D&H Rail Trail and Gravel Loop

 June 30, 2024

Ann and I headed over to Castleton to ride the D&H Rail Trail Saturday morning. It was a warm summer day and I was happy to be on the bike with someone equally as happy to be riding with me. 

The trail is nice and open 

with an assortment of farms on the east side with an different types of cattle. 

The trail gets a little grown in halfway between Castleton and Poultney

Continuing past Poultney I wanted to see how far into New York the trail extends because some maps throw it goes through while others do not. 

At the border …

the trail is pretty overgrown 

and a 100 yards further is blocked

We tried it and I was nervous about ticks the whole time. 

Rode back to Poultney and got a beer at the Stewart Shops

Checked out Analog Cycles and Bike Shop. They make custome 29er drop bar mountain bike/gravel frames and bikes. An interesting concept that I have wanted to try. 

Riding past the rail trail we headed out on VT Route 140 to West Poultney and then turned north onto Hillside Road

First Dirt, the rail trail not withstanding, began on Lewis Rd

It had that smooth VT Pavé everyone raves about 

Some interesting homesteads along this road. 

Vermont homesteads are defined as a resident's principal dwelling and surrounding land, which must be declared annually by April 1st to the Vermont Department of Taxes (.gov) to qualify for specific tax rates. These properties often feature self-sufficient lifestyles, including organic gardening, livestock, and, in many cases, off-grid living, supported by the state’s fertile land and, this guide suggests solar, wind, and hydropower options.

Prior to crossing over the Rail Trail as we rode back towards Castleton we passed this cool barn next to the side of the road. 

Lewis Road crosses over the Rail Trail and runs parallel and is still dirt. 

And there’s some more cows

John Deere or Farmall?

We rode Sand Hill Road and after crossing under the trail we turned into a driveway that pit us back on the Ra Trail again. There was a woman next to the house the driveway served and she gave a friendly wave so it seems this is a public entrance to the Rail Trail.