fun the views were amazing
This trail is finally completed and is one of the best rail-trails I have ever ridden. It connects the communities of Tupper Lake, Lake Clear, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. It's extremely popular, taking you through remote wooded areas with lake vistas, and just enough community connections for you to pick up a coffee, beer or sandwich along the way. It's still a work in progress with more signs, benches, tables and rest areas yet to be completed, but it's a diamond in the rough, and sure to be in the Rails to Trails "Hall of Fame" in the future!
Our plan was to start in Morrissville and camp at Elmore Campground. Park the car in Morrisville due to numerous overnight parking opportunities in Municipal lots and the 600 ft climb to the campground. We rode east to Sugar Ridge Campground ~43 miles. after about 6 miles elevation went up ~2-3% for seemingly 20 miles to about Greensboro Bend. Trail goes downward for ~6 miles then flattens. Access the rear of the Campground from the Trail. No campground sign. The turn off is at the Green Danville 1.4 mile sign. easy to miss. Food sources are in Hardwick(sizeable town just off the trail), Hastings Gen Store/Deli in West Danville on the trail, Restaurants in Danville 1/5 mi from trail, very lg convenience market at Irving Gas Station seen from the Trail east of Danville. Trail was mostly hard cinder and some hard dirt. No trail camping, water, infrequent porto johns, signage was lacking except mile markers. The trail was mostly shaded with some very nice views. We saw one bear cub, otherwise wildlife was lacking except some hawks and other birds. The campgrounds were good with flush toilets. We missed the detours west of St Johnsbury. Another detour added a little mileage and hills on local farm roads. We needed to walk one hill on the detour.
The second part was to get to the car and drive to Elmore lake campground and camp. The next day we were to ride to Carmi Lake campground off the Missiquoi Rail Trail. Due to a Medical Emergency with my co rider, I rode sections west of Morrisville without gear by myself. I rode to Cambridge Jct. A nice place to rest. A train depot was there ,a playground and a covered bridge. Locals frequented it. Cambridge was off the trail with services. The trail was fast, flat and scenic and more in the open thru farmland. Services were lacking.
The next day I rode out and back on the Missiquoi from St Albans for a total of 35 miles. I turned onto the Lamoille when they intersected. The ride was nice but noneventful. Great scenery at various points especially on the Lamoille. Trail quality was very good and fast (Hard packed Cinder). Really no services. Some of those 2-3% grades. We had Gravel bikes with 43 and 45 mm tires. Tires on the trails with >38 mm would be fine due to some sections of loose sand.
It appears as though the trail is still a work in progress. It looks as though the repair of the washed out sections is using up resources that would have gone to railings, signage, benches, repair stations etc. A fair number of locals use the Trails. The trail often follows the scenic Lamoille River. Morrisville is a very nice town with all the services a traveler would want, including a hospital. Overall the trail is very nice and I am glad I rode as much as I did. Hopefully the Cross New Hampshire Trail is next.
We biked from Granville to Rupert, 11 miles one way. It was an excellent ride! The trail is in great shape and parking on Water St. by the Slate Valley Museum was very convenient. I believe the trail continues another 2 miles into West Rupert. If you like gravel rides, I highly recommend this one!
We did this trail yesterday! It was so much fun! Lots to see and do! Do forget to bring cash for the ferry
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