How to use the interactive map below:
Click the “sign post” icon at the bottom left to see the trail segments
Zoom in with the + and - icons to explore the trail segments
Click on the pins to see more info on each segment, and click the trail name to open a new window on the Trail Finder website
To find more than 50 miles of other trails in the Mad River Valley, head over to Trail Finder and search the map.
Dogs on the Path
We looooove dogs, and to protect our beloved furry friends, other trail users, landowners, and the trails themselves, it’s the Mad River Path’s policy (and the policy of our towns) to keep dogs leashed when on public trails and pathways. Seriously, please keep your dog leashed! Also be sure to pick up after your pup when nature calls—this is very important. To make it easy, we provide free dog poop bags at six trailheads. Believe it or not, unleashed dogs and dog poop left along trails are two of the most significant reasons why a trail is closed or is cited to why a landowner is not interested in hosting a new section of trail. Thanks for your help with keeping our trails open, safe, and clean!
WELCOME TO MAD RIVER PATH
The Mad River Path Association operates 15 miles of valley-floor trails in Warren, Fayston, and Waitsfield. While the Path can be characterized as easy trails, accessible to most users in all seasons, the majority of them are minimally improved and are not ADA-accessible. The path surface varies from mowed grass and natural forest floor to compacted gravel, boardwalks, and pavement. MRP is used for running, biking, dog walking, bird watching, commuting, accessing the Mad River, and connecting to other trails and recreational assets. While the MRP is working towards its mission of connecting Warren, Waitsfield, and Moretown with a continuous path, the existing trails are described below in 11 separate sections
MAD RIVER PATH TRAIL GUIDE (moving downstream on the Mad)
1. WARREN PATH
Warren Path – From the trailhead at the Brooks Recreational Field in Warren the Path heads in two directions: North is a wide, easy trail following an old logging road through a beautiful hardwood forest. It is a 1 mile (out and back) through Eaton Town Forest is studded with dramatic boulders, rock outcroppings, and a gorgeous rock bridge. The South path (0.5 mile) goes around the Brooks Recreational field, behind the school, down the hill, and connects Brooks Field with Warren Village. Parking and seasonal bathrooms are available at the Rec Field Trailhead.
Vista Trail - The Vista Trail begins at the Northern end of the Warren Path. This vigorous and often steep 0.5-mile trail leads to a beautiful perch overlooking back over the Warren Village and surrounding mountains.
Interpretive Trail - The Interpretive Trail begins from the trailhead and consists of a 0.5-mile loop with signage that highlights a variety of natural features and the history of the area.
2. RIVERSIDE PARK TO SNOWMAKING POND LOOP
A 2.5-mile round trip path that circles Sugarbush’s snowmaking pond. Begin at Riverside Park, head north over the Clay Brook bridge and along the Mad River. You’ll cross under Route 100’s Kingsbury Bridge and follow the dirt road to a gate where you’ll soon head up into the woods. Be sure to follow the signs and stay right or you’ll end up climbing Plum Line (a downhill mountain bike trail) into the mountains (but if you want to go for miles, head up Plum Line to find a large network of trails maintained by Mad River Riders!). The Path travels around the snowmaking pond and offers swimming access to the river. Parking is available at Riverside Park and Wabanaki Recreational Area.
3. CLOUD WATER FARM
This mowed 0.3-mile trail is a continuation of the Snowmaking Pond Path that follows the edge of the Cloud Water Farm. Enjoy the workings of the sustainable agroforestry farm and river access. There is no parking here, so you’ll need to walk from the Wabanaki Recreation Area or Riverside Park trailhead to the south.
4. YESTERMORROW PATH AND LOOP
Crossing VT-100 you’ll enter a 0.3-mile mowed section of the Path that connects the Cloud Water Farm to the northern boundary of Yestermorrow’s property. The path winds along the edge of a meadow and through campus. Stemming off this path is a one-mile strenuous trail loop on the hill above campus! Limited Parking is available at Yestermorrow School.
5. AUSTIN WALK
This 0.5-mile trail connects the Mad River Riders Trails Network with the Rec Hub with access to swimming and fishing at Lareau Park. From the American Flat Bread Trailhead crossing under the Route 100 bridge, the trail enters the swimming and fishing area and then continues between the river and the highway through a beautiful floodplain forest. At the fork, take a right to get to the Austin Floodplain restoration site and river access. Take a left and proceed along the VT 100 for 100 yards, reconnecting with the Fiddlers Walk Trail at the Butcher House Drive.
6. FIDDLER’S WALK
This easy 1.3-mile trail connects shopping and services in Irasville and downtown Waitsfield with the Trail Hub and the Welcome Center. It travels through beautiful forests to a picnic area by the Mad River. Parking is available at the Trail Hub and Mad River Green. From the Trail Hub, follow the signs South, around the field, past the new trail bridge, and across VT 100. Follow the path along Dugway Rd, then turn on Butcher House Drive; the path takes a right through the woods and reemerges by the river at the laundromat. Continue along the river to a picnic area and up the steep hill to the cemetery. From here you can turn right through the cemetery to access the Mehurons supermarket and shopping plaza, or left to Irasville Common. Cross the VT-100 to connect with services at Mad River Green and the Heart of the Valley Trail.
7. HEART OF THE VALLEY
This 1.5-mile path connects the villages, providing access to virtually all services in Irasville and Waitsfield. Starting at the Mad River Green Trailhead follow the well-marked Path North to the Boardwalk through an active beaver meadow with access to Lawsons Finest Liquids. Turn right on Carrol Rd, cross VT-100. From here continue on the sidewalk and turn right at the Maclay Architects building. The path will lead you to the top of the old Earthen dam, dating back to the ice-cutting era. You will emerge at Bridge Street Park with its unique compilation of a town beach, a picturesque covered bridge, and quaint cafes and boutiques. From Bridge Steet Park turn left and follow the signs through the Bridge Steet shopping and dining area. Turn right on the Main Street towards the General Wait House, where the Path ends. Parking and restrooms are available at the Wait House, Bridge Street Park, and many locations along the path.
8. WAITS WAY
This 0.5-mile path continues behind the Wait House and the Waitsfield Elementary School and follows the fields along the Mad River, ending on VT-100. Parking, public bathrooms, and picnic shelter are available at the Wait House.
9. MILL BROOK TRAIL
This 3.9-mile trail starts less than a mile west of Irasville off of VT-17. The Mill Brook Trail is a rugged trail with a lot of rocks, roots, bridge crossings, and some steep areas. Parking is at a handful of locations: The Swanson Inn, off Tucker Hill Road, The Tucker Hill Inn, and across from the Fayston Elementary School on German Flats Road. The trail is almost entirely forested with beautiful trees and frequent wildlife sightings. An on-road section is currently required between the Tucker Hill Inn and the top of Harris Hill Road, and again for a couple hundred yards on German Flats Road. You can access many more miles of trails once you reach Fayston’s Chase Brook Town Forest (explore the Trail Finder website to learn more) which are maintained by Mad River Riders and the Fayston Conservation Commission. The Mill Brook Trail is co-located with the Catamount Trail through the Chase Brook Town Forest.
10. SPAULDING GREENWAY
The 1-mile Spaulding Greenway is set in between the farm fields and the riparian restoration area on a newly conserved 70-acre meadowland along the Mad River. There is parking at the East Trailhead. You can walk 0.4 miles back to where you started from the exit at the West Trailhead along Trembley Road. This trail is protected by a conservation easement held by our partners at the Vermont Land Trust.
11. WEST GREENWAY
The 1.2-mile West Greenway starts at the trailhead parking off Meadow Road, just below Route 100, and continues along the Mad River to the VT-100 across the 1824 House (there is no exit at the 1824 House, so plan an out-and-back trip). Along the way, the path passes several river access points and a picnic gazebo. You’ll find beautiful views of Sugarbush’s upper ski trails and the Monroe Skyline of the Green Mountains. To the west, you can see the Hartshorn Organic Farm and maple sugaring operation. Bring your swimwear or fishing rod if you would like to have some fun in the river. The West Greenway is protected by a conservation easement held by our partners at the Vermont Land Trust and a trail access easement held by the Town of Waitsfield.