The Island Line Trail — Biking to the Edge of Vermont (and Beyond)
The Island Line Trail follows a 19th-century railroad bed for 14.4 miles along Lake Champlain, from the Burlington waterfront to South Hero on the Champlain Islands. The causeway section puts open water on both sides of you simultaneously. A seasonal bike ferry crosses the 200-foot gap where the old drawbridge once stood. There is nothing else quite like this ride in New England.
Fourteen Miles of Lake and Sky
The trail starts at Oakledge Park on Burlington’s south end — or from the waterfront near the ECHO Center if you want to begin closer to downtown. The surface is paved through Burlington, then transitions to compacted crushed limestone on the causeway section. Both surfaces are suitable for any bike; road bikes handle the paved sections cleanly, and any tire handles the crushed stone with ease.
The first several miles wind through Burlington’s lakeside neighborhoods and parks — a pleasant warmup with intermittent lake views. Then the trail reaches the causeway proper, and the landscape changes completely. You are suddenly on a narrow stone corridor with open Lake Champlain on both sides. The Adirondacks fill the western horizon; the Green Mountains roll behind you to the east. On a clear summer morning, it looks less like a bike path and more like cycling on the surface of the water.
The causeway runs 3.3 miles out to the gap — a 200-foot-wide break where the original swing drawbridge allowed boat traffic. That drawbridge is gone. In its place: the bike ferry.
Trail at a Glance
- Total length: 14.4 miles (Burlington to South Hero)
- Surface: Paved (Burlington) → crushed limestone (causeway)
- Difficulty: Easy — the causeway is completely flat
- Bike ferry 2026 season: May 22 – October 12
- From Heart of the Village Inn: 20–25 minutes to Burlington trailhead
A Railroad Causeway Built by 500 Workers
The causeway you are riding on was built between 1897 and 1899 for the Rutland-Canadian Railroad — a project that required 500 workers and filled an open stretch of Lake Champlain with marble riprap quarried from nearby stone. Passenger service ran for more than half a century before ending in 1953, and the rails were pulled up in 1964. The infrastructure remained: a narrow stone spine across one of the largest lakes in the eastern United States.
Local Motion, the Burlington-based transportation nonprofit, eventually converted the abandoned rail corridor into one of New England’s most distinctive rail-trails. The marble riprap that once supported freight and passenger trains now supports cyclists and walkers. The gap that the old swing bridge crossed became, in 1999, the crossing point for the seasonal bike ferry — making it possible to complete the full journey from Burlington to the islands without a car.
This is the kind of trail that reminds you how fundamentally the same the purpose of transportation infrastructure is across different eras. The cause has changed; the corridor remains.
The Bike Ferry: Two Minutes That Make the Ride
The ferry is a small pontoon boat operated by Local Motion. You load your bike on, stand or sit for the two-minute crossing, and arrive on the far side of the gap. It costs nothing beyond a suggested donation of around $10 — one of the better deals in Vermont. The crossing itself is part of the experience: you are floating on Lake Champlain at the precise point where the causeway ends, with open water in every direction.
Without the ferry, the trail is a rewarding out-and-back from Burlington — 6.6 miles to the gap and 6.6 miles back, which is still a full morning of riding with some of the best causeway views in the northeast. With the ferry, the trail becomes a point-to-point adventure into the islands, where Snow Farm Vineyard, farm stands, and the quieter rhythms of South Hero await.
2026 Ferry Schedule
- Season opens: May 22, 2026
- Daily service: June 22 – September 7
- Weekend-only: May 22–June 21 and September 8–October 12
- Season closes: October 12, 2026
- Donation: ~$10 suggested; operated by Local Motion
Rentals, Logistics, and What to Bring
Bike Rentals
Two rental shops sit close to the trail start in Burlington, both approximately 20–25 minutes from Heart of the Village Inn. Local Motion Trailside Center (1 Steele St) stocks traditional bikes, e-bikes, adaptive bikes, and kids’ bikes, and is positioned directly on the waterfront near the trail. North Star Sports (100 Main St) specializes in hybrid and electric bikes with a slightly more technical selection. Both shops take reservations online — strongly recommended on summer weekends, when walk-in availability can be limited.
Getting There and Parking
Drive from Shelburne to the Burlington waterfront (20–25 minutes) and look for free street parking early in the morning — there are stretches along Battery Street and Lakeside Avenue where spots are available before 9 AM on weekdays. Later arrivals will want the ECHO Center parking garage or the Waterfront lot. Park once, pick up your rental, and ride out from there. Your car stays put for the day.
What to Pack
There are no facilities on the causeway — no water fountains, no shelter, and no shade for the entire 3.3-mile open section. Bring more water than you think you need, sunscreen, and a wind layer. The lake generates its own microclimate; even on warm days the causeway can be ten degrees cooler and significantly breezier than Burlington. A small backpack or bike bag with snacks and a charged phone is all you need for a comfortable day ride.
Staying at Heart of the Village Inn
Heart of the Village Inn sits in historic Shelburne Village, approximately 7 miles south of the Island Line Trail’s Burlington trailhead — about 20–25 minutes by car.
The adults-only (21+) bed and breakfast provides free on-site parking, which makes the daily logistics simple: park your car at the inn, drive to Burlington, ride the trail, return to Shelburne. No Burlington hotel parking fees. Custom-made breakfast is served every morning from 7:30 to 9:30 AM — a proper start before a long day on the lake. Rose and Anatoly can point you toward current ferry schedules, trail conditions, and the best spots to grab lunch in South Hero if you make it across.
What’s Nearby
Distances from the inn at 5347 Shelburne Rd.
- Burlington waterfront trailhead (Oakledge Park) — approximately 7 miles, 20–25 min
- Local Motion Trailside Center (bike rentals, 1 Steele St, Burlington) — approximately 7 miles
- North Star Sports (bike rentals, 100 Main St, Burlington) — approximately 7.5 miles
- Snow Farm Vineyard (South Hero, end of trail with ferry) — approximately 35 min by car
- Burlington International Airport — approximately 8.2 miles
Last updated: May 2026
Island Line Trail FAQ
How long is the Island Line Trail in Vermont?
The Island Line Trail is 14.4 miles from the Burlington waterfront to South Hero on the Champlain Islands. The causeway portion alone is 3.3 miles over open Lake Champlain. The full route uses paved surface through Burlington and crushed limestone on the causeway.
When does the Island Line Trail bike ferry run in 2026?
The Local Motion bike ferry opens May 22, 2026 and runs through October 12. Daily service runs June 22 through September 7; weekend-only service covers the shoulder season. The donation is approximately $10. Without the ferry, the trail is an out-and-back from Burlington — still a great ride, just not a through-route.
Is the Island Line Trail good for beginners?
Yes. The causeway section is completely flat — one of the most accessible long rides in Vermont for adults who haven’t ridden recently. The Burlington approach has gentle grades. E-bikes are available at both rental shops near the trailhead if you want extra help on the way back.
Where do you rent bikes for the Island Line Trail?
Local Motion Trailside Center (1 Steele St, Burlington) and North Star Sports (100 Main St) both sit near the trail start — about 20–25 minutes from Heart of the Village Inn in Shelburne. Reserve online in advance, especially on summer weekends.
Your Base for the Island Line Trail
Heart of the Village Inn is 20–25 minutes from Burlington’s trailhead. Free parking, custom-made breakfast every morning, and a quiet inn to return to after a day on the lake.