Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly Map
The Williston Village Bike Path links neighborhoods, schools, parks, shopping areas, and restaurants in the suburban town of Williston via a collection of connector trails. The eastern 1.2-mile segment of trail begins at North Williston Road—just 0.3 mile southeast of Williston Community Park and its athletic fields, where there is also a parking area—and heads northwest, completely looping around the soccer field, baseball diamond, and a disc golf course. On the eastern side, you can also pick up the Allen Brook Nature Trail, a walking trail that passes through a wooded area adjacent to Allen Brook.
The Williston Village Bike Path continues northwest and crosses over Allen Brook, reaching Old Stage Road soon after. Portions of the trail are included in the Cross Vermont Trail—a project to connect 90 miles of multiuse trail from Lake Champlain to the Connecticut River.
At Old Stage Road, you will come to a 0.7-mile on-road section through a suburban neighborhood, which is marked with small bicycle route signs. To return to off-road trail, turn left onto Old Stage Road and then take an immediate right onto Lawnwood Drive. Go 0.2 mile, turn right onto Southridge Road, and go 0.2 mile. Turn right onto Harte Circle, go 0.1 mile, and turn right onto Metcalf Drive. Go 0.2 mile to Coyote Lane; here, you can pick up the spur access point to return to off-road trail immediately to your right. Optionally, you can turn right onto Coyote Lane, go a couple hundred feet, and turn left onto the trail.
Totaling 3.1 miles, including spurs and loops, this section of trail will take you past Allen Brook School and on to Taft Corners, a popular shopping district. Trail parking is available just off Boxwood Street. Note that after a brief winding section of trail before and after the school, you’ll reach Talcott Road, a quiet neighborhood street with another 0.2-mile on-road segment. Bicycle symbols will then direct you to cross to the south side of Talcott Road, where you’ll meet up with off-road trail for another 0.2 mile to US 2/Williston Road.
Turn right at US 2 to stay on the trail, which, after 0.1 mile, crosses Zephyr Road. Immediately afterward, the route turns left and crosses over US 2. Be cautious when crossing; though a crosswalk signal is located here, this section of the highway can experience high levels of traffic.
At Taft Corners the path continues through the complex, providing access to multiple shopping centers and restaurants. Here, the trail connects to the Marshall Avenue Bike Path, which follows the southern side of Marshall Avenue.
A separate 1.4-mile section of trail connects South Brownell Road to Vermont Technical College and businesses and ends at Dunmore Lane. An additional northern segment begins at Overlook Park and heads south 1.5 miles on SR 2A/Essex Road, passing shops, businesses, and a few residential areas before ending at Beaudry Lane.
To reach the eastern endpoint and parking at the Williston Community Park (100 Library Lane) from I-89, take Exit 12 for SR 2A toward US 2/Williston/Essex Jct. Head north on SR 2A (from I-89 N, turn right; from I-89 S, turn left), and go 0.7 mile. Turn right onto US 2 E, and go about 2 miles. Turn left onto Central School Dr., and follow the drive to the right and then to the left, ending at the parking lot adjacent to the soccer field complex.
To reach the western endpoint and parking at Taft Corners from I-89, take Exit 12 for SR 2A toward US 2/Williston/Essex Jct. Head north on SR 2A, and go 0.7 mile. Turn right onto US 2, and head east 0.2 mile. Turn right onto Boxwood St. and the parking lot is immediately to your left.
To reach the northern endpoint at Overlook Park from I-89, take Exit 12 for SR 2A toward US 2/Williston/Essex Jct., and head north. Go 2.9 miles on SR 2A N, and turn left into the parking lot at Overlook Park, just before crossing the Winooski River.
This path is in a lovely community park.
The surface is rough for inline skaters and those on Trikkes, but is probably great for folks on bicycles.
My biggest concern is the lack of a barrier at the North Williston Road end of the path.
While I was riding my Trikke, a girl who appeared to be about 5 years old was riding ahead of her family as fast as she could. It wasn't readily obvious that the path ended, and it was a street up ahead. The parents were frantically calling for her to stop, but she was speeding ahead towards the busy road. Thankfully, her parents started screaming "Brake, Brake" and she suddenly realized the danger and responded.
The placement of visual and/or physical barriers at the end of the path may save a person's life. A "Stop" sign, partially hidden by trees is NOT enough!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
