Lamoille Valley Biking Exploratory Adventure

“Discover quintessential Vermont Along New England’s longest rail trail.“

official vermont website

Imagine waking up each morning to crisp Vermont air, rolling green hills, and the smell of fresh coffee beckoning you onward. The Lamoille Valley Biking Rail Trail — a gently graded, crushed-stone rail trail spanning 94 miles across northern Vermont — winds through peaceful farmland, shaded woodlands, quiet towns, and along rivers and lake shores. The ride feels timeless: the land seems to move with you, and with each pedal stroke you sink deeper into the rhythm of countryside life.

History and Importance of the Trail

The trail follows the former rail line of the St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain Railroad, later operated by the Lamoille Valley Railroad. Built in the late 1800s, the line connected farms, forests, and small towns across northern Vermont, running roughly from St. Johnsbury westward toward Lake Champlain. In addition to linking the small towns, the railroad delivered the mail and transported umber, granite, milk, and agricultural goods.

In some ways, the trail serves similar purposes today. At 94 miles, the trail goes almost the entire way across northern Vermont, from Lake Champlain to within 10 miles of the New Hampshire border. The towns up here are small, the largest of which in the area is St. Johnsbury at less than 8,000 people. Rather than shipping freight and delivering mail, the trail now connects these communities culturally via people power. You are part of this history when on the trail.

About Lamoille Valley Biking

We actually use not one but two long rail trails: The Lamoille Valley Biking trail is 94 miles long and it intersects with the 26-mile long Missisquoi Valley Trail. Both trails are primarily on old railroad beds so the trails are mostly 10-feet wide, crushed stone or gravel, car free, and flat or with only a modest grade. We bike approximately 20 miles on our first half day, 30 miles on day two, 40 miles on day three, and 30 miles on day four, with day five being a departure day. Because we are not in a hurry, these distances are moderate enough for most bikers and relatively easy on e-bikes.

The scenery varies, including peaceful dairy farms with friendly cows, cool forest sections where the dappled sunlight dances across the path, quiet bridges overlooking sparkling streams, and lakes and ponds reflecting the sky like mirrors. Every few miles, small Vermont villages — like Morrisville or Johnson — offer chances to stop for a snack, refill water, or explore a bakery or micro-brewery. You can decide when and where to stop: for a great photo, ice cream, a farm stand, a maple syrup shop, and more.

The Vermont Towns

Most of the towns along our route are too small to have any lodging options at all. We have chosen four locations for our overnight stays that provide good mileage distances and pleasant lodging. St. Albans is located near the shores of Lake Champlain and blends small-town charm with a lively historic downtown. Often called the “Rail City” for its 19th-century railroad roots, it’s a welcoming gateway to northern Vermont. Jeffersonville is tiny but full of character, sitting at the base of Smugglers’ Notch and feeling like a postcard come to life. St. Johnsbury feels like a cultural hub tucked into the Northeast Kingdom; it’s larger than the other two towns with a vibrant main street and a great place to finish our tour. We also spend one night at a Vermont lodge located in the countryside.

Your Guide

“Allan’s passion for creating an active travel company that is centered around the participants’ wants and needs clearly shows.”

What is an Exploratory Adventure?

Our Exploratory Adventures are first-run tours to less-traveled destinations in small groups, generally led by our founder and owner Allan Wright. Vermont is obviously highly visited but the Lamoille Valley Biking Trail is new, having officially opened only as of October of 2023. Plus, the trail itself is still relatively unknown and the entire region of northern Vermont, outside a few towns like Stowe, is relatively unvisited. It is perfect for exploration.

When we run an Exploratory Adventure, we have done a ton of research on the destination including activities, lodging, transportation, etc. These tours are fully set up and ready to run. However, they are also the first time we have run a tour in that specific location, which tends to make it more adventurous. On this tour we will have our lodging, breakfasts, dinners, luggage transfer, and routes all pre-determined but we will be free to make our own decisions about where to stop, whether to take short detours, and what to do in the evenings. You will be essentially scouting this tour with Allan, enjoying the excitement of exploration that comes with our first-run tours.

Come join us on this Lamoille Valley Biking Exploratory Adventure in 2026!