Island Line Trail
Along the edges of Lake Champlain is a scenic 12-mile trail that extends from downtown Burlington north through Colchester onto the Causeway. It's a multi-use trail so you will see walkers, runners, inline skaters and bikers. It's wide enough and relatively flat so jogging strollers or burlees are do-able for the little ones.
Note: it is paved with the exception of 5 miles in Colchester.
Along the way, don't miss:
- Union Station
- ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Museum
- Oakledge Park
- North Beach
- Leddy Park
- Auer Family Boathouse
- Airport Park
If you just want a 1-3 mile jaunt, park on Mills Point Road (see Google map) and take the trail out onto the causeway into the middle of Lake Champlain. It truly is one of the most spectacular trails that you don't want to miss. There is a bike ferry that runs seasonally - see schedule here.
Check out the Island Trail Map from Local Motion.
Here is a list of public bathrooms along the route:
- Mile 0 Oakledge Park, Bathroom
- Mile 2.5 Burlington Community Boathouse, Bathroom
- Mile 4.0 North Beach Boathouse, Bathroom
- Mile 5.0 Leddy Park (in arena), Bathroom
- Mile 8.5 Airport Park, Bathroom
- Mile 13 Fish & Wildlife Access Area, Port-o-let
- Mile 17 Snow Farm Winer, Port-o-let
- Mile 16 White's Beach, Port-o-let
- Mile 17 Seb's French Fries, Port-o-let
Reviews
- June 17, 2014"All of these reviews are for the Causeway portion that extends out into the lake which, no question, is sheer magic but there are lots of other great places too the views from the straightaway between Oakledge and Perkins Pier, for example. Or, the public beach access across from Northgate Apartments down steps to a lesspopulated beach covered in heaps of driftwood that mean hours of play for the kiddos. Or the Auer Family Boathouse with snacks and boats down by the Winooski Bridge. The Winooski Bridge and the little bridges just past it on the Colchester side. We spend most of our summers on this path!"- dolly
- August 22, 2013"We just recently started getting the family and the bike riding in the past is great. There's great views in the trail is always clean. its relatively flat for easy ride specially for smaller children. There's lots to do along the way it makes for great day trip."- bluebingo
- June 9, 2013"The causeway has been completely rebuilt and restored after the extensive damaged caused by the spring floods 2 years ago. The path is slightly wider and the surface improved, better than ever! This is a great place to enjoy the lake views, a great walk or ride. Check it out!"- EarlyRizr
- July 5, 2012"We just got home from taking this bike path from the airport park in Colchester. I am writing this review because I don't want anyone to waste their time or gas money going out there. The path is very short due to wash outs and has 2 huge dumpsters in the middle of it, where we had to take our son out of the Charriot so we could get him safely across the path. Also the path is LOADED with poison ivy so watch out. Overall I would say that this was probably and excellent place to go before the flooding in 2011, but it has a lot of work that needs to be done before it can be back to what it was. Don't waste your time!"- sfabrizio
- March 4, 2010"Imagine a path built out of large chunks of marble, rock and dirt that are high enough to literally allow you to walk on water. That path is formally known as Colchester Causeway Park and this is absolutely the best bike path in all of Northern Vermont! It is so unique. This particular stretch of the packed gravel path takes you right out into lake makes you feel like you are biking or walking on water. The view is spectacular. You can take in all of the natural beauty of Vermont, the lake and mountain views surround you. Because it is so flat kids of all ages can bikewalk it with ease. Or you could push them in a jogging stroller or tote them behind you in a burlee. Not much, if any shade at all, so remember your sunscreen. And lots of snacks and water!"- missmagpie
- June 17, 2008"This is a GREAT way to spend time this summer! We decided to opt for the short route by parking on Mills Point Rd. Not only was the recommendation and site's instructions to get there perfect and made it so easy, but the experience was so fantastic! My two 9yearolds rode the trail out to the ferry stopping point no ferry yet! with ease, my 6yearold did it and it was a stretchwork for her, but she was completely able. Butterflies were flying everywhere, we saw very large turtles soaking up the sun on logs on the way out, and the large marble boulders on the sides were the perfect size to lay on while we snacked and refueled. A bonus I ran the thing while my kids rode their bikes, so I got a workout in too! Round trip running time was 58 minutes hey, I was keeping up with my youngest! and overall was about 1 12 hours since we headed back due to a Thunderstorm rolling in. This was a great way to kick off the summer. Bring sunscreen, it's largely open food and water if nature calls, you may want to pack some t.p. since there are no amenities around...and I recommend a stop on the way back into Burlington at the Burlington Bay Market for the best Cremee's going!"- twincoastlove
- May 6, 2008"With the lake on both sides of you it's a unique and beautiful biking or walking experience! Local Motion has operated a bike ferry across the causeway opening during summer weekends, which lets you bike all the way to South Hero! Check Local Motion for ferry schedule, it changes each year."- marlin
- March 4, 2008"We usually just park in the lot mentioned above and take the path out to the causeway. Great for cooling off on hot summer days many places to jump in the lake or an easy stroll very flat to get some exercise and take in the beautiful views of the lake and mountains. An absolute VT gem."- ceb
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