D&H Rail Trail

The Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail is a 19.8-mile multi-use trail following a former railroad corridor in western Rutland and Bennington Counties of Vermont. The trail follows the historic D&H Washington Branch, whose trains were known locally as the "Slate Picker" due to their role serving the region's slate quarrying industry. The trail exists in two sections: one extending between Castleton and Poultney, and another between West Pawlet and Rupert. The corridor was converted to recreational use after the Delaware & Hudson Railroad abandoned the line in 1980. The Vermont Agency of Transportation acquired the railbed from Poultney to Castleton and from Rupert to Granville, New York, subsequently converting it to a recreational trail. The D&H Rail Trail showcases Vermont's railroad heritage while providing a valuable recreational resource for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians.

The D&H Rail Trail corridor provides important wildlife habitat as a linear greenway connecting diverse ecosystems across western Vermont. The trail passes through a mosaic of forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands that support varied wildlife communities. White-tailed deer frequently cross the trail, and their tracks are commonly observed along the path. Songbirds including warblers, thrushes, and woodpeckers inhabit the adjacent forests, with the trail edge providing brushy habitat favored by many species. Small mammals such as chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits are regularly encountered by trail users. Wetlands along the corridor support amphibians including frogs and salamanders that breed in vernal pools and permanent wetlands. The trail's wooden-decked bridges spanning streams and wetlands provide views of aquatic habitats where brook trout and other fish species may be observed. Raptors including red-tailed hawks hunt the open areas adjacent to the trail.

The D&H Rail Trail passes through diverse plant communities characteristic of Vermont's western piedmont region. Northern hardwood forests with sugar maple, yellow birch, and American beech dominate the upland sections, while red maple, ash, and elm grow in wetter bottomland areas. Eastern hemlock and white pine contribute a coniferous element to the mixed forests. The trail corridor itself supports early successional vegetation including shrubs and herbaceous plants that colonize disturbed ground. Wetlands along the route feature cattails, sedges, and other moisture-loving plants that provide important wildlife habitat. Wildflowers bloom throughout the growing season, with spring ephemeral species giving way to summer and fall displays. The trail edges provide habitat for pollinators including butterflies and native bees that utilize the flowering plants. Former agricultural lands adjacent to the trail display varying stages of forest succession as old fields transition back to woodland.

The D&H Rail Trail traverses a landscape underlain by the distinctive slate, marble, and other metamorphic rocks that have shaped the economy and culture of western Vermont. The railroad was known locally as the "Slate Picker" because of its importance in transporting slate from the quarries of the region. Slate forms when shale is subjected to intense pressure and heat, causing clay minerals to recrystallize into flat, parallel plates that give the rock its characteristic splitting properties. The Vermont slate belt extends along the western edge of the state, with Poultney and surrounding communities historically serving as centers of the slate industry. Marble quarries in the Dorset and Danby areas also contributed to the region's stone industry. The trail's relatively level grade reflects the original railroad engineering, which followed stream valleys and avoided steep grades unsuitable for locomotive operations. The original cinder rail bed ballast and stone that formed the railroad foundation now provides a stable trail surface.

The D&H Rail Trail experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons characteristic of western Vermont. Summers are warm and humid, with average high temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit. Winters are cold with substantial snowfall, transforming the trail into a popular route for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The trail's location in the Champlain Valley and adjacent piedmont means it is somewhat moderated by the lake's influence, with milder temperatures than the higher elevations to the east. Annual precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, with slightly higher amounts during summer thunderstorm season. Fall brings spectacular foliage displays as the surrounding hardwood forests transform through shades of yellow, orange, and red. Spring thaw can make sections of the trail muddy, while the frozen conditions of winter provide firm footing for snow-based recreation.

The corridor now occupied by the D&H Rail Trail has served human transportation needs for over 150 years. The Delaware & Hudson Railroad constructed the Washington Branch to serve the slate quarrying and agricultural industries of western Vermont and eastern New York. Trains on this line were known locally as the "Slate Picker" due to their primary cargo of roofing slate from the quarries around Poultney and nearby communities. The slate industry flourished from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s, with Vermont slate prized for its quality and durability. Communities along the railroad grew with the industry, and the train provided vital connections to markets in Albany, New York City, and beyond. As the slate industry declined and automobile transportation increased, railroad traffic decreased. The Delaware & Hudson Railroad abandoned the Washington Branch in 1980, ending over a century of rail service but opening opportunities for recreational reuse.

Following the abandonment of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad's Washington Branch in 1980, the railroad sold sections of the line to various parties. The Poultney-Castleton and Rupert-Granville segments were acquired by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, which subsequently converted them to recreational trails as part of the state's rail trail program. This conversion preserved the historic railroad corridor while adapting it for new recreational uses. The trail officially opened as part of the Vermont State Parks system, managed by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The Vermont Rail Trail program continues to develop and maintain the trail network, providing valuable recreation opportunities while preserving railroad heritage. The 17 wooden-decked bridges of various lengths along the trail demonstrate the engineering challenges overcome by the original railroad builders and subsequently maintained for trail users.

The D&H Rail Trail offers 19.8 miles of wide, level pathway suitable for walking, jogging, cycling, and horseback riding. The trail's stable surface of original cinder rail bed ballast and stone provides excellent footing in most conditions. Seventeen wooden-decked bridges of various lengths add scenic interest and carry the trail across streams and wetlands. The northern section between Castleton and Poultney passes through varied landscapes including forests, wetlands, and open farmland. Trail access in this section is available at Castleton State College, along Main Street in Castleton, and in Poultney village adjacent to the old train station on Depot Street. The southern section between West Pawlet and Rupert offers similarly attractive scenery. Access for this section is available in West Pawlet village on Egg Street and at the southern terminus at the intersection of Route 153 and Hebron Road. Winter users enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling on groomed sections.

The D&H Rail Trail provides multiple access points along its 19.8-mile length. In the northern section, trail access is available at Castleton State College, along Main Street in Castleton, and in Poultney village adjacent to the historic train station on Depot Street. The southern section access points include West Pawlet village on Egg Street and the intersection of Route 153 and Hebron Road at the Vermont-New York border. Parking is available at the major trailheads. The trail has no entrance fees. No camping facilities exist along the trail itself, but commercial campgrounds and lodging are available in nearby communities including Castleton, Poultney, and Pawlet. Restroom facilities are limited along the trail corridor, with public facilities available in the adjacent villages. The trail is open year-round for non-motorized uses in summer and both non-motorized and snowmobile use in winter on designated sections.

The D&H Rail Trail exemplifies the rails-to-trails movement that converts abandoned railroad corridors into recreational trails, preserving these linear landscapes as greenways that provide both recreation and conservation value. The trail corridor serves as a wildlife corridor, allowing plants and animals to move across the landscape and maintaining genetic connectivity between populations. Wetlands along the trail are protected as important ecological resources that filter water, store floodwaters, and provide habitat for diverse species. The Vermont Rail Trail program maintains the trail surface and bridges to minimize erosion and protect adjacent water resources. The preservation of the railroad heritage, including bridges and railbed construction, maintains connections to the region's industrial and transportation history. User education encourages responsible trail behavior including staying on designated surfaces, properly disposing of waste, and respecting adjacent private property. The trail contributes to sustainable transportation by providing alternatives to automobile travel for local trips.