These trails near the village of Wilmington offer a range of options for walking, hiking, and biking.
The Riverwalk starts at the west edge of the village, at Reardon's Crossing, a pedestrian bridge over the Deerfield River. At the far end of the bridge, the flat, improved-surface trail follows the river past the old Vermont Barnboard factory, now renovated as the area's transit system garage and headquarters. Excellent interpretive panels tell the fascinating history of the businesses in this building over the years. You soon come to a small bridge. Here, you can return to the village for a total distance of a half mile, a pleasant stroll during that can be combined with a visit to village's many shops and restaurants. You can also continue across a bridge to a trail junction where the Riverwalk splits into two narrow, more primitive footpaths that form a small loop that takes 5 minutes to walk. At the top of the loop is the Hoot, Toot, and Whistle Trail (see below). Hikers can turn right and follow this trail for 1.5 miles to Harriman Reservoir, or turn left and reach Mill Street in 0.5 miles. From here, you can walk the streets back to the village center.
The Hoot, Toot, and Whistle Trail utilizes the abandoned railroad bed of the Hoosac, Tunnel, and Wilmington Railroad. The railroad's initials, HT&W, were displayed on their locomotives and cars, and inspired locals to bestow their humorous nickname to the line. This trail is flat and easy walking or biking. You can access the HT&W trail from the Riverwalk, or from Mill Street.
The 0.7-mile Beaver Brook Trail hugs a section of Beaver Brook as it flows south into Wilmington and the Deerfield River. It it a level trail appropriate for those who want a more leisurely walk and don’t necessarily need to be deep in the woods. Beginning at Buzzy Towne Park on South Main Street, the trails continue onto the gravel path just beyond the basketball courts. With the river ecosystem dominating on the right, the path winds behind the town athletic facilities and Old School Community Center, ending at the sidewalk on East Main Street.
For more information, visit the Town of Wilmington online, or contact:
Town of Wilmington Trail CommitteeWest Main Street Parking Lot
You can use this free public parking lot for the Riverwalk and Hoot, Toot, and Whistle Trails. From the traffic light, go west on VT-9 and signs on the left will direct you to this parking lot. Walk back to VT-9 then west to Reardon's Crossing pedestrian bridge.
South Main Street Parking Lot:
You can use this free public parking lot for the Beaver Brook, Riverwalk, and Hoot, Toot, and Whistle Trails. It is one block south of the traffic light on the east side. To reach the Hoot Toot, and Whistle Trail's Shafter Street trailhead, walk south across the bridge and turn right onto Shafter Street. Turn left onto Mill Street and continue to the trailhead for the Hoot, Toot, and Whistle Trail on the left. Blue arrows on village street utility poles guide the way.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
