Parks and Trails

The Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge consists of both active agricultural fields and non-agricultural land. It is a significant wildlife habitat. Trails allow visitors to experience the diversity of ecosystems that make up the Champlain Valley landscape. To protect wildlife, no pets are permitted in the Park (ground-nesting birds as well as other types of wildlife are vulnerable to dogs, even on a leash), nor is hunting allowed except upon action by the Charlotte Selectboard.

Trails in the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge are maintained by Charlotte Park & Wildlife Oversight Committee.

Current conditions:

The Mount Philo State Park is the first state park in Vermont. With breathtaking views of the Lake Champlain Valley and New York’s Adirondack Mountains, the park is a favorite of hikers and picnickers, and includes a small campground. Vermont State Parks has more information here.

Right behind Charlotte Central School is wonderful Pease Mountain. The trailhead has been moved to a drier area. You can park at the west end of the school parking lot and walk up along the skating rink area up to a large informational sign marking the new trailhead. This 2.6-mile network of trails consists of a short, moderate climb through the forest to a lower loop. Continue on to the upper loop to access two spectacular viewpoints.

Pease Mountain Trails are maintained the University of Vermont and the Charlotte Trails Committee.

If you’re looking for solitude in nature, check out the Plouffe Lane Trails. This 1.4-mile network of trails, featuring a meadow, river and woods, is one of Charlotte’s lesser-known natural areas. It can be found by taking Carpenter Road to Plouffe Lane. Follow the lane to the end and park your car in the designated parking area. During the winter, the lane is closed to trail user vehicular traffic.  Park instead off Carpenter Road and walk/ski up the lane to the trail system. While there, please respect the homeowners on Plouffe Lane by obeying the speed limit and all posted signs, and be sure to stop at the bench to enjoy the view of the Green Mountains.

Plouffe Lane Trails are maintained by the Charlotte Trails Committee

Raven Ridge has lovely views, cliffs, caves and exceptional wildlife habitat.

SEASONAL TRAIL CLOSURE: The ridge trail at Raven Ridge is closed from March 1- June 15 to protect nesting ravens and bobcats.  Please respect them while they are vulnerable by staying off the ridge.

The trail is managed by the Nature Conservancy in Vermont.

Charlotte’s Town Link Trail now connects Mount Philo with the co-housing development off Greenbush Road. It will eventually reach the Charlotte Beach. The Town Link Trail masterplan calls for eventually connecting East Charlotte to Mt Philo and Mt Philo to the Charlotte Town Beach. There is parking off of Route 7 on Lower Old Town Trail and at the Charlotte Ballfield.

The Town Link Trail is maintained by the Charlotte Trails Committee.

 

The Village Loop Trail wanders through woods and meadows south of Charlotte's West Village. The trail eventually will connect with the Town Link Trail and major amenities along Ferry Road in the West Village. Currently, access to the trail is from the Old Lantern Inn and Barn at the designated parking area while construction continues on the Charlotte Town Garage off of Route 7.

The Village Loop Trails are maintained by the Charlotte Trails Committee.

The Williams Woods Natural Area is a mature, valley clayplain forest, composed of white oak, red oak, red maple, white pine, shagbark hickory and white ash. It can be enjoyed as you meander along the easy 1.2-mile loop trail through this rare type of woodland. To find it, look for a sign on the western side of Greenbush Road, about a mile south of the Thompson’s Point Road intersection.

Trails in the Williams Woods Natural Area are maintained by The Nature Conservancy.