Grand Isle VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Grand Isle, Vermont.
1. Grand Isle State Park Ironwood Nature Trail
WOODLAND LOOP AND TOWER
The Grand Isle State Park Ironwood Nature Trail offers a gentle, one-mile loop hike through mature woods featuring ironwood trees and wetlands. The trail is considered easy and is accessible to campers at the park, with highlights including a 15-foot observation tower and unique bedrock formations. Hikers can enjoy the tranquil forest setting and occasional lake views through the trees.
2. Island Line Trail Recreation Path
LAKE CHAMPLAIN CAUSEWAY
The Island Line Trail Recreation Path is a scenic, multi-use rail trail that stretches across Lake Champlain, connecting the Lake Champlain Islands to the mainland. This mostly flat route is great for beginner hikers and cyclists, offering panoramic lake and mountain views with unique causeway segments over the water. The highlight of the trail is the open vistas and breezes while traversing the historic marble causeway.
3. Butternut Hill Natural Area
WOODS AND LAKE VIEWS
Butternut Hill Natural Area features a mile-long, easy trail winding through floodplain forests and cedar-pine woodlands to a peaceful shale beach on Lake Champlain. This trail is perfect for families and offers accessibility for most skill levels, with little elevation gain. Hikers enjoy serene forest scenery and a breathtaking southerly view of the lake at the trail's end.
4. Fox Hill Trail
VINEYARD VIEWPOINT WALK
Fox Hill Trail is a short and moderately challenging uphill hike that rewards visitors with spectacular views of the Island Line Trail, Snow Farm Vineyard, and Lake Champlain. The trail, located at Snow Farm Vineyard, provides a pleasant mix of open fields and wooded path. Its proximity to the vineyard makes it popular for pairing nature walks with wine tastings.
5. Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve
PREHISTORIC FOSSIL TRAIL
Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve offers short, easy hiking trails through a globally significant fossil site containing 480-million-year-old marine fossils embedded in limestone. This preserve is well-suited for families and educational trips, with interpretive signs along the way. Visitors are treated to fascinating geological history and peaceful, natural island scenery.
6. Knight Point State Park Trails
SHORELINE AND FOREST WALKS
Knight Point State Park features easy trails that meander through hardwood forests and along Lake Champlain's shoreline, making this park suitable for all skill levels. The paths provide several relaxing spots to enjoy the scenery and picnic. Key highlights include peaceful woodland settings and lake access for wading or birdwatching.
7. Sand Bar State Park Nature Trail
WETLANDS AND WILDLIFE
Sand Bar State Park's nature trail provides an easy walk through wetlands teeming with birds and aquatic life, ideal for families and beginner hikers. The route is mostly flat and short, emphasizing opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. The park's sandy shoreline also allows for relaxing picnics after a brief stroll.
8. Lookout Mountain Loop via Wilmington Trail
CHALLENGING MOUNTAIN LOOP
The Lookout Mountain Loop via the Wilmington Trail is a challenging 9.3-mile hike in Adirondack Park with significant elevation gain and rewarding summit views. This rugged trail is best suited for experienced hikers comfortable with longer distances and rough terrain. Key draws include panoramic vistas over the surrounding mountains and remote forest landscapes.
9. Eagle Mountain Trail
QUIET FOREST SUMMIT
Eagle Mountain Trail in Milton presents a moderate woodland hike that gently ascends to one of the highest points in Chittenden County, offering lookout views over Lake Champlain and the islands. The trail weaves through mixed hardwood forests, providing seasonal color and birdwatching opportunities. It is accessible for most skill levels seeking a medium-length, rewarding outing.
10. Niquette Bay State Park Trails
BLUFFS AND BAY VIEWS
Niquette Bay State Park offers a network of interconnected trails ranging in difficulty from easy to moderate, featuring forest, bluff, and shoreline segments. Hikers can choose routes leading to overlooks with sweeping vistas of Lake Champlain and access to secluded pebbly beaches. The park is ideal for both casual walkers and adventurers seeking extended hikes in a scenic setting.