Stowe Recreation Path
Stowe, VT
The Stowe Recreation Path is a 5.3-mile (8.5-kilometer) multiuse paved greenway that runs from downtown Stowe to the covered Brookdale Bridge. It crosses over the West Branch Little River multiple times, showcasing mountain views. Popular with both visitors and locals, it is used for nonmotorized recreational activities such as walking, running, rollerblading, cycling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
The basics
The Stowe Recreation Path is a mostly flat and level trail that offers a fun, affordable, and engaging way to see Stowe’s beautiful scenery without taking a challenging hike or going too far off the beaten path. While the bulk of the main trail is ideal for more active visitors, families and picnickers may be more interested in the greenway’s Quiet Path section, which spans 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers) and is reserved for walkers and joggers only.
Things to know before you go
- Green Mountain Transit offers a free one-way winter shuttle along the pathway into Stowe.
- There are bike maintenance stations at Lintilhac Park and Chase Park.
- Multiple third-party vendors in Stowe offer bicycle rentals.
- Dogs are allowed to run off-leash on the Quiet Path, but they must remain leashed in all other areas.
- Make sure you adhere to all rules: Walkers, for example, should stick to the right to avoid bikers and stay off the groomed, cross-country skiing tracks in the winter.
How to get there
The Stowe Recreation Path has seven path entrances. Many people start at the entrance by the Stowe Community Church in downtown Stowe—you may recognize the white steeple church from fall foliage photos of Vermont. The opposite end of the path can be found near the intersection of Mountain and Brook Roads.
When to get there
Fall, especially peak leaf bloom, is when Stowe is at its most crowded. Though this shouldn’t necessarily make the trail too busy to enjoy, it may be more difficult to find parking near the trailheads around downtown. Spring is a much better time to visit Stowe, so you can enjoy the town with fewer crowds and watch spring awaken as you navigate the path.
More wandering and walking awaits nearby at Smugglers’ Notch
Less than 2 miles up Mountain Road from where the Stowe Recreation Path ends, you’ll find dozens of other scenic trails and byways. The popular Smugglers Notch Scenic Highway is nearby, as are trails leading around and up to Vermont’s highest peak: Mount Mansfield. The Bingham Falls Trail is one of the closest to the Stowe Recreation Path, has parking available, and is short enough to complete in a matter of minutes.
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