Vermont
Nature|Hiking

This Captivating Ice Trail In Vermont Is The Longest Of Its Kind In America

Vermont offers a unique winter experience with the 4.5-mile Lake Morey Skate Trail, the longest ice trail in the United States.

Published Nov 17, 2018

Written by 

Natalie Clunan

Vermont is full of outdoor activities for the wintertime. Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing just scratch the surface of what is available in the Green Mountain State. Skaters who love to take a spin around an icy pond will love tackling the Lake Morey Skate Trail. At 4.5 miles, this frozen track is the longest ice trail of its kind in the United States.

Hop onto the Lake Morey Skate Trail in Fairlee and be treated to a skating experience like none other. No more crowded indoor rinks or tiny ponds, feel the wind on your face as you glide through 4.5 miles of unparalleled winter beauty.

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TripAdvisor/Shirley S

Approach the trail in one of two ways. Skate for speed or slow down and enjoy the scenery. While you can reach quite a quick pace on this icy path, many prefer to take it easy and enjoy views of lake-front homes and quaint fishing shacks.

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TripAdvisor/john w

Nordic skating is popular in Europe and just starting to take off in the United States. The skates are longer and designed to glide over uneven ice. Use poles to help with balance or speed or hit the lake with only your skates.

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YouTube/hbroek13

Easy to learn, Nordic skating is an up and coming way to enjoy the wonderful winters of Vermont. The skating trail at Lake Morey is blissfully long, spanning from one end of the lake to the other. Take the full journey or just a portion of the trail.

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YouTube/hbroek13

Rent skates at the Lake Morey Resort skate shack on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Nordic skates are $30 and hockey or figure skates are $10. Guests of the resort can use skates for free.

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Google Images/Jolene Rambone

The lake is also outfitted with several hockey set-ups and plenty of ice just to twirl around on. The Lake Morey Skate Trail is open in the winter when ice and weather conditions permit, with the season generally beginning in early January.

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TripAdvisor/management

Check out this short video clip by YouTube user hbroek13 of the skate trail at Lake Morey.

You can find this skating trail at the Lake Morey Resort located at 82 Clubhouse Rd., Fairlee, VT 05045. You do not have to be a guest at the resort to use the trail or rinks on the lake. For more information or to check the ice report, visit their website.

Have you ever skated the longest ice trail in the United States? Share your experiences and photos in the comments section below. Now that we are headed into the colder months, you might want to check out what it takes to survive a Vermont winter.

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Nature|Hiking

The 4.5-Mile Hiking Trail in Vermont Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

Go leaf-peeping on this kid-friendly trail that leads to a waterfall and some of the best fall foliage in Vermont.

Published Oct 5, 2024

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

Autumn has long been my favorite time of the year, especially once we inch toward the peak of the fall foliage. Of all the places I’ve lived, I’ve never experienced anything quite as beautiful as the fall foliage in Vermont. We have so many ways to admire the colors, but one of the best is on a brisk hike on a crisp autumn day, and this trail promises magnificent scenery, including a waterfall.

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All Trails/ Bruce Carr

Although breathtaking at any time of the year, Lye Brook Falls Trail is one to follow at least once near or at the peak of the fall foliage in Manchester. Fall schedules are usually jam-packed, making this relatively short trek ideal. You’ll only need a little over two hours to follow the 4.5-mile moderate trail the whole family, including the littles and the (leashed) pups, will love.

While the trail can get crowded due to its popularity, you shouldn’t have trouble finding parking in the lot, which has around 20 spaces. Parking is also available along the road. The biggest challenges, depending on how you look at it, will come once you hit the trail. Be prepared for an uphill climb heading to Lye Brook Falls, which makes for an easy hike back to the trailhead, and wear sturdy, waterproof shoes to help deal with the rocky terrain and water crossings. The kiddos – and maybe even you – will likely enjoy climbing over downed tree limbs on this forest hike.

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Waterfall cascading down the rockface at Lye Brook Falls in Manchester, VT, USA

If you’re not in a hurry, take your time and soak up the scenery – chipmunks scurrying along the path; fallen leaves stuck to the ground; and mushrooms popping up. The trail's highlight is Lye Brook Falls. One of the tallest waterfalls in Vermont, Lye Brook Falls tumbles down 125 feet and is breathtaking when surrounded by the fall colors.

A word of caution: The rocks near the waterfall are incredibly slippery, so avoid climbing. If it hasn’t rained recently, you may find the waterfall is little more than a trickle, so keep that in mind before setting off.

Where is your favorite place to view the fall foliage in Vermont? Have you followed Lye Brook Falls Trail in autumn? Let us know in the comments! Not sure what to take with you when you set off? Check out OIYS’ list of hiking packing essentials. After a refreshing fall hike, you’ve probably worked up a mighty appetite. Head over to Ye Olde Tavern in Manchester, the oldest restaurant in Vermont, for a delicious bite.

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Nature|Hiking

The Stunning Top-Secret Waterfall in Vermont Almost Nobody’s Ever Heard Of

Set off on a short and sweet trail that passes over two suspension bridges and to a beautiful cascade.

Published Sep 17, 2024

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

Vermont’s natural beauty really seems endless. One of my favorite things about living in Vermont was the beauty everywhere I looked – from passing through Burlington and catching a glimpse of Lake Champlain glistening in the sunlight to driving through the Green Mountains on an autumn day. With all of the hidden gems waiting to be discovered, we’re certainly never wanting for an adventure. When you’ve got some free time, follow this pretty path that leads to a little-known waterfall in Vermont.

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Chasing waterfalls has long been one of my favorite ways to spend a few hours or an entire day, and Vermont is brimming with Mother Nature’s most breathtaking creations. The 2.6-mile Otter Creek Gorge Trail in Middlebury wanders through the woods, by a lush field, past the creek, and to a beautiful waterfall, one that’s considered little-known unless you live in the area.

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All Trails/Rob McIlwaine

Likened to a walk in the woods, which is particularly enchanting when fall’s fiery colors paint the landscape, the short but sweet trail can easily be completed in about an hour. Before you lace up your hiking shoes for a trek along this waterfall trail, though, make sure you’ve got a few things with you. In the warmer months, mosquitos swarm the area, so bug spray is essential. Lather it on and bring extra, just in case. Sturdy shoes are recommended, predominately due to the uneven terrain, in some spots, that could result in a sprained ankle, and the path can get incredibly muddy after it rains.

Rain, though, on this pretty path is actually a good thing, if you’re coming to see the waterfall. The cascade is even more spectacular after it rains. (The waterfall is just as gorgeous when frozen, so don’t count out hiking during the winter.)

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All Trails/David Wick

While the little-known waterfall is the highlight, the kid- and dog-friendly Otter Creek Gorge Trail promises even more natural – colorful wildflowers during the warmer months – and manmade beauty. You’ll also cross over two fairy-tale suspension bridges. If there’s no one else on the bridges, stop for a minute or two to admire the views and snap photos.

Have you been to this little-known waterfall in Vermont? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! If you’re up for more adventures, add these incredible natural wonders in Vermont to your bucket list, or go on a scenic hike. Find all of the best hiking trails in Vermont on All Trails.

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