We had a great time riding and taking in the scenic trail. Loved riding along the river. Took a picnic lunch and stopped to eat.

Thanks to Jimbo's review, we lowered our expectations for this trail and had an enjoyable ride. We parked in Granville, NY, and took the trail southerly into Vermont. In NY, the trail includes stretches of grass, packed earth, and well-packed gravel. In VT, it switches to gravel. It certainly wasn't paved asphalt, and the ride had more vibration and required more effort than it would have been on a paved path, but riding our hybrids, we did not find it excessively bouncy, or even particularly uncomfortable. And although there were horseshoe prints, we didn't see any deep divots. At the same time, the ride passes through beautiful countryside and tidy farmland. We rode it on the Monday of a 3-day holiday, and saw virtually no one on the trail.

Today was our first time to bike this trail. Sand was pretty deep in places as we started out from Newport. When I was fantasizing about riding on the road dodging cars rather than continue in the slow handlebar-turning sand, I knew it was time to throw in the towel on this trail. I get it--the ATV's need a place to ride, too. That's okay by me. Just quit saying this particular rail trail is a bike path. It isn't. Thank goodness for the options elsewhere, even if not as convenient in location to me as the Sugar River Rail Trail. Huge disappointment.

the small stone surface on top of rough tar results in constant vibration and absorbs energy making travel difficult. A local indicated the trail was completed last year - it is clear they have no concept of how to make a bike trail.

As mentioned by others this HAS been a great trail.
Currently the trail is in very rough shape due to horse traffic. The type of material used last year to resurface the trail is great for walking and wheeled traffic but is damaged when horses are ridden at a gallop.
Recent attempt to ride resulted in my wife and I leaving the trail and finding a paved road to ride back on rather than endure the constant pounding.
I am trying to contact Vermont Dept of Forest ,Parks, and Rec about this but so far have had no luck getting a response.
I will update this review if new info comes or if the status of the trail surface changes,

I ran on this trail with my husband and children. Very stroller friendly path and very popular. There were many other people on the trail, which we didn’t mind. This could be due to the newly warm weather. Goes across several bridges and bodies of water. Picnic tables and benches along the way. Very scenic and excellent for a nice run. People were walking, roller blading, running, and riding their bikes. I definitely plan on coming back!

I have ridden this trail in increments, in 10ish mile out and back segments, and have enjoyed each ride a great deal. I have the last bit to finish still, a section in the middle where parking was not as clear to me initially. I hope to repeat it as a full ride at some point just to say I did it. Spring, Summer, Fall, all beautiful, and the covered bridges and historic areas are a nice surprise. The incline is so gradual, you don't realize it until you turn around and head back and finish a bit quicker on the return. It's busier at the Lebanon end but not packed by any means, and the Loons were a real treat.

The is was my first event with the MeetUp organization. It was a 40 mile ride with a great group of people. I was the “geezer” and everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. And as soon as Winter is over, I want to do more of these trips.

Parked at the Troy depot heading south toward Fitzwilliam and encountered a huge deep puddle a short distance away, there was no way around it and I had to turn around. It had been really dry, surprised to see a puddle