Island Line Trail, Burlington VT

• 5-star trails
• 6 to 27 mile options
• Easy | Minimal gradient
• Burlington, VT | Northwest Region
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A cyclist wearing a pink sleeveless shirt and black shorts rides a bicycle along a narrow, light-colored gravel trail running directly through the middle of a vast body of blue water under a clear, bright sky. Large gray rocks line both edges of the causeway, while distant green trees and blue mountains frame the horizon.

Cycling the causeway north of the city of Burlington.

The Rutland Railroad engineers who drove a line straight into Lake Champlain in 1899 were solving a freight problem, not planning a recreational trail. Built to shorten the route toward Canadian markets and bypass a competing line, the corridor never turned a reliable profit. Following a strike in 1953, passenger service was discontinued and the line was abandoned altogether in 1963. After sitting unused for decades, local advocates converted the historic right-of-way into the Island Line Rail Trail, linking downtown Burlington to the Champlain Islands.

While the full trail spans over 13 miles from Oakledge Park south of downtown Burlington to South Hero Island, this review focuses on its most remarkable stretch - the 3.2-mile northern section running from the free parking near Airport Park to the south dock of the seasonal bike ferry.

⬤ Asphalt ⬤ Hardpack ⬤ Road

Trail Options Expand KMZ · Google Earth ·

⏹ 5★ Island Line Causeway 3.2 mi each way, easy, minimal gradient
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

⬤⬤⬤ Island Line Rail Trail 13.4 mi each way, easy, minimal gradient
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

P Expand map for more parking

On clear days, the causeway provides open, uninterrupted views in all directions. Looking east, Vermont's Green Mountains rise up, with Mount Mansfield — the state's highest peak — prominently visible on the horizon. To the west across Lake Champlain, the Adirondack skyline traces the New York shoreline. Because there is virtually no tree cover along this stretch, both mountain ranges remain visible for nearly the entire crossing.

The hardpack, crushed-stone surface is firm and manageable on most breeds of bicycle, though loose stone can gather in patches, particularly after severe storms. Minimal elevation gain makes for an easy ride, but once on the causeway proper, the trail is completely exposed, offering open water views and providing no shade for the remainder of the route.

A cyclist rides away from the camera along a shaded, paved trail surrounded by dense green trees and foliage, with dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy onto the path where other cyclists and pedestrians can be seen farther ahead.

The Causeway section begins in the shade.

Near South Hero Island, a 200-foot cut breaks the causeway to allow boat traffic to pass through Lake Champlain. During peak season, cyclists and pedestrians can ride the donation-funded bike ferry across the gap to complete the full route. The ferry crossing takes only a few minutes, operating daily through the summer and on weekends and holidays in the spring and fall. Even when the ferry is not running, the causeway is well worth the trip, as reaching South Hero Island beyond the gap is not necessary to experience the best section of the trail.

Three free parking areas sit close to the causeway, and the primary highlighted route begins at the closest lot. If that lot is full, head for Airport Park (directions), which offers a large parking lot, public restrooms, a playground, and picnic areas. Open our expanded map to see all free and paid parking options along the entire trail - complete with driving direction links - so you can choose the ideal starting point for your trip.

⚠ Trail Conditions: Hardpack surface from Airport Park and along the causeway. Minimal elevation gain.