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Running trails in Vermont
85 trails across 28 cities in Vermont, with the most in Burlington, South Burlington, and Colchester — including 20 natural surface, 15 loops, 8 shaded, and 1 long enough for a 5-mile run. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the Vermont trails below.
Cities in Vermont
Every city and town in Vermont with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.
- Burlington
- South Burlington
- Colchester
- Brattleboro
- Williston
- Bennington
- Essex Junction
- White River Junction
- Milton
- North Bennington
- Dummerston
- Jericho
- Shelburne
- Winooski
- Hinesburg
- Manchester Center
- Mendon
- Norwich
- Putney
- Quechee
- Richmond
- Rutland
- Shaftsbury
- St Albans City
- Underhill
- West Rutland
- Westford
- Windsor
Notable running trails in Vermont
The Vermont trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-Vermont ranking →
Waterfront Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,833 reviews
Community park on the lake featuring a boardwalk, sailing lessons & kayak & canoe rentals.
VINS Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,703 reviews
Nature center offering exhibits on birds and dinosaurs, a canopy walk, nature trails, and educational programs.
Oakledge Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 965 reviews
Located on Lake Champlain, this park has a rocky swimming beach, sports facilities & a playground.
Red Rocks Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 715 reviews
Green spot with a public beach & trails for hiking, jogging, snowshoeing & cross-country skiing.
Mt Ascutney State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 545 reviews
Park where steep trails through hardwood forests lead to panoramic views from Mt. Ascutney's summit.
Maple Street Park and Pool
4.6 ★★★★★ 534 reviews
Playground, plus a kid-friendly pool and skate park in a sprawling recreational space.
Causeway Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 489 reviews
Causeway extending into Lake Champlain noted for its biking, walking and running trails as well as views of the mountains, lake and surroundings.
Pine Hill Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 497 reviews
Many hiking & mountain-biking trails traverse this large wooded park with some scenic views.
Overlook Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 490 reviews
Popular forested park featuring a bikeable path and picnic tables, plus lookout points for lake views.
Living Memorial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 417 reviews
Recreational destination with playgrounds, pools and hiking trails, plus a dog park.
Underhill State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 363 reviews
Quaint campground featuring log lean-tos & stone fireplaces, plus hiking trails with alpine tundra.
Ethan Allen Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 366 reviews
Large, scenic historic area with shady trees & many trails, plus the Ethan Allen tower.
Airport Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 351 reviews
Popular recreation area featuring picnic tables, playgrounds, and trails. Bike trail.
Niquette Bay State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 326 reviews
Pet-friendly destination with hiking trails, beach, cove & scenic vistas open summer to early fall.
Fort Dummer State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 278 reviews
Hiking, camping & picnics amid striking forest & mountain vistas, at the site of a noteworthy fort.
Mills Riverside Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 263 reviews
Outdoor space featuring picnic tables, trails for hiking and sledding and off-leash areas for dogs.
The Salmon Hole on the Winooski River
4.4 ★★★★☆ 228 reviews
Picturesque waterfront park featuring fishing, swimming and a riverside trail.
Lake Shaftsbury State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 158 reviews
State park featuring a lake with swimming, a beach, and a playground, plus hiking trails and boat rentals.
Centennial Woods Natural Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 160 reviews
65-acre nature preserve with forests & streams, plus hiking trails & rustic boardwalks.
The Mile-Around Woods
4.8 ★★★★★ 143 reviews
Hikes through pastures and woods for people and dogs with views of the countryside.
Hogback Mountain Conservation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 135 reviews
Nature preserve featuring hiking trails and scenic views, plus a museum.
Shelburne Bay Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 131 reviews
Kid- and dog-friendly hiking area featuring scenic lake views and picnic tables.
Sucker Brook Hollow Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 130 reviews
Marked trail for hikers to reach a lookout with bench seating and valley views.
Milton Town Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 126 reviews
Popular destination featuring numerous walking trails and a pond for fishing.
Prospect Rock Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 107 reviews
Steep trail to a rocky overlook of the valley, plus a waterfall and streams along the way.
LaPlatte River Nature Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 89 reviews
Nature preserve featuring trails for walking and hiking that are suitable for children.
Winooski Gorge Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 95 reviews
Small park featuring forest trails that lead to river panoramas as well as views of the gorge.
Rossignol Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 86 reviews
Park featuring a playground, picnic areas, baseball and basketball courts, and tennis courts.
No trails match those filters.
Vermont trails by surface
Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.
More ways to find a trail in Vermont
- Best running trails in Vermont — the state-wide ranking from runner reviews
- Loop trails — 15 in Vermont come back to the trailhead without backtracking
- Long-run trails (5+ miles) — 1 in Vermont are long enough for a proper long run
- Shaded trails — 8 in Vermont keep tree cover over the path for summer miles
- Lit trails — 3 in Vermont have lighting for pre-dawn and post-work runs
- Trails with restrooms — 14 in Vermont, and 6 with water fountains
- Trailhead parking — 47 in Vermont have parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly trails — 32 in Vermont you can run with a dog
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible — 15 in Vermont are smooth and wide enough
- Scenic trails — 55 in Vermont runners single out for the views
- Browse by surface — paved, crushed limestone, natural dirt or boardwalk
- All trail features — loops, shade, lighting, restrooms, mile markers and more
- Running trails by state — the rest of the country
- Trail-running guides — surfaces and your knees, loop vs out-and-back, trail etiquette, running before dawn
Trail features in Vermont
- Scenic Running Trails
- Trails with Trailhead Parking
- Dog-Friendly Running Trails
- Quiet, Uncrowded Trails
- Stroller & Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
- Loop Trails (No Backtracking)
- Hilly Trails & Hill Workouts
- Trails with Restrooms
- Shaded Running Trails
- Flat & Fast Running Trails
- Trails with Water Fountains
- Trails with Mile Markers
- Lit Trails for Early & Night Runs