Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail
VT · Poultney / Castleton / West Pawlet
Depot St Trailhead, Poultney, VT 05764
The Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail is the kind of route riders choose when they want the pleasure of moving through the landscape without technical demands stealing the spotlight. In Poultney / Castleton / West Pawlet, it feels less like checking off a trail and more like stepping into a ride with real atmosphere. What makes it memorable is the balance between beauty and utility. The arrival feels straightforward, the landscape quickly opens up, and the route delivers a satisfying sense of movement rather than a flat, one-note outing.
Riding guide
Highlights
An easy southwestern Vermont ride with classic rail-trail pacing and excellent appeal for riders who like calm, uncomplicated miles.
Riding
The riding here is relaxed and linear in the best way, ideal when you want conversation, cadence, and scenery to lead the experience. A roughly 19.8-mile gravel-and-dirt rail trail with easy grades, ideal for relaxed mileage and shared-use riding through southwestern Vermont. Rather than technical mountain riding, the appeal is in the easy grade, the steadiness under hoof, and the freedom to shape the day around distance. It is especially good for conditioning rides, mixed-experience groups, or any trip where you want a calm, confidence-building trail rather than a demanding one.
Rideable terrain
19.8 miles
Trailer parking
State trailhead parking is available in Poultney and other access towns; trailer suitability depends on the specific lot, so select your access point with care.
Horse regulations
Use designated access points, follow shared-use etiquette, and observe trail-specific guidance for horses, parking, and surface protection.
Getting here
The Delaware & Hudson is one of those places where the arrival is pleasantly uncomplicated, letting you get mounted and moving without much ceremony. State trailhead parking is available in Poultney and other access towns; trailer suitability depends on the specific lot, so select your access point with care. For riders traveling with their own horses, a little pre-trip route planning goes a long way. This is one of those Vermont destinations where arriving prepared makes the whole day feel smoother—especially if you are hauling a larger rig or visiting in shoulder-season conditions.
Planning your visit
Especially good for conditioning, younger trail horses, and days when you want simplicity more than technical adventure. Trail maps and current conditions are worth checking before you leave home.
Where to stay
This trail pairs naturally with inn stays in the Castleton–Poultney corridor and works well as part of a broader southern Vermont or Taconic travel loop.
Trails
No trails synced for this park yet.
Campgrounds
No campgrounds listed for this park.
Photos
Stay near this park
No horse-friendly stays listed near Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail yet. Know a great barn or property? Help fellow riders by listing it.
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