VT Places to Walk or Hike after your Weekend Lunch. Yes, In Winter.
Vermont has multiple places to go to burn off some energy or lunch any day of the week. Being a small state, they are all pretty close by. Many are wide, level and flat, so ideal for groups with varied energy and knee health. Consider these options, check the trail map details, dress for the weather conditions, and go!
Here are some year-round area public and private trails in Northern VT.
- The Short parts of the Long Trail. The “LT” has many side trails for short hikes. Consider accessing them in Belvidere, Johnson, Smuggler’s Notch/Cambridge, Underhill and Jonesville. Consider the terrain and skill levels noted. Visit the Green Mountain Club, [who designed, built and maintains this epic trail system] for pro tips on hiking in every season, a link to their offline LT trail app and more.
- Underhill’s Mills River Park Trails. off Rte 15 has accessible level trails through farm fields and elevated looping trails with nice wide, but sometimes muddy trails. There is a specific off-leash dog area. You will find nice views of Mount Mansfield in places, Dutch-Belted cattle grazing in others. Park at Mill River parking area and cross the bridge to get started. Map kiosk.
- Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. (LVRT) A level, wide, gravel finished surface, totaling 93 miles. Due to 2023 July flooding, some areas of the trail are out of commission for the time-being. There are plenty of parking areas along the LVRT route to choose your out-and-back walk. In Cambridge; park along Route 15 past the traffic rotary and your walk can be Northwest across the Lamoille on a walking bridge, or East along the banks, toward Johnson. May be groomed for dogsledding and XC in the winter.. Portions shared with VAST snowmobile club.
- Cricket Hill Trails. in Hyde Park. Access nine hiking/walking trails off Route 15, near the high school. Or bring your mountain bike for 11 more trails. Not a town owned trail system.
- Westford Town Trails. Accessible. Maintained by their Conservation Commission of volunteers, access the trail map here. Start with the many loops of the Maple Shade Town Forest Trails behind the Elementary school.
- Cambridge Town Trails. link you with many other area trails including Brewster Midlands Trails, Alden Bryan Brewster River Trail and the LVRT. Some trails are wide and level, others are more a typical hiking trail; narrow without finished gravel surfaces and not always level. Some may be closed in Winter, where they go through a VT designated winter deer yard. Park at Brewster River Park, by taking a left on Canyon Road off 108 North, then a quick right before the covered bridge. Check the map for many other off-street parking options.
- Peter Krusch Nature Preserve. Park in their lot at 316 North Cambridge Road in Cambridge. Then, pick the 2 mile round trip on the Main Nature Trail. Consider one of two side-spurs as you go.
- Fairfax Town Trails. Called the 100 Acre Woods, these two looping town trails offer almost two miles to walk. Park at 2739 VT-104, Fairfax.
- Georgia Town Trails. Take your pick; from the 2 mile loop on 44 acres of Russell Green Natural area, Silver Lake Woods 1.75 mile combined trails accessed off Blake Road, Mill River Falls Natural Area or Falls Road, an old town road.
- Morristown Trails. Access from three parking areas on Bryan Pond Road. Walking out and back on old town road 43 between gates will get you 3 miles. Many loop options as well.
- Stowe Recreation Path. This is a 5.3 mile paved trail offering mountain views, criss-crossing the Little River. Many parking options. Walk or bike! Bike maintenance stations. Groomed in Winter.
Wondering which other towns offer town trails? Ask a local realtor experienced in the area where you are looking to buy property. Or, call the Town offices during their regular business hours. Check back here too, we are keeping a list.
? Too cold for walking but still need to get out? Tour some VT covered bridges!
? Looking to sell a property in Vermont, soon? Here are some pro tips and
Don grew up in Vermont, loving the outdoors. After college, he had an illustrious career as a professional ski instructor at Smugglers Notch Resort where he enjoyed sharing his love of the mountains and the sport with kids and adults. The off-season led to Don shifting roles to a year-round position in permitting and planning for the resort. This provided him a foundation of knowledge and experience in these areas that has extended into Don’s current career in Real Estate.
Looking for all-in, old-school intense support for your real estate transaction? Amber Foote is a Broker and REALTOR with Blue Spruce Realty since 2018, after 12 years as a civil rights advocate helping families negotiate and collaborate with PA school systems seeking services for children with disabilities, and supporting attorneys through litigation. She grew up in a real estate household. She is experienced in successful negotiation, persistence, collaboration and working with a thousand details that all matter. Prior to advocacy, Amber had a successful design and marketing firm serving small businesses in South Central Pennsylvania. Before moving back North, Amber first worked in advertising, public relations and marketing for Wunderman Worldwide, Grey Advertising and Doubleday Publishing in NYC after graduating from Syracuse University. She has two adult children. She enjoys everything outdoors, and historic properties.
Gary grew up on the West Farm in Jeffersonville.
Tami has lived in Vermont her entire life and loves it. For a major part of her life, Tami’s focus has been raising five beautiful daughters. As her children grew, she enjoyed the opportunity of working in education, tutoring literature and directing a Shakespearean Theater Company for teens that raised money for charity.