Find the top rated birding trails in Vermont, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The completed sections of this trail are on the Montpelier to Wells River Trail site and see the reviews there. Hybrid bike works fine. Youker
I have ridden this trail with a hybrid bike every August for many years since my wife's grandfather built a cabin on Lake Groton 106 years ago. No problem. The section along Lake Groton has a few rocks sticking up in the tread-way so keep your eyes peeled. Yesterday there were two trees across the trail but bike could be lifted over. It is nice territory, take your time and enjoy. Youker
The construction mentioned in previous reviews is now complete.
Nice 4 plus mile hike for someone 72. Friendly people on the trail and neat falls. Would consider it moderate.
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!
My wife and 2 kids (7 and 10) and I were here on a Sunday afternoon. We started at the end of the trail near Rt 91. We were the only ones there. We parked in the trail parking lot and headed toward Springfield. The trail starts as a dead end street, at the end of the street it turns to a paved bike path. The start of the path is very nice, after passing by a gas station and a busy road crossing and parking lot, it parallels a river for about 1/4 mile. The trail ends and the route follows a quiet country road for another 1/2 mile before coming to an old iron road bridge that crosses the river. There's a small park just over the bridge that we stopped at for a break. After that, the "bike trail" just parallels route 11 until the outskirts of Springfield. It looks just like a pavement sidewalk next to a busy road, for the next 2 plus miles until it ends in a run down part of the edge of town. Overall not much scenery after mile one, and not much fun.
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!!
5/28/2017 The trail begins near the former Middle Granville NY Depot on Depot St. Does not appear to be trail head parking at this point but you may be able to leave a car near the business occupying the former depot.
Very shortly down the trail it gets a little confusing as the "trail" goes through a dairy farm. Today that hilly portion was not bike friendly with mud and puddles and deep ruts so I took a short detour to the nearby road and around the farm back to the trail.
The trail from there to the Granville town center was fine with a mix of grass and crushed cinder. The trail passes a bed and breakfast in town (trail parking here) and then it is mostly crushed cinder and good going to the Vermont state line.
From the NY/VT line to West Pawlet again a mix of grass and crushed cinder. A little less than 7 miles from Middle Granville to West Pawlet. There is trail parking at West Pawlet near the intersection of 153 and Egg St. I finished the trail here but it continues for 9.5 miles to West Rupert.
Previous reviews had mentioned a dog problem in the VT section after leaving NY (going south) or approaching the NY state line (going north). There were loud barking dog(s) in this area but they did not impinge on the trail. I could not see through the brush to determine if they were leashed of penned.
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.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
_0_st.jpg)
_0_st.jpg)
