Vermont Unveils Longest Rail Trail in New England, Now Open for Adventure

New England boasts the longest rail trail, now open for travelers in Vermont. This trail provides opportunities for walking, biking, and even horseback riding across the state.

The opening of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail was delayed due to flooding, according to the Associated Press, but it now stretches 93 miles, connecting 18 different towns. The trail is open year-round, allowing for winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation.

Travelers will encounter quintessential New England sights along the way, such as the Fisher Covered Bridge and historic railroad station buildings. The trail is also wheelchair-accessible thanks to its low grades and a 10-foot-wide compact, crushed stone surface.

Marianne Borowski, founder of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, shared her impressions with the Associated Press: "I have ridden rail trails in 48 of the 50 states. And this is right up there with some of the most amazing ones. It drips with New England charm… It's just so Vermont, it's so beautiful. It's got forests and fields and farms and rivers and streams and wetlands and, you know, rail cuts and cows — I mean it’s just got everything."

The trail, built on a rail line completed in 1877, was initially set to open last year (with Vermont Governor Phil Scott even planning to ride the trail from end to end), but plans were delayed due to flooding. Recent flooding has meant that some sections of the trail are still closed, but most of it is open to visitors, with posted detours in damaged areas.

Besides the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, Vermont boasts three other four-season rail trails, including the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail. The second-largest, this trail runs for 26.4 miles through villages, farms, forests, and fields in Franklin County.