D&H Rail Trail - Southern Section

Recreating on the D&H Rail Trail provides a very scenic and enjoyable experience, as the trail winds its way along a relatively gentle grade in southwestern Vermont.
Trail Activity
Walking Bicycling Snowshoeing Horseback riding Snowmobiling Ungroomed cross-country skiing
Length
10.80 miles, One Way
Difficulty
Easy
Towns
Pawlet (VT), Rupert (VT)
Surface
Gravel/Crushed Stone/Cinder, Snow, Ungroomed
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

The D&H Rail Trail encompasses two sections of the former Delaware and Hudson Railroad that are in Vermont. These two sections are separate by a space of several miles where the old rail line crossed back into New York and then back again through Vermont.

The D&H Rail Trail is a multiple-use trail open to pedestrians, bicyclists and horseback riders in the summer and snowshoers, skiers and snowmobilers during the winter. The trail includes 17 wooden-decked bridges with 5-foot railings. The trail tread consists of the original cinder rail bed ballast and stone.

A PDF map and guide to the D&H Rail Trail is available on the VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation website.

Trail Manager

For more information on the park and the trails, visits Vermont State Parks online, or contact Rick Hedding at (802) 786-3854 or rick.hedding@vermont.gov

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation Region 2: Rutland Region

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation Region 2: Rutland Region
271 North Main Street, Suite 215
Rutland, VT 05701-2423
Phone: (802) 786-0060
View website

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation District 2: Rutland District

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation District 2: Rutland District
271 North Main Street, Suite 215
Rutland, VT 05701-2423
Phone: (802) 777-7480
lisa.thornton@vermont.gov
View website

Trail Tips

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Be prepared for emergencies. Pack extra clothing, food, and water and also a flashlight, first aid and repair kit, matches/fire starters, whistle, signaling mirror, and pocket knife.
Legend
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Trailhead Information

Trail access for the southern section of the D&H Rail Trail is available in West Pawlet Village on Egg Street and farther south at the intersection of VT-153 and Hebron Road.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
silcassano
March 12, 2021
A new gravel parking area was added in 2020 off Bentley Avenue in Poultney, just south of Main Street. It is on the east side of the trail and identifiable once you see the split rail fence.
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