Ice Skate Into This Vermont Cave For A Most Surreal Winter Adventure

Vermonters enjoy winter to its fullest taking advantage of every opportunity to play in the snow before the spring thaw. While hitting the slopes and the trails are amazing everyday adventures, you might want to try something a little different. The frozen landscape affords the opportunity to visit the Donahue Sea Caves. Normally only accessible by canoe or kayak, during the winter you can ice skate right into this otherworldly wonder.

Google Images/Jeff R

The Donahue Sea Caves is actually just one cave, located in Burlington. The cave entrance is shaped like a keyhole, a mysterious black opening in the rock when you view it from afar. Lapping against the entrance and inside the cave are the waters of a pond. To reach the Donahue Sea Caves, you must kayak or canoe in during the warmer months. During the winter when the pond is frozen, you can explore the cave by ice skating right into it.

Google Images/Jeff R

Enter through the large keyhole opening and it's like gliding into another world. The rock is a beautiful dolostone made up of the bodies of marine organisms and other sediments. The rock was formed around 500 million years ago when Vermont was covered by a tropical ocean.

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Stunning ice formations hang from the ceiling of the cave where dripping water has frozen in time. It feels like a private world where colors are vibrant and the echo is wonderful. Twisting rock walls are almost unbelievable in their natural beauty.

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Google Images/Jeff R

Access the Donahue Sea Caves by using the trailhead on North Avenue, directly opposite the Burlington High School. A small sign alerting visitors to the cave can be seen just north of the bus stop across the road. Take the trail down the hill to the pond. Remember, to access the cave you'll need a kayak, canoe, or thick ice for skating.

Did you know about the Donahue Sea Caves? Have you ever been inside? Vermont is full of adventure and places to explore and a few of our other favorites include this dramatic bridge trail, this Nordic ice skating spot, and this enchanting treehouse park.