SVT Foot Trails
Endless Brook
Several miles of hiking/biking trails in Poultney with a view of Lake St. Catherine
Other Foot Trails in the Region
Lewis Deane Nature Preserve
1-2 hour hike in Poultney with a view of Lake St. Catherine. Formerly owned by Green Mountain College. Trails and parking remain open to the public.
Haystack Mountain / North Pawlet Hills Natural Area
3 hour hike in North Pawlet with 360 degree views. Owned by the Nature Conservancy. Hunting is allowed by permission at this property.
Taconic Ramble State Park (Mt. Zion)
Several miles of hiking trails and zen gardens in Castleton.
Castleton University Multi-Use Trails
More Information
Castleton University Trails Map
Trailhead
Visitor parking is behind the Stafford Academic Center in the Stafford lot (See Map)
Trail Descriptions
The Castleton University Trails are easy and well marked. There are two trails:
- Spartan Trail – 1.6 miles (green markers)
- Lady Spartan Trail – 0.3 miles (red markers), which is a connector trail in the longer Spartan Trail loop (see map).
Guidelines
- Open to the public from dawn to dusk.
- Walking, running, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing are all allowed.
- No motorized vehicles please.
- Snowmobiles are allowed on the rail trail in the winter.
- Please be respectful of private landowners and stay on the marked trails as some portions of these trails cross private land.
To Access the Trails
- Begin in Castleton Village on Main Street (also 4A).
- Starting from Castleton Village head west.
- Take the third left onto South Street.
- In about 1/3 of a mile, (just after Jeffords Science Center), take the next left into a large parking lot.
- Immediately turn right and park at the end of the smaller lot adjacent to South Street.
- The D&R Rail Trail passes just to the north of this parking lot. There is a rail trail informational kiosk about 100 feet to the east.
- To access the Castleton University trails, cross South Street and follow the D&R rail trail south. It passes to the west of the Spartan Pavilion and Stadium. There are two entrances (marked with signs). One is about 1,500 feet from South Street and the second is about 3,000 feet from South Street. See map for further details.
Other Tips
- These trails can be hiked or biked in any direction. The trails are suitable for beginner mountain bikers, joggers and those looking for an easy hike.
- The CU trails are popular. All users, please be aware and exercise caution around curves and blind turns in the trails.
- The terrain is gentle with no significant climbs. The footpath is well maintained but there are plenty of roots and rocks to watch out for.
- In the spring there may be several wet and muddy sections.
- The trails wind through forest, cross Glenbrook twice and skirt the edge of athletic fields and Glenbrook Pond. The varied environments provide for an interesting outing but there are no major overlooks or views.
- The trails are used by the University cross-country team in the fall.
Spartan Trail Work Day volunteers
Cheater's Hill
More Information
Every town needs a 10 kilometer running and walking loop!
This loop is a popular and pleasant route that uses the sidewalk along East Main Street to East Poultney, several dirt roads and the D&H Trail. The road up the hill just east of Route 30 was called Cheaters Hill in the 1800s as it allowed people to bypass the brick house that was once the toll house for the Poultney Turnpike.
The 6.5 mile loop begins and ends at the D&H kiosk on Church Street in Poultney village. If you go around the route in a clockwise direction you’ll get a good workout going up Cheater’s Hill. If you do it in a counter clockwise direction you will enjoy a nice long run down the hill.
Cheater's Hill 10K Loop Map
Delaney Woods
More Information
Enter E. Delaney Cross Road off North Street in Wells, across from the Lakeside Park, and look for the official parking area. From there, continue on foot or bike up the road for about 0.2 m, stay right and you should see the sign for SVT Rt 1 trailhead.
Description
Delaney Woods, owned by the Town of Wells, is part of the conserved Delaney Farm. Volunteers and professional trail builders constructed about 3.5 miles of multi-use single track trails over the past couple of years. The trails were designed for all kinds of HUMAN powered fun such as hiking, snow shoeing and mountain biking.
Guidelines
- Welcome sunrise to sunset - no camping
- Share the trails - bikers yield to hikers
- Practice Leave No Trace ethics, including carry out your trash
- Stay on marked trails - we went to a lot of trouble to build them
- No motorized vehicles or horses - they can damage the trails
- Hunting is allowed at Delaney Woods. Hunters may contact the Town of Wells for more information.
- Wear bright colors during all Vermont hunting seasons including, but not limited to spring and fall turkey, fall bow, rifle, and muzzleloader deer seasons
- Your cell phone may NOT have service at our trailheads, or on parts of our trail network! Familiarize yourself with the map, have a map with you, and/or have the map available offline in your mobile GPS App.
- This Trailhead has no facilities.
Delaney Woods East Trail Sign
Endless Brook
More Information
The trailhead and parking is located on Endless Brook Road across from the Lewis Deane Nature Preserve.
Description
These beautiful trails are entirely on private property and are open to the public through the landowner's generosity and their partnership with Slate Valley Trails. The majority of the trails are singletrack and designed for mountian biking. However, the trails are open to any non-motorized use including hiking, running, and snowshoeing. Once you reach the highest point on Hardy's Hill the views of Lake Saint Catherine are amazing, and so are the fast berms and rolls as you head back down the long descent. Please do not ride the trails if they are wet and tire ruts are visible.
Guidelines
- Welcome sunrise to sunset - no camping
- Share the trails - bikers yield to hikers
- Practice Leave No Trace ethics, including carry out your trash
- Stay on marked trails - we went to a lot of trouble to build them
- No motorized vehicles or horses - they can damage the trails
- No firearms or public hunting - for everyone's safety
- No camping or fires - to respect the landowner's wishes
- Your cell phone may NOT have service at our trailheads, or on parts of our trail network! Familiarize yourself with the map, have a map with you, and/or have the map available offline in your mobile GPS App.
- This Trailhead has no facilities.
Trail Descriptions
- Farm Road (0.2 mi) This short woods road connects from the trailhead to Franz's Falls Trail.
- Franz’s Falls (0.7 mi) This twisty singletrack trail is the main access point for all the other trails in the network. Expect technical steep side-hills after the long bridge over a beautiful gorge.
Rusty Bucket Loop (1.4 mi) This narrow singletrack trail loop climbs and descends through open forest, featuring many tight turns and a beautiful overlook from the summit ledge. - Hardy’s Hill (1.9 mi) This trail is recommended as an out-and-back, but can also be ridden along with Rocky Ridge or Shale Shifter to make a loop. Once you reach the highest point the views of Lake Saint Catherine are amazing, and so are the fast berms and rolls as you head back down the long descent. This trail is slightly wider and less technical than Rocky Ridge, Franz’s Falls and Rusty Bucket Loop.
- Hi Roller (0.6 mi) This is a fun, rolling trail that offers additional loop options.
- Rocky Ridge (1.1 mi) This hand built single track trail is technical, with some exposed sections, recommended for expert riders.
- Shale Shifter (1.1 mi) This trail offers a great double track option for those looking for a hill climb workout with some steep sections, or walking with a group. It can be combined with Hardy’s Hill to make a loop.
- Dayton Hill Connector (0.7 mi) This Class 4 Road and is a great way to connect from the trailhead to Hardy’s Hill, or vice versa. Please limit all parking to the designated parking lot on Endless Brook Road.
A woman hikes the Endless Brook Trails
Fairgrounds Trails
More Information
The trailhead and parking is located at 125 Town Farm Road in Poultney.
Trails on the south side of VT 140 are referred to as "Fairgrounds West" and on the north side of VT 140, as "Fairgrounds East".
Description
These new trails are entirely on private property and are open to the public through the landowner's generosity and their partnership with Slate Valley Trails. The majority of the trails are singletrack and designed for mountain biking. However, the trails are open to any non-motorized use including hiking, running, and snowshoeing.
Guidelines
- Welcome sunrise to sunset
- Share the trails... bikers yield to hikers
- Practice Leave No Trace ethics, including carry out your trash
- Stay on marked trails... we went to a lot of trouble to build them
- No motorized vehicles or horses... they can damage the trails
- No camping or fires... to respect the landowner's wishes
- Your cell phone may NOT have service at our trailheads, or on parts of our trail network! Familiarize yourself with the map, have a map with you, and/or have the map available offline in your mobile GPS App.
- This Trailhead has a porta potty, but no other facilities.
Hunting Information
The Fairgrounds property is open for deer hunting only (no other game).
Attention Hunters
The Fairgrounds property is open for deer hunting. This property is a popular recreation destination and is used by hikers and mountain bikers. Pets may be present. Hunters should familiarize themselves with the locations of trails and take extra caution.
Rules
- Hunters must follow VT Fish and Wildlife regulations.
- No vehicles are allowed on the property.
- Trapping is not allowed.
- Permanent deer stands and/or climbers are not allowed.
- Do not leave litter.
- Any field dressing must be done at least 200 feet from all trails.
Attention Trail Users
Be aware! This property is open to hunting.
Please note these safety recommendations:
- Wear bright clothing, ideally blaze orange
- Avoid hiking/riding at dawn and dusk, which are prime hunting hours.
- Keep pets in control.
- Check for current Vermont Hunting Season Dates with VT Fish and Wildlife. Pay particular attention to when Youth Deer Weekend, Bow & Arrow, Rifle, and Muzzleloader seasons are.
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The following trails are closed during rifle and muzzleloader season:
- Cliffhanger
- Freefall
- Loop-the-Loop
- Midway
- To Morse Hollow
For your own safety and out of respect for hunters, please abide by trail closures.
Howe Hill
More Information
Trailhead
Parking for the Howe Hill trails is in the parking lot next to the East Poultney Baptist Church on the green in the center of the village of East Poultney. The parking lot may be full on Sunday mornings during church service. To access the trails from the parking lot walk south across the Poultney River on to Thrall Rd. The trails start at the Howe Hill sign on the left side of Thrall Rd. about a quarter mile from the parking lot. There are no facilities provided at the parking lot.
Description
This trail network represents a partnership between two generous landowners and Slate Valley Trails. Howe Hill trails are open to walking, hiking, running, and snowshoeing when the snow falls. There are some short steep climbs on Laird's Loop, some of which may be dangerous in icy conditions. The trails consist of Laird's Loop (1.9 miles round-trip) and the Upper Loop (1.0 miles).
Guidelines
- Foot traffic only
- Welcome sunrise to sunset
- Practice Leave No Trace ethics, including carry out your trash
- Stay on marked trails.
- No motorized vehicles or horses... they can damage the trails
- No camping or fires... to respect the landowner's wishes
- Your cell phone may NOT have service at our trailheads, or on parts of our trail network! Familiarize yourself with the map, have a map with you, and/or have the map available offline in your mobile GPS App.
- Hunting occurs at Howe Hill during all seasons. The landowner does try to post alerts to warn hikers if someone is hunting, but do not expect this.
- Wear bright colors during all Vermont hunting seasons including, but not limited to spring and fall turkey, fall bow, rifle, and muzzleloader deer seasons
Howe Hill Trail Map
Mt Zion
More Information
Maps
Trailhead
This hike is in the Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park located at 321 St. John Road in Hubbardton, Vermont. It is not a developed park. There is no water, phone or other facilities. There is a single portalet. Plan accordingly and please carry-in-carry-out.
Visit the park website or call the park, 802-273-2997 for current information and directions.
A fall scene from Mt Zion of mountains and trees from a rocky outcropping
Poultney River and Rail Trail
More Information
Poultney River and Rail Trail Map
Description
The Poultney River and Rail Trail is a 3.3 mile multi-use trail around downtown Poultney, which has been under development since 2001. The trail features portions of the D&H Rail Trail, Poultney River and a corridor bordering the Poultney Elementary School.
Recently, Slate Valley Trails has partnered with the Town of Poultney, the Poultney 20/20 Committee and the Poultney-Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District to bring the plans to completion.
WINTER USE OF PRRT and D&H Rail Trail
The D&H Rail Trail and many parts of the PRRT are aligned with the VAST Trail. The D&H is open to non-motorized and motorized use in winter months. The southern most section of the PRRT is on the opposite side of the Poultney River as the VAST Trail, and the PRRT at the Elementary School is separate from the VAST Trail.
For the interactive VAST Trail Map CLICK HERE.
For VAST info, visit the Poultney Area SnoDevils website or Facebook
Poultney River and Rail Trail Map
Lewis Deane Nature Preserve
More Information
Trailhead
Go 0.8 miles down Endless Brook Road, off of Route 30, and look for a gravel parking area on the right with room for about 4 cars. It is diagonally across the road from Slate Valley Trail's Endless Brook Trailhead, and just past Toad Hall, but before the driveway for The Loon and Otter Lodge.
Description
The main attraction for many at the Lewis Deane Nature Preserve is the stunning views from St. Catherine Mountain. One can see Lake St. Catherine and beyond into the Adirondacks. From the parking, walk down the driveway to a bridge over a stream, then look for a kiosk ahead on the left at the edge of the meadow.
Yellow Trail – 1 mile one way. This is the original trail. It is shorter, and steeper, with less switchbacks. Climbing up the some rocky sections that can be slick when wet. Plan to hike 30 minutes each way.
Green Trail – ~ 1.25 miles one way. This trail is newer and has several switchbacks leading up from the meadow into the forest. It goes past a peaceful brook, as it climbs to the summit. Give yourself at least 45 minutes to hike it one way.
History
The Lewis Deane Nature Preserve is an 85-acre lot on the east side of Lake St. Catherine. It was donated to Green Mountain College in 2002 by Bill and Linda Osborne, of Poultney, but when GMC closed in 2019, the preserve has gone back to the Osborne's. This land is used by students and the community for education, research, and outdoor experiences.
Archived Lewis Deane Preserve Info from GMC's website: PDF
VISITOR GUIDELINES
All visitors to the preserve are asked to follow these guidelines:
1. Leave-no-trace: carry it in, carry it out.
2. Travel on foot only, except for handicapped access or approved management practices.
3. NO HUNTING! Wear orange during hunting season anyhow.
4. Engage in no illegal activities.
5. Camp only in designated areas.
6. Build no fires, except in designated areas.
A simple internet search will pull up a handful of blogs about the trails at the Deane Preserve. Please respect the landowner. This property was formerly owned by Green Mountain College. The trails and parking are still open to the public thanks to the current property steward.
Lewis Deane Nature Preserve Map