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Vermont Horseback Riding Trails and Maps

169 Reviews

Looking for the best Horseback Riding trails around Vermont?

Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Vermont, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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City Trails and Maps in Vermont

Accordion

Alburg Recreational Rail-Trail

3.5 mi

State: VT

Ballast, Cinder

Cambridge Greenway

1.4 mi

State: VT

Crushed Stone, Gravel

Cross Vermont Trail

87.4 mi

State: VT

Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel

Cross Vermont Trail (Montpelier & Wells River Trail)

22.9 mi

State: VT

Ballast, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

Delaware and Hudson Rail-Trail

25.8 mi

State: NY, VT

Asphalt, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel

Lamoille Valley Rail Trail

34.2 mi

State: VT

Crushed Stone, Gravel

West River Trail

16.1 mi

State: VT

Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel, Sand

Accordion

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	Alburg Recreational Rail-Trail 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...	VT	3.5 mi	Ballast, Cinder	5 reviews
	Cambridge Greenway 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...	VT	1.4 mi	Crushed Stone, Gravel	1 reviews
	Cross Vermont Trail 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....	VT	87.4 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel	4 reviews
	Cross Vermont Trail (Montpelier & Wells River Trail) Locals lovingly describe the Cross Vermont Trail as a patchwork quilt that will ultimately form a 90-mile trail from Lake Champlain in the west to the Connecticut River in the east. A component of the...	VT	22.9 mi	Ballast, Dirt, Gravel, Sand	9 reviews
	Delaware and Hudson Rail-Trail The Delaware and Hudson Rail-Trail follows the flowing contours of the western Vermont countryside, rambling in and out of New York state, where you’ll find a 4-mile gap. This border area is known as...	NY, VT	25.8 mi	Asphalt, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel	20 reviews
	Lamoille Valley Rail Trail The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) is a growing, year-round trail across northern Vermont that will one day stretch 93 miles between St. Johnsbury and Swanton. The trail passes through the spine of...	VT	34.2 mi	Crushed Stone, Gravel	17 reviews
	West River Trail The West River Railroad, which once followed its namesake river for 36 miles, began passenger service in the late 1800s as a way to trim the two-day voyage between Brattleboro and South Londonderry to...	VT	16.1 mi	Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel, Sand	8 reviews

Accordion

Recent Trail Reviews

West River Trail

Appears to be alot of conflict with landowners

June, 2018 by gregswild

The trail definitely has some potential if there was more participation from landowners, some of whom appear to be quite hostile to the idea. It appears that the trail did or attempted to cross through private land on the Townsend section northward towards a connection with the Jamaica section but you soon run into a labyrinth of blocked trail and more No Trespassing and Posted signs than I have ever seen in one spot anywhere in my life. They did dissuade me that day and I turned around which is most unfortunate. Laws being what they are in Vermont, there is nothing illegal about this of course. In many states, including Texas surprisingly there is a law against closing off a certain amount of shoreline areas to passersby and swimmers etc. in order to promote this activity which is ultimately beneficial to all, locals and visitors alike.

Cross Vermont Trail (Montpelier & Wells River Trail)

Through Groton State Forest

June, 2018 by kerund

Rode a hybrid the approx.12 mile stretch out and back between Rts. 302 and 2. This is not a typical rail trail with a uniform surface. It’s a dirt surface with occasional protruding rocks. Not for road tires or slicks. That said, the surface and trail conditions were good and it was easy to maintain a nice pace.

This stretch is essentially two long but very gradual hills. The trail is shaded throughout and travels through beautiful forest, past streams and wetlands with occasional views of ponds.

The trail is quiet and secluded but nearby state park campgrounds are easy to reach and there’s a short side trail to Kettle Pond. Looking forward to riding this trail again - after the black flies have flown south for the winter.

Island Line Rail Trail

Carmenza rolls in Burlington for the first time in 28 years

April, 2018 by unusedfun

Since I left for college my home town of Burlington, Vermont has developed with thoughtful civic prosperity.

One element of this peaceful, intelligent town is vast improvement in the public interest of the spectacular waterfront along Lake Champlain ("The West Coast of New England"). World class facilities are taking shape on the edge of this iconic water that was once part of an inland sea. There is a deeply nuanced museum (ECHO) for families that interprets the wilderness that is the lake and its many tributaries. There is also a very nice skateboard park and open recreational spaces.

My dad and I chose the waterfront park as our starting point. This is a nicely paved section that rides fast and polite. Although I saw quite a few full dog waste bags along the sides of the trail I did not see any dogs in 22 miles of riding, and no waste on the trail.

Very quickly all signs of the city almost vanish and having escaped the shelter of the harbor breakwater one starts to notice the subtle sound of waves lapping against the beach to the west. April is a great time to ride this trail for the diversity of flora and fauna. The birds were spectacular.

We took a short break at North Beach and met up with my best friend of 40 years and continued our push to the North end of the causeway. He encouraged us to pause and absorb our sacred lake. When you grow up on a major body of water it dominates every fiber of your soul. The power of water cannot be underestimated. It's physical properties defy our best efforts to control it. Bowing in respect for this energy we established cadence and a pedal drive North.

The sky was cold sapphire blue. Also spectacular were the Ice formations that encased the west side of the causeway after we crossed the Winooski River on a rusty but happy Iron truss bridge.

What was spectacular in a relatively cold and slightly discouraging way was the 40mph cross wind we had to fight all the way to the winter terminus of the causeway. In summer there is a little pedestrian/bike ferry that jumps the old swing bridge gap and allows riders to access South Hero and Grand Isle.

Anyhow, we battled the wind at a 5 degree cant. All of us leaning into the wind and hoping it wouldn't throw us in the lake or on to the causeway fill off the side of the (very nice) smooth cinder trail. There is no easy emergency exit at any point on the causeway. You are almost guaranteed a trip to the hospital if you wipe out and go off the trail. Please be very careful on the Causeway, especially with children. There is a lot of opportunity for self destruction caused(wayed;-) by inattention.

The thrill is entirely worth the ride, even with unfavorable wind. Our views of the Greens and the Dacks and the birds and the islands and the the the...

You get it.

It is a wilderness experience in the city.

We eventually reached the swing bridge pier. Staring out over the north country virtually speechless for the privilege of the experience. Reconciliation of my relationship with Burlington...with my childhood.

I now know that I do not need to worry about returning to my birth home. Hiding out west for 28 years gave me perspective on what I left behind. What I see in my home state is the prospect of adventure, and I hope to get back a bit more frequently in the next 28 years. When I moved West I found sanctuary in the vast wilderness, climate diversity and sparse population centers. It was a huge change from living in the Northeast.

Now, the Northeast has changed dramatically. The population has embraced technology and the impending, changing future. Everything seems fresh with fresher on the way soon. New open space is becoming accessible every day. It is inspiring to see how the communities of New England have embraced their history, and continue to innovate without forgetting the cultures that led to the development of the region.

When I used to run this trail for cross country, skiing, and track in high school, it was unrefined. Now it is becoming a capstone of the Burlington waterfront. The surfaces are much better than they used to be. The vision is forward. North, South, East and West. There is no reason that Vermont cannot be completely connected by rail-trail and bike paths and rural roads. Forward is the direction of bicycles.

As we returned to my dads house I reflected on my 28 years absence from bicycling in Vermont. At 5 years old my dad bought me my first bike, a chopper with a banana seat. It was yellow. A few wrecks in the driveway and I was off in to traffic. I never felt so liberated, such freedom. We moved to the city because my dad didn't want to commute by car. He rode his bike or walked to work almost every day of his teaching career. I know where my half my heart came from.

BMX came in fast and I couldn't afford a new bike in that era because my family moved to Europe and that was expensive. When we returned BMX was losing popularity so I (my Dad) bought a Peugot road bike. I road that bike on what was called the "Burlington Bike Path" hundreds of miles. I road all over town on that bike for four years.

Then along came mountain bikes. By this point I was working almost full time, so I was able to save enough money to buy a Specialized Rock Hopper Comp (forest service green) 1988. I still ride it, and it is worth considerably more than the 689USD I paid for it. Best bike ever. I rode that one in Vermont, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Arizona, New Mexico and Idaho. Now, I think Carmen is slowly moving towards retirement. It is hard to retire a bike. That bike took me from high school to prosperity. Not the same thing as putting down a loyal pet, but that bike was my wingman in the early years of my adulthood.

So, back in Burlington...pre-ride. I have no bike. I flew out so it just made more sense to rent one one in Burlington.

I am weak, so I just wandered into my favorite outdoor store, found a very well priced (gravel grinder) crossover and bought it. The staff were almost jealous. Everyone had their eye on this bike. Now I have to justify it to my wife.

Truth be told I bought it for selfish reasons--I wanted it. Secondary is my justification, which is sincere. Health.

My dad is 75. 76 this July. He had no problem riding the 22 miles in 6 degree 40mph wind. I have two sisters that have four boys total, all between age 10 and 14. All about as tall as I am. Between my sisters and their spouses, and the nephews, there are 8 people who can ride this bike with my dad.

It is a chance to bond and breathe a bit too. This bike is bigger than any of us.

The Island Line Trail is a work in progress in the context of the greater effort to connect our continent with smooth, car free cycle zones. Imagine, if I didn't need to own a car I could easily take an extra month off each year, and travel by bike to Vermont. Each time I would buy another bike and still be money ahead to eat at many fine restaurants along the way.

My only fear is the mid west. 1000 miles of mono-culture, and it runs 1000 miles north south too. There is no escape from the swing of catharsis and boredom in these situations. Perhaps a quick stop in Colorado is required before dropping into America's skateboard ramp. If you don't use your breaks you can roll clear to the Mississippi.

Just kidding.

I hope the larger message has come across in this post. I wish for all bicycle enthusiasts to see it as a venue for maintaining quality of relationships with friends and family until health eclipses intention. Until that impasse I will try to keep all of my loved ones active.

Peace

Accordion

Missisquoi Valley Rail-Trail

Spend a Night in Enosburg Falls at New B&B

October, 2017 by chrjackson

I followed the itinerary on Traillink.com pretty much with one exception. I spent the second and third nights in Enosburg Falls at the 1906 House, a lovely newly renovated B&B in the center of town.

This is a great trail, but I suppose it is not for people who don't like crushed stone surfaces, which is practically all the trails I have ever traveled on in New England.

Missisquoi Valley Rail-Trail

Cycled both ways.

October, 2017 by carolalexander

I give this a five for scenery and good trail conditions. The river, mountains, small towns, and the good food at the Maple City diner. We rode it both ways and there are lots of geocaches along the way. The eastern section is more open with fields and mountains. The western section is more shaded. Again, we find very few bathrooms along the rail/trails.

Island Line Rail Trail

Loved the ride across the lake

October, 2017 by carolalexander

This trail is one of our all-time favorites because of the section through the lake. Even the short ferry ride was interesting. Cannot believe how scenic, and Burlington was so neat. If I would have one negative thing to say - so few bathrooms.

Beebe Spur Rail Trail

First time bicycling across Canadian border

October, 2017 by carolalexander

We truly love this trail and probably would have rated it a 5 if there was at least one bathroom. Also, there was a little confusion about parking. Saw the biggest snapper turtle ever. Estimate that it was 18" broad and 32" long.

Island Line Rail Trail

Burlington Greenway Project Continues

September, 2017 by mgrimmvt

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

Lye Brook Falls Trail

August, 2017 by sarac7

Very rocky trail. It's labeled moderate but should be moderate/difficult. The trail is through woods with limited views. The Falls are impressively highland nice. I'm glad we went but wouldn't do it again.

Island Line Rail Trail

Detour - Aug 25 2017

August, 2017 by mmbutts

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.

Cross Vermont Trail

See other trail

August, 2017 by youker

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

Cross Vermont Trail (Montpelier & Wells River Trail)

Interesting Ride

August, 2017 by 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

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