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Nestled in the remote, lake-filled region of northwestern Vermont is the short but scenic Alburgh Recreational Rail-Trail, which runs for 3.5 miles, just a few miles from the Canadian border.
About the Route
Although only 3.5 miles, this short rail trail is unmissable. It is a birder's paradise, with Mud Creek Waterfowl Area on the western end of the trail and the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge a few miles east of the eastern endpoint.
Getting to the route can even be half the fun with the scenic route (U.S. Route 2) from Burlington crosses several islands on Lake Champlain and features scenic views of the lake and Aidrondack Mountains of New York.
The Alburgh Recreational Rail Trail runs between Carlyle St. (Alburgh) and Rte. 78 (Alburgh).
Parking is available at Alburgh Lakeshore Park, off Trestle Dr.
This is an approximate address, please see TrailLink Map for more detailed directions.
The Alburgh Trail now has a trail head with parking on the east end. The rail veers off the current map just past McGregor Point Road and continues east to the lake at the end of Trestle Drive. The parking area is also part of the Lake Champlain Land Trust Alburgh Lakeshore Park.
This was a great little trail for an 89 yr old who wanted something short and flat. Parking good at both ends Surface well maintained but not good for bikes with thin tires. Watch out for the the bridge at near end, which is appropriate only for snowmobiles, walk it with your bike. A number of roots caused a bump, but they were quite passable. There is a beautiful view of wildlife in water at one end, saw ducks, great blue heron,hawk above.
Found this trail by accident today. Road it most if the way, east/west. Trail has not been maintained as compared to pictures shown. Rideable but very, very over-grown. Very few clear markers. It's like it's almost hidden and forgotten. Shame!
Very enjoyable! The second part is a bit rough, but very doable by bike, if you are willing to slow down. Lovely park at the eastern end for a little picnic (there even is a picnic table!)
I can see how this marsh might be buggy in mid-summer, but in October, it was delightful!!!
I was just on a 9-day cycling trip in Burlington, VT, the islands, back over to this trail and down to Burlington to CT.
Anyway, you get into Alburg, the first "town" feeling on all of the islands. The trail is in the center of town, just a few feet from the Welcome Center. The ranger told me she just got back from a meeting about the new ending of the trail in East Alburg and I did some reading about it in one of the local papers.
The trail starts where it should but there's absolutely no signage anywhere on the street or both approaches from the main town centers! That is unacceptable and I've emailed and called the appropriate parties.
The trail is very bumpy and muddy and mostly grassy and annoying with lots of bugs and wildlife jumping out, not a good trail if you have gear on you. It also passes in the middle of nowhere through grassy swamp so if you get stuck, you are stuck. I was so annoyed after 2 miles, I jumped on the parallel road and took it to the water. The trail just sort of ends with no kiosk or information.
"We went from one end to the other on August 20, 2004. The comments of Gary Belanger in the other review still apply perfectly. We rode our bikes the whole way but the last section is getting bushy. We saw a rabbit 10 feet in front of a bike. The sides roads and completing a loop via Alburg Springs and farm roads add charm to the ride."
"This is a nice little trail. I would divide the trail into two parts: the first part is good for biking and the second is a nice nature walk. For the first part of the trail, the surface is cinder and gravel; the width of the trail is sufficient for bikers (mountain/hybrid). There are some excellent views of wetland marshes and farms. We saw a beautiful Great Blue Heron in this area. The first part of the trail ends at a small wooden trestle bridge.
Immediately after the wood bridge, the trail crosses a major road (Route 78 -- I believe). At this point the trail narrows to a footpath. There are some very nice areas in this second part of the trail, but I would consider this mainly a nature walk verses a bike trail.
It should be noted that the second part of the trail is probably maintained a few times a year, you could see mower marks, however, it was in need of it when I visited the trail.
All in all, this is a nice little trail and worth a stop if you’re in the area."
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