Chickadee Trail Challenge

The Chickadee Trail Challenge was created in 2025 as a complement to existing trail challenges in the region, including our own NEK Mountain Trail Challenge. Most popular trail challenge lists consist of mountain peaks— the Chickadee Trail Challenge list focuses on short, family-friendly accessible trails which highlight some of the amazing natural ecosystems that can be found in our region.

Trails range from bog boardwalks to mountaintop vistas to beautiful boreal forests, and are perfect for family outings, with wide treads and low grades that make them easy to navigate. Not only that, but we can almost guarantee you have a chance to see a friendly black-capped chickadee at every one, and if maybe even a rare boreal chickadee at a one or two—if you are lucky!

1. All Persons Trail, East Charleston
2. Boreal Forest Trail, Island Pond
3. Moose Bog Trail, Wenlock
4. Black Branch Boardwalk, Bloomfield
5. Yellow Branch Boardwalk, Lewis
6. Mollie Beattie Bog Boardwalk, Lewis
7. Lewis Pond Boardwalk, Lewis
8. Lewis Pond Overlook, Norton
9. Damon’s Crossing UA Trail, Victory
10. Darling State Park UA Trail, Burke
11. Mt Pisgah South Trail Boardwalk, Westmore
12. Willoughby South Beach Access Trail, Westmore
13. Sentinel Rock State Park UA Trail, Westmore
14. Bluffside Farm Recreation Trail, Newport

All Persons Trail, East Charleston

• Trail width: 4.4′ – 6′
• Length: 0.88 miles
• Grade: typical < 8%, max 12%, with rest areas
• Cross slope: typical <3%, max 5%
• Surface: compacted stone, wooden boardwalk. Groomed snow in winter.
• Parking: flat, gravel, ADA reserved spot
• Kiosk: yes, at trail head across from Lodge entrance
• Restrooms: yes, during Lodge hours
• Dogs allowed

Description: This trail provides a rolling tour of the NorthWoods campus, looping through the forest, over Lang Brook, through a red pine plantation and past a small pond with an accessible fishing pier. ADA parking leads to a trail kiosk with information about campus trails. Check out the NorthWoods Lodge for access to restrooms and natural history displays during business hours.

Notes: This trail is groomed for xc skiing, snowshoeing and adaptive equipment in the winter. Winter adaptive equipment available – contact NorthWoods for more information.

Reviewed: June, 2025

Boreal Forest Trail, Island Pond

Brighton State Park

• Trail width: 4ft-6ft
• Length: 0.3 mi
• Grade: most <4%, up to 15%
• Cross slope: <2%
• Surface: crushed stone with stone edging, boardwalk
• Parking: signed ADA parking next to ranger station
• Kiosk: yes, at trail head, includes trail map. Ask at check-in station for audio tour device.
• Restrooms: accessible, available at campground

Description: This charming little trail provides a fun accessible loop through varied forest terrain, with interpretive signage and a sensory/audio tour available. Interpretive signs are well placed within the habitat, and spell out the name of the trail as you follow the loop starting to the right. Rest stop pull-outs are available near grade changes, and a bench provides a spot for folks to take a break overlooking a wetland.

Notes: The audio tour device is a nice feature – simply turn it on and touch the pen to the sign to hear a pleasant narration of the text at each stop.

Reviewed: August, 2025

Moose Bog Trail, Wenlock

Wenlock Wildlife Management Area

• Trail width: 3′-4′
• Boardwalk minimum width: 3.5′
• Length: 1 mile (out and back)
• Grade: rolling, mostly < 10%, with up to 15% grade in the descent to boardwalk
• Cross slope: mostly < 3%
• Surface: compacted stone, boardwalk
• Parking: flat, gravel, no ADA designated space
• Restrooms: no

Description: This trail is a gem, a lengthy out-and-back Universal Access trail, relatively close to the main road and providing access to the spectacular Moose Bog in the Wenlock Wildlife Management Area – a fantastic spot for viewing rare birds, wildlife, and bog plants specific to the unique boreal ecosystem of the Nulhegan Basin. The terrain is rolling, with varied grade, but with included flat rest areas to take a break. The viewing platform has built-in benches, and a 40″ high railing. Visit this trail in May-June to see the strange and beautiful blooms of rare bog plants like Purple Pitcher Plants, Labrador Tea and Tussock Cottongrass. Visit near dawn or dusk (but drive carefully) for the chance to see this trail’s namesake: the moose!

Notes: Watch out for the occasional root growing into the trail surface, and be prepared for the relatively steep switchback descent from the main trail down to the boardwalk.

Reviewed: June, 2025

Black Branch Boardwalk, Bloomfield

Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge

• Trail width: 4′ 10″ wide boardwalk
• Length: 250 ft
• Grade: <4%
• Cross slope: <3%
• Surface: gravel parking lot, boardwalk with 40″ high railing
• Parking: flat, pull off on side of Stone Dam Rd
• Kiosk: at the Refuge entrance at Stone Dam Rd, off Rte 105
• Restrooms: no

Description: This short raised boardwalk trail winds gently through a dark conifer-dominated forest and emerges to a peaceful overlook on the distinctive tea-colored waters of the Black Branch of the Nulhegan River — naturally colored by the area’s tannin-rich soils. Benches with adaptive-friendly arm rests are built into the platform and an interpretive panel describes efforts to restore native trout to this and other rivers in the Basin.

Notes: At the time of visitation, a recently downed tree had damaged a portion of the boardwalk railing. The debris was removed, but be aware that these trails are remote and USFWS understaffing may delay repairs.

The Nulhegan Basin area is remote, with no nearby services, very little traffic, and limited to no cell phone reception. The Refuge’s roads are not plowed in the winter, and depending on conditions, higher clearance/AWD vehicles may be advised. Whenever you are going to a remote area, remember to tell someone where you are headed. Be aware that logging trucks may frequent the dirt roads, and have the right of way. Call the visitor’s station for current status of roads and trails: (802) 962-5240 x 112

Reviewed: June, 2025

Yellow Branch Boardwalk, Lewis

Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge

• Trail width: 4′ 9″ wide boardwalk
• Length: 72 ft
• Grade: <3%
• Cross slope: <3%
• Surface: gravel road/approach, boardwalk with 40″ high railing
• Parking: very small pull over on the side of Lewis Pond Rd, just after the intersection with Eagle’s Nest Rd.
• Kiosk: none on site – kiosk is at the Refuge entrance at Stone Dam Rd, off Rte 105
• Restrooms: no

Description: At only 72 feet long, this is the shortest of the ‘trails’ on our list, but a great wildlife viewing spot and a complement to the other trails in the Conte Refuge. An interpretive panel provides information on wetlands and beavers. Sit on one of the two built-in benches with a set of binoculars and keep an eye out for wildlife—like most beaver wetlands this is a hotspot of activity most times of year—when we visited in August, the water was low, and a trail of very recent bear tracks wound along the muddy river bank.

Notes: At the time of visitation, the ground sloping up to the start of the boardwalk was eroding a little, creating a 2″ lip onto the boardwalk and uneven ground which could require extra effort if using a wheeled mobility device.

The Nulhegan Basin area is remote, with no nearby services, very little traffic, and limited to no cell phone reception. The Refuge’s roads are not plowed in the winter, and depending on conditions, higher clearance/AWD vehicles may be advised. Whenever you are going to a remote area, remember to tell someone where you are headed. Be aware that logging trucks may frequent the dirt roads, and have the right of way. Call the visitor’s station for current status of roads and trails: (802) 962-5240 x 112

Reviewed: August, 2025

Mollie Beattie Bog Boardwalk, Lewis

Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge

• Trail width: 4′ 7″ wide boardwalk at narrowest
• Length: 200 ft
• Grade: mostly <3%, a 3ft section of gravel connecting road to boardwalk is ~5% slope
• Cross slope: <3%
• Surface: gravel approach, boardwalk with 40″ high railing
• Parking: A large, flat, gravel turnaround area across the road from the trail head.
• Kiosk: none on site – kiosk is at the Refuge entrance at Stone Dam Rd, off Rte 105
• Restrooms: no

Description: This sensitive 20-acre lowland black spruce bog is a gem for naturalists, supporting an array of rare plants and animals including pitcher plants, rhodora, boreal chickadees, black backed woodpecker and gray jays, all of which you have a chance of seeing from the large viewing platform, depending on your timing.

This trail was named for influential forester, conservationist and first woman director of the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, Mollie Beattie. Mollie was a Vermont resident for much of her life, serving as the VT Commissioner of Forests Parks & Recreation and the deputy of the VT Agency of Natural Resources before becoming director of the USFWS.

Notes:

The Nulhegan Basin area is remote, with no nearby services, very little traffic, and limited to no cell phone reception. The Refuge’s roads are not plowed in the winter, and depending on conditions, higher clearance/AWD vehicles may be advised. Whenever you are going to a remote area, remember to tell someone where you are headed. Be aware that logging trucks may frequent the dirt roads, and have the right of way. Call the visitor’s station for current status of roads and trails: (802) 962-5240 x 112

Reviewed: August, 2025

Lewis Pond Boardwalk, Lewis

Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge

• Trail width: 4′ 7″ wide boardwalk at narrowest
• Length: 275 ft
• Grade: mostly 3-5% slope
• Cross slope: <3%
• Surface: gravel approach, boardwalk with 40″ high railing.
• Parking: flat gravel area across from trail head and before fishing access ramp
• Kiosk: none on site – kiosk is at the Refuge entrance at Stone Dam Rd, off Rte 105
• Restrooms: no

Description: This peaceful gem of a trail is the perfect spot for a quiet picnic with the loons and moose. Birch and beautiful old cedar trees line the winding boardwalk as it follows the water’s edge, then opens up to a large viewing platform with 3 built in benches, looking west and north over the 68-acre pond to Gore Mountain.

Notes: The parking area is shared with the fishing & boating access ramp which follows a cobbled road down into the water for launching non-motorized boats.

The Nulhegan Basin area is remote, with no nearby services, very little traffic, and limited to no cell phone reception. The Refuge’s roads are not plowed in the winter, and depending on conditions, higher clearance/AWD vehicles may be advised. Whenever you are going to a remote area, remember to tell someone where you are headed. Be aware that logging trucks may frequent the dirt roads, and have the right of way. Call the visitor’s station for current status of roads and trails: (802) 962-5240 x 112

Reviewed: August, 2025

Lewis Pond Overlook, Norton

Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge

• Trail width: 61″
• Length: 207 ft
• Grade: <3%
• Cross slope: <3%
• Surface: gravel
• Parking: small slightly sloping parking lot, includes a signed ADA parking spot
• Kiosk: yes, including a map of the Kingdom Heritage Trail System an information on the National Wildlife Refuge system
• Restrooms: no

Description: This short overlook trail sits on the northern edge of the Refuge, offering long distance views overlooking the Basin, including its notable spruce swamps and lowlands, and the mountains to the south. A short, edged gravel path passes by a kiosk and emerges onto a rounded overlook, lined with 17″ high granite blocks and with three granite-block benches. While Lewis Pond was at one time visible from this view point, over the years the growth and recovery of the forest has mostly obscured views of the lake.

Notes: The Kingdom Heritage Lands lie to the north, with the Gore Mountain East trailhead beginning a short ways back along the road.

The Nulhegan Basin area is remote, with no nearby services, very little traffic, and limited to no cell phone reception. The Refuge’s roads are not plowed in the winter, and depending on conditions, higher clearance/AWD vehicles may be advised. Whenever you are going to a remote area, remember to tell someone where you are headed. Be aware that logging trucks may frequent the dirt roads, and have the right of way. Call the visitor’s station for current status of roads and trails: (802) 962-5240 x 112

Reviewed: August, 2025

Damon’s Crossing Universal Access Trail, Victory

Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area

• Trail width: 1′ – 6′
• Length: 0.15 miles
• Grade: < 5%
• Cross slope: < 3%
• Surface: compacted stone, boardwalk, grass
• Parking: flat, gravel, no ADA designated space
• Restrooms: no
• Cell service: 2 bars ATT

Description: This trail accesses the remote and beautiful Victory Bog and Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area (WMA) at Damon’s Crossing on River Road and was created as a Universal Access trail in 2020. A 0.15 mile long trail passes over two curbed boardwalks to a viewing platform (43″ high railing) with Leopold benches, overlooking the bog. A great spot to look for bird and wildlife watching — keep an eye out for moose! An unmaintained footpath continues from the end of the viewing platform, further into the bog.

The kiosk provides a map of the larger WMA property and basic information about land usage.

Notes:

• Limited use and maintenance means some accessibility features have degraded over time. The trail which leads from the parking area and kiosk into the forest has grown in with tall grasses, shrinking the trail area from an original 6 ft width to about 1 ft for about a 50ft distance until it reaches the trees, where it widens back out.
• The second boardwalk has a 3″ lip from the trail to the boardwalk surface which might be difficult for some adaptive equipment users. The boardwalk and viewing platform are in excellent shape as of this review.

Reviewed: June, 2025

Darling State Park Universal Access Trail, Burke

Darling State Park

• Trail width: 5′
• Length: 142′
• Grade: up to 10%
• Cross slope: <6%
• Surface: crushed stone
• Parking: wide paved area beneath the summit lift tower, no signed ADA spot
• Kiosk: yes, at trail head.
• Restrooms: accessible, available at campground

Description: The steep drive up the Burke Mountain toll road is worth it for the amazing views and glimpse of some alpine habitat. This short trail zig-zags down a short steep slope to a southerly view among ancient stunted evergreens to the mountains beyond. A non-ADA Leopold bench provides a place to rest at the overlook. This trail connects to the non-ADA Summit Trail and from there to other hiking trails on the mountain.

Notes: Adaptive equipment users use caution, as the steep grade and wear of this trail may make it difficult to navigate. This trail is only accessible by car via the paid Burke Toll Road ($5/car). The road provides stunning views of Willoughby Gap.

Reviewed: August, 2025

Mt Pisgah South Trail Boardwalk, Westmore

Willoughby State Forest

• Trail width: 4′ – 5′ 7″
• Length: 470′
• Grade: typical <6%, max 10%
• Cross slope: <3%
• Surface: crushed stone, boardwalk
• Parking: gravel, level, no ADA
• Kiosk: yes at trailhead, with infopanels
• Restrooms: no

Description: While the full Mt Pisgah Trail provides a moderate to challenging climb up to the popular Pisgah summit, the first section of trail provides a pleasant out-and-back ADA access to two wetland overlooks with built in benches. The wetlands provide an opportunity for birdwatching and wildlife viewing – try visiting near dawn or dusk to avoid the crowds and for a chance to see or hear some local wildlife.

Notes: Mt Pisgah is one of our region’s most popular hiking trails – try visiting during the week and at dawn or dusk and be prepared for full parking lots on holiday weekends.

Reviewed: August 2025

Willoughby South Beach Access Trail, Westmore

Willoughby State Forest

• Trail width: 5’6″-6′
• Length: ~600′ of ADA
• Grade: typical 5%, max 8%
• Cross slope: <2%
• Surface: crushed stone
• Parking: gravel, 3 ADA spots
• Kiosk: yes with info panels about state lands and visitor guidance
• Restrooms: portalettes, including ADA

Description: A series of recently improved short trails provide easy access to the well known Lake Willoughby South Beach. Access is from the circular car drop off or larger nearby parking area. To the east, a boardwalk loops down to the sand beach, and to the west, a winding slope leads up to a viewing platform over the lake.

Notes: Some sections of this beach access has steps, but these can be circumvented using the boardwalk. The South Shore trail, to which this network connects, is not ADA accessible, but is gentle in grade and continues around to the west side of the lake. Lake Willoughby is extremely popular with tourists, so be prepared for a full parking lot during peak times.

Reviewed: August 2025

Sentinel Rock Access Trail, Westmore

Sentinel Rock State Park

• Trail width: 2′-6′
• Length: 422′
• Grade: up to 7%
• Cross slope: <2%
• Surface: crushed stone
• Parking: gravel
• Restrooms: no

Description: On a clear day this trail is sure to please any visitor with sweeping panoramic views of Lake Willoughby and mountains to the south (try a visit at sunset!). From the upper parking area, the trail runs a short distance to Sentinel Rock— a huge glacial erratic perched on the hillside. Interpretive signage describes the interesting geologic and human history evident at the site. The trail narrows and continues past the boulder and up to a perched knoll with an accessible picnic table.

A larger network of gentle but non-accessible hiking trails continue from this one, looping through the forest and old homesite, and leading to two other parking areas further down the hill.

Notes: The trail to the picnic table is of a steeper grade for about 12′ as it ascends, and may provide difficulty for some accessibility devices.

Reviewed: July 2025

Bluffside Farm Recreation Trail, Newport

VT Land Trust’s Bluffside Farm

• Trail width: 7.5′ – 10′
• Length: 0.9 mi (one way), ~2 mi out-and-back
• Grade: most <5%, up to 9%
• Cross slope: <3%
• Surface: gravel, pavement, boardwalk
• Parking: gravel
• Kiosk: yes, at trail head
• Restrooms: no

Description: This broad, almost mile-long stretch of recreational trail at Bluffside Farm winds through beautiful meadows lined with towering oaks, and across a sweeping boardwalk with views of Lake Memphremagog and a bulrush/cattail wetland before connecting to Prouty Beach. This broad path provides a perfect setting for a social walk with friends only a short distance from downtown Newport. A pollinator garden next to the parking area includes names of native plants in Abenaki and French, as well as their common English and scientific names.

Notes: This trail is a section of the Newport Bike Path which continues north to the Canadian border. A bike tool station can be found next to the parking area. In the winter this path is groomed for cross-country skiing.

Reviewed: August, 2025