Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT): New England’s Longest Year-Round Rail Trail

Get ready to immerse yourself in the wonders of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail- New England's longest year-round rail-trail stretching 93 miles across Vermont's picturesque northern region! In this article, we invite you to join us on our 30-mile journey, exploring the first third of this scenic trailway, as we share and unpack our experiences along the way. Discover charming towns, historic landmarks, tranquil shores, and optimal pit stops as we journey westward toward Greensboro, VT. This article highlights the hidden gems, stunning vistas, and personal recommendations based on our exploration that welcome you along the trail. Whether you're an avid cyclist, a nature lover, or simply seeking a tranquil escape, come along as we unveil the splendor of Vermont's countryside and inspire your next adventure along New England's longest rail trail! 

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail’s (LVRT) 93-mile, four-season, multi-purpose pathway stretches from the eastern part of Vermont to the shores of Lake Champlain. The starting point of the trailway is in St.Johnsbury (St.J) to the east and ends in Swanton, VT, to the west, all while connecting 18 towns throughout its linear traverse. The 93-mile trail cuts across the state, showcasing sections of Vermont’s vast landscape while passing through the quaint towns of the northern region. The LVRT’s intended purpose is for recreational access to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking, hiking, snowmobiling, horseback riding, cycling, and even dog sledding; in efforts to promote healthy and connected communities across the state while supporting the economic vitality of Northern Vermont along the villages and townships within its network.

Exploring the Eastern Region: St. Johnsbury to Greensboro

In this segment, I will highlight my experiences along a third of the trail’s eastern region, starting in St.J, and ending in Greensboro, In a two-day, overnight bikepacking ride. I will showcase this explorable section with my experiences, hoping to encourage others to journey along this third of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and beyond. The St. Johnsbury to Greensboro section is 30 miles long; 27 of those miles actuated on the rail trail, while the other 3 were personally absorbed in the town of Greensboro’s ascent. This section traverses out of the city of St. Johnsbury and into the hills of Danville, West Danville, and Walden, ultimately dropping you off at the Greensboro Bend’s exit-way of the rail trail before curling off in the direction of Hardwick, VT.

State-Funded Expansion: Connecting the 93-Mile Traverse

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail has grown with the state funding expansion project to link undeveloped sections of the trail to make the whole 93-mile traverse accessible, with the recent connections of Danville to Hardwick, Wolcott Village to Morrisville, and Cambridge to Sheldon. The state’s efforts to convert old segments of Vermont’s railways into an explorable path throughout the region while encouraging safe travel off the main roads have been a long-winded effort and priority amongst the state and cycling community. The old St. Johnsbury- Lake Champlain line excellently depicts Northern Vermont’s landscape, perfectly portraying the northern sector’s small towns. With many variations across the trail network accessible to explore and numerous parking areas lining the path, there are countless entryways and access points along the LVRT.

Heading North from St. Johnsbury: Danville, West Danville, and Walden

Heading out of St. Johnsbury northbound is a long and gradual climb into the town of Danville, shadowing Route 2 as the route winds along the roadway for its first 15 miles. The moderate ascent is an approachable climb for all levels of riding, as its elevation grade never exceeds a 3% incline and continues on that sentiment the span of its 93 miles. The initial stretch is well-shaded, under a canopy of trees with minimal exposure to sun and the elements, providing much-needed shelter for my late-June approach. As you coast along the trail, mile markers will guide you along the pathway, indicating the distance traveled out of St.J, wayward, in mile-long increments as you ascend toward Danville.

Before mile-marker 10, you will finally pop out from the canopy, with welcomed sights of the small town of Danville and its surrounding farm-esque landscape, eventually opening up to the Red Barn Brewery and just a couple miles further to a gas station/convenience store; Marty’s 1st Stop, across the road with public facilities, porter potties and a deli attached to its “Irving” infrastructure. This area grants a great spot to rest, re-fuel and either carry on or cycle back to the starting point in St.J while satisfying provisional needs.

Picture-Perfect: Capturing the Beauty of Danville’s Rolling Hills

Just a quarter mile past the rest area, the trail opens up as you glance over the surrounding hills south. The gradual climb from St. Johnsbury will finally reveal itself as you rise over the surrounding hills, offering a vantage point of the surrounding landscape. The Danville area consists of rolling hills, large farm areas, and open roads that provide a picturesque backdrop. For those looking for a photo op,’ this section is a great spot to snap some shots before getting back on the trail!

Historical Landmark: “Old Danville Station” – A Resting Spot for Travelers

Step back in time as you pedal a mile westbound and venture 11 miles into the trail, where a gem from 1871 awaits – the “Old Danville Station.” This historic hub once played a vital role, connecting passengers from Swanton to St. Johnsbury along the esteemed “Old Lake Champlain to St. Johnsbury Line,” fueling transportation and trade during the 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to the growth of nearby communities. Today, the Old Danville Station stands as a cherished piece of history, thoughtfully preserved and repurposed as an informational kiosk and resting spot for present-day rail trail riders. As the oldest train station on the “Old Lake Champlain to St. Johnsbury line,” it offers benches to rest, water refills, and a helpful bike “fixit” station to cater to cyclists, ensuring they can continue their adventures in the area through Vermont’s railway heritage and scenic landscapes of the trail’s surrounding towns.

Joe’s Pond: A Midway Point for Lunch and Relaxation

A few miles down the trail is the section’s focal point and benchmark of the eastern region’s trailway, Que West Danville, Vermont, and its centerpiece, Joe’s Pond. Upon approaching the pond and at the junction of Rt.2 and VT-Rt.15, Hastings Store is roadside, providing a vintage Vermont shopping experience before approaching the pond’s shores and further into the LVRT’s remote sections approaching Greensboro. The 393-acre, L-shaped pond sits at 1,551 feet above sea level and is shared between West Danville and Cabot to its northwest.

The eastern side of the pond along the rail trail is where you’ll find public access to the pond’s recreational area. The area welcomes picnicking, swimming, and public parking with accommodations to enjoy an afternoon on the water. The park has picnic tables, swimming zones, and beautiful vantage points of the pond’s western reach. With 15 miles from the starting point in St.J and half of the day’s pedaling in the rearview, I found this to be an optimal mid-way point and an excellent spot to eat lunch and cool off from a nearly two-hour pedal.

As someone who typically packs their own lunch, finding various options along the trailway available as a backup plan was excellent; one of these is a welcoming food truck, Sambels, located right next to Joe’s Pond parking area, directly between the rail trail and swimming area. Open Wednesday through Sunday, Sambels offers various catering options, from hot dogs and burgers to fried seafood and barbecue, to fulfill your trailside desires, with additional seating to match. The Food Truck scene in Vermont proves strong even in a small town of less than a thousand occupants, going hand in hand with the adventurous spirit of Vermont explorations. All options considered, my eyes were set on another food truck further down the road and after the subsequent finish line!

Taco Quest: Caja Madera the Ultimate Bikepacking Reward!

For this 30-mile journey, with the endpoint being a couple miles off the trail in the beautiful town of Greensboro, the goal of the day’s ride was to get acquainted with the first section of the trail and ultimately end my trek at The Highland Lodges infamous “Margarita Mondays;” where local food trucks gather to share their authentic Central American cuisine in conjunction with the pleasing atmosphere and Highland Lodge’s quality accommodations. With mission in mind, the only food on my radar was Caja Madera of Hardwick, Vermont’s delectable array of tacos!

Descending into Greensboro: Remote Beauty and Wildlife Management

In the miles following Joe’s Pond, the trail begins to level out as it gradually descends into the Walden and Greensboro areas. As you pedal through the remoteness, passing through bogs, densely forested areas, and freshly constructed cedar bridges, the West Danville section of the rail trail makes its newly developed connection to Hardwick and beyond! The remaining miles north of Danville pass through Walden, VT, and nearby Steam Mill Brook Wildlife Management Area, a 10,000-acre plot of land owned by the state and managed by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department in efforts to enhance wildlife habitats by creating a large, unbroken forested area to create a corridor for animal migration between the Worcester Mountain range and the North East Kingdom.

From Dirt to Gravel: The Greensboro Bend Transition

By this point in the trail-way, the surface eventually switches from packed dirt to freshly laid gravel. The 10-mile approach to Greensboro Bend winds in and out of dense forests with brief vistas showcasing the mountains to the northwest. As you approach “the bend” at the 27-mile marker, the trail curls off, shooting southward as it approaches the town of Hardwick. This point is where my day’s journey pushed off the rail trail and up “The Bend Rd” into Greensboro. The steep climb into Greensboro is well worth the detour, with multiple attractions lying a 3-mile pedal forward and into the town’s quaint center.

Greensboro’s Highlights: Caspian Lake and Refreshment Options

As you enter the town center, you can stock up on provisions at Willeys Store, where there is a wide variety of local produce, farm fresh goods, and an expansive deli and market area for those settling down. Greensboro is highlighted by its aquatic hub and town’s focal point, “Caspian Lake,” a fantastic pit stop on any day’s travel through the state’s northern region. The lake provides publicly accessible “beach” access, with open picnic areas and small facilities. For a more extended day spent on the water, a public boat launch is available on the southern shores to access the area’s premier waterway.

Further north up the road are a few delectable places to explore depending on the day’s desires, each offering some of the state’s facilities for fine refreshments and premium attractions, especially for those who crave craft alcoholic offerings. Just past Greensboro town hall, heading right up Laurendon Ave, eventually following the road right up Baker Hill Rd, which turns into “Town Hwy 8” Veer right, and you will be welcomed to Vermont’s most revered brewery, Hill Farmstead. After a long day on the trail, nothing tops the palate-cleansing, hop-endusing, flavor-filled feast of finely crafted brew. The top-notch brewery sits atop the outskirts of The Barr Hill Nature Area, with wonderfully designated views to the east, all based around the facilities’ lounging area.

Margarita Mondays: Sip, Savor, and Celebrate at Highland Lodge!

Back down into town, taking a hard right onto “town highway 1” and a mere mile up the road, is home to one of northern Vermont’s most authentic lodging experiences. The Highland Lodge and subsequent destination of my day’s cycling journey, after 30-plus miles in the saddle. The delectable hub to satisfy all of the day’s pedal-fueled cravings and re-supply for the following days returns to my starting point in St. J.

Highland Lodge is a picture-perfect vacationing headquarters, with cabins, hotel rooms, access to private lakefront amenities, and more to truly encapsulate the Greensboro and Northern Vermont outdoor experience. The lodge also caters to passersby and non-lodging guests with its restaurant, bar, lounge, and picnic areas on the premise. Highland Lodge encourages travelers by car, bike, and foot to stop in and join their weekly events, often highlighting local food trucks from around the area!

The night I meticulously planned my journey was Highland Lodge’s “Margarita Monday,” where neighboring Hardwick VT’s local food truck Caja Madera takes the summer stage weekly to share their authentic Mexican street food in the form of rotating tacos, delectably paired alongside the Highland Lodge’s House Margarita and other barrages of rotating craft beer to blend the flavors of the south. For more on Highland Lodges’ offerings and schedule of events/ to book a stay and experience Greensboro’s genuine lodging facility, be sure to check out their events page and stay updated with their socials!

Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Two-Day Delight!

Embarking on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is achievable in a full-day effort covering 60 miles and becomes an exhilarating adventure when savored over two days! Embrace the essence of bikepacking with its core qualities of adventure, self-reliance, and environmental consciousness, and you’ll unlock the true spirit of this trail! Make a few tweaks to your bicycle’s frame space, and you’ll be all set for an unforgettable overnight ride or a leisurely two-day excursion. Or even plan your journey around a cozy local lodging facility. Shedding unnecessary baggage allows you to pedal even farther and experience the trail’s wonders in a new light! Remember, there’s no wrong approach when exploring the LVRT; the key is to get out there, ride joyfully, and travel safely along New England’s most expansive trailway! See you out there!