Hiking the abandoned railroad beds through Vermont provides easy strolls with fantastic scenery. These hikes are family-friendly even for the youngest of kids. We have a favorite rail trail that hugs a lake giving way to wonderful water views. Let’s take a look at the spectacular Beebe Spur Rail Trail, which is easily one of the best hikes in Vermont. You’ll want to add it to the to-do list as soon as you can.
Following the defunct Connecticut and Passumpsic Rivers Railroad line, the Beebe Spur Rail Trail stretches from Newport to the Canadian border.
TrailLink/bobwhite
Begin your journey at the south end of the trail in Newport. You’ll pass a small pond where you’ll catch a glimpse of a much bigger body of water in the background.
TrailLink/bobwhite
The gravel path is just four miles in length and hugs the shore of Lake Memphremagog for most of the way. Take in the expansive scenic water views.
TrailLink/bobwhite
Near the northern end of the trail before the three-mile mark, there is an informational kiosk. Enjoy a break at the picnic table and drink in the majestic scenery of blue water against the mountain backdrop.
TrailLink/bobwhite
The rail trail then ambles away from the lake and passes the northern parking lot for the pathway. You’ll arrive in residential Derby, which is no longer a border crossing. Enter Canada by walking 1 1/2 miles to Beebe Road.
TrailLink/bobwhite
During any season, the trail is a great spot to take a break. Fall foliage explodes in a stunning palette of color in the autumn.
TrailLink/Beth Barnes
During snowy months, the old railroad trail is often used for cross country skiing and fat tire biking.
TrailLink/Beth Barnes
Stroll the flat gentle surfaces of this rail trail for a scenic hike that is a great fit for any age. And as you take in the stunning Lake Memphremagog, keep your eyes peeled for the legendary monster that might be lurking beneath the surface.
TrailLink/Google Maps For more information on the locations of the trailheads, visit the TrailLink website.
Have you ever hiked the Beebe Spur Rail Trail? There are plenty of trails to explore in Vermont and some of our favorites are this waterfall staircase hike, this short overlook trail, and this ice bed trail. Which hikes in Vermont do YOU think are the best hikes in Vermont? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
TrailLink/bobwhite
TrailLink/Beth Barnes
TrailLink/Google Maps
For more information on the locations of the trailheads, visit the TrailLink website.
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Address: Newport, VT 05855, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Vermont March 18, 2022 Tori Jane What are some wonderful kid-friendly hikes around Vermont? Here at Only In Your State, we enjoy giving readers ideas for their entire family, not just the adults, to enjoy; one of our favorite things to do with families, especially ones with younger children, are Vermont’s awesome kid-friendly hiking trails. There are lots to choose from; of the more than 700 trails weaving all over the state, many of them are short, sweet and to the point – aka, perfect. We’re big fans of Thundering Brook Falls Trail, in Killington, which is just under half a mile long and very easy thanks to the fact that it’s a nice, flat boardwalk you follow to the 125-foot Thundering Brook Falls. Then, check out Burton Island State Park for its wonderful nature trails, of which there are two (and both of which are great for families with young kids). That one is particularly educational, too, and if you enjoy learning as much as we do, you’ll love it! Meanwhile, in the town of Stowe, check out Bingham Falls Trail. It’s one of Vermont’s most impressive waterfalls, and all it takes is a short, easy, 0.2-mile hike to reach it. Need more inspiration? Check out this list of some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Vermont. What are the most scenic hikes in Vermont? Vermont is a hiker’s dream come true if you ask us. With almost 1,000 awesome trails to take your pick from, you’ll probably never get bored. Most of the hikes in Vermont are pretty scenic, but there are ones that do tend to end up on the “best of” lists again and again, like the hike up Mount Pisgah. The reward at the end of the hike? Some of the most amazing mountaintop views in the entire state, if not on the whole east coast. It’s tough, with a 1,500-foot elevation gain over a short distance but believe us when we say the effort is very much worth it. Camel’s Hump Trail is often called THE most scenic hike in the state, and it’s tough, but also worth it for the views. We also suggest looking into Sterling Pond Trail (Smuggler’s Notch State Park, 2.3 miles, moderate), and the hike to Equinox Mountain and Lookout Rock is also a must-do (Green Mountain National Forest, 6.3 miles, hard).
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Vermont
March 18, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some wonderful kid-friendly hikes around Vermont? Here at Only In Your State, we enjoy giving readers ideas for their entire family, not just the adults, to enjoy; one of our favorite things to do with families, especially ones with younger children, are Vermont’s awesome kid-friendly hiking trails. There are lots to choose from; of the more than 700 trails weaving all over the state, many of them are short, sweet and to the point – aka, perfect. We’re big fans of Thundering Brook Falls Trail, in Killington, which is just under half a mile long and very easy thanks to the fact that it’s a nice, flat boardwalk you follow to the 125-foot Thundering Brook Falls. Then, check out Burton Island State Park for its wonderful nature trails, of which there are two (and both of which are great for families with young kids). That one is particularly educational, too, and if you enjoy learning as much as we do, you’ll love it! Meanwhile, in the town of Stowe, check out Bingham Falls Trail. It’s one of Vermont’s most impressive waterfalls, and all it takes is a short, easy, 0.2-mile hike to reach it. Need more inspiration? Check out this list of some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Vermont. What are the most scenic hikes in Vermont? Vermont is a hiker’s dream come true if you ask us. With almost 1,000 awesome trails to take your pick from, you’ll probably never get bored. Most of the hikes in Vermont are pretty scenic, but there are ones that do tend to end up on the “best of” lists again and again, like the hike up Mount Pisgah. The reward at the end of the hike? Some of the most amazing mountaintop views in the entire state, if not on the whole east coast. It’s tough, with a 1,500-foot elevation gain over a short distance but believe us when we say the effort is very much worth it. Camel’s Hump Trail is often called THE most scenic hike in the state, and it’s tough, but also worth it for the views. We also suggest looking into Sterling Pond Trail (Smuggler’s Notch State Park, 2.3 miles, moderate), and the hike to Equinox Mountain and Lookout Rock is also a must-do (Green Mountain National Forest, 6.3 miles, hard).
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Here at Only In Your State, we enjoy giving readers ideas for their entire family, not just the adults, to enjoy; one of our favorite things to do with families, especially ones with younger children, are Vermont’s awesome kid-friendly hiking trails. There are lots to choose from; of the more than 700 trails weaving all over the state, many of them are short, sweet and to the point – aka, perfect. We’re big fans of Thundering Brook Falls Trail, in Killington, which is just under half a mile long and very easy thanks to the fact that it’s a nice, flat boardwalk you follow to the 125-foot Thundering Brook Falls. Then, check out Burton Island State Park for its wonderful nature trails, of which there are two (and both of which are great for families with young kids). That one is particularly educational, too, and if you enjoy learning as much as we do, you’ll love it! Meanwhile, in the town of Stowe, check out Bingham Falls Trail. It’s one of Vermont’s most impressive waterfalls, and all it takes is a short, easy, 0.2-mile hike to reach it. Need more inspiration? Check out this list of some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Vermont.
What are the most scenic hikes in Vermont?
Vermont is a hiker’s dream come true if you ask us. With almost 1,000 awesome trails to take your pick from, you’ll probably never get bored. Most of the hikes in Vermont are pretty scenic, but there are ones that do tend to end up on the “best of” lists again and again, like the hike up Mount Pisgah. The reward at the end of the hike? Some of the most amazing mountaintop views in the entire state, if not on the whole east coast. It’s tough, with a 1,500-foot elevation gain over a short distance but believe us when we say the effort is very much worth it. Camel’s Hump Trail is often called THE most scenic hike in the state, and it’s tough, but also worth it for the views. We also suggest looking into Sterling Pond Trail (Smuggler’s Notch State Park, 2.3 miles, moderate), and the hike to Equinox Mountain and Lookout Rock is also a must-do (Green Mountain National Forest, 6.3 miles, hard).
