This easy walk begins and ends on the D&H Rail Trail, but is mostly on Castleton University property with public access.  It has a wide variety of habitats, including marsh, hardwood, white pine, hemlock forests, a shrubby clear-cut and athletic fields.  It is marked with green and white SVT square plastic markers.  There are a few seasonal wet spots.

Cue Sheet

• From the gate  on South Street, proceed southwest on the D&H Trail.  
• At mile 0.4 mile turn right onto the Spartan Loop.  After crossing a bridge the trail emerges from the forest onto the edge of athletic fields and then makes a sharp left back into the woods.  
• At 0.7 miles bear left onto a double track road that goes uphill to the right.  The trail passes along the edge of a wetland and a small pond and then comes out into the fields at 0.9 miles.  Walk along the edge of the pond past the dam, then along trees until the trail turns left and crosses a stream in a deep ravine.  
• At 1.0 miles turn right at the trail junction with the Lady Spartan Trail.  The Lady Spartan Trail to the left cuts off a section of the trail with interesting bird habitat and shortens the route.  After running along the ravine, the trail comes out into an old clear-cut which has a dense regrowth of small trees and shrubs.  
• At 1.4 miles the trail re-enters the forest.  Shortly after this the Lady Spartan Trail re-enters from the left.  
• At 2.1 miles, turn left onto the D&H Trail and return to the start at 2.7 miles.