Champlain Bikeway

The Champlain Bikeway offers a mixed terrain. You'll find notably flat sections, especially in the Champlain Islands, with quiet shoreline roads. Other parts feature rolling terrain with moderate hills. As you venture further from Lake Champlain, the hills become more challenging, with some routes including significant climbs over mountain passes, such as the "Gap to Gap" ride, which can have over 2000 feet of elevation gain per gap. The Vermont section combines flat, rolling, and hilly terrain, including challenging ascents like Mount Philo. The Burlington Greenway, a part of the Bikeway, offers both paved and hard-packed crushed limestone surfaces.

Cyclists on the Bikeway are treated to breathtaking scenery. The routes follow quiet back roads, offering views of extraordinary mountain and countryside landscapes. You'll see peaceful country roads, charming villages, vast apple orchards, working farms, pristine brooks, rivers, and historic hamlets. A highlight for many is the continuous views of Lake Champlain, often with the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. Shoreline parks, historic sites, and museums are also abundant.

The best time to cycle the Champlain Bikeway is generally from late spring through early fall (May to October) when the weather is pleasant and all amenities are typically open. Summer offers warm temperatures perfect for lake activities, while fall provides stunning foliage views. Spring can be beautiful but may have cooler temperatures and some lingering wet conditions.

Yes, in addition to the main 363-mile route that encircles Lake Champlain and follows the Richelieu River into Quebec, the network includes 35 diverse loops and tours. These shorter options range from 10 to 60 miles in length, providing numerous choices for day trips or less extensive rides.

The route offers many points of interest. You can enjoy the scenic Burlington Greenway, take in expansive views from the Overlook Park viewpoint, and admire historic structures like the Spade Farm Covered Bridge. The Bikeway is designed around rich natural, cultural, and historic themes, allowing you to explore historic sites, museums, and picturesque towns throughout Vermont, New York, and Quebec.

A particularly unique feature is the Island Line Trail, which includes a spectacular 3-mile causeway extending into Lake Champlain. To cross a 200-foot gap in the causeway, cyclists utilize a special bicycle ferry, offering an unusual and memorable experience.

Yes, the Champlain Bikeway is part of an extensive network of bicycle routes. The principal route itself is 363 miles long, but it also integrates with and passes through sections of other trails such as USBR 7 (Vermont), Triangle Bike Route, Cross Vermont Trail, and the Island Line Trail, among others.

While specific regulations can vary by town and park along the extensive route, many sections of the Champlain Bikeway, particularly paved paths and quiet roads, are generally dog-friendly. However, it's always best to keep dogs on a leash and be prepared to clean up after them. Check local signage for any specific restrictions in certain areas or natural preserves.

Generally, no specific permits or fees are required to cycle the Champlain Bikeway itself, as it primarily uses public roads and multi-use paths. However, individual parks, museums, or attractions along the route may have their own entrance fees or parking charges. The unique bicycle ferry on the Island Line Trail also requires a small fee for passage.

The Bikeway offers numerous amenities for cyclists. You'll find well-marked routes, maps, and plenty of places to stop for food, drinks, and rest. There are connections to charming B&Bs, inns, country stores, and bicycle tour outfitters. Convenient connections to passenger rail lines and ferry crossings are also available, making logistics easier for longer tours.

Given its extensive network across Vermont, New York, and Quebec, there isn't a single main starting point for the Champlain Bikeway. Popular access points in Vermont include Burlington, which offers connections to the Burlington Greenway and the Island Line Trail. Other towns like Middlebury also serve as good starting points for various loops. Parking is generally available in these towns, often near trailheads or in public lots.