Colchester Causeway — gravel return; ferry closed for 2026
Vermont · Rail-trail
Join the signed Island Line trail north toward the lake causeway for up to three miles. Turn back before the Cut and before rough or flooded tread. Retrace at the outward cap, actual end or first barrier. Ordinary traffic-road detours and natural/technical branches are excluded.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Colchester · Vermont
- Ride length
- Up to 6 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Crushed-gravel designated main causeway approach and railbed
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Local grades, bridge ramps, crossings and textured tread may require effort; no surveyed maximum grade. Winter snow/ice and wet-weather damage can make riding unsuitable.
- Starting location
- Airport Park public Island Line trail access, 500 Colchester Point Road, Colchester, VT
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Public named facility/address locality reference, not an exact parking entrance or stall. Follow the separate written public start.
Colchester Causeway — gravel return; ferry closed for 2026 — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-23. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Airport Park public Island Line trail access, 500 Colchester Point Road, Colchester, VT.
Use only signed ordinary public park/trail visitor spaces under current gate, fee, seasonal and event controls. Walk to the designated bicycle path; private or reserved spaces are excluded.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 6 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: Join the signed Island Line trail north toward the lake causeway for up to three miles. Turn back before the Cut and before rough or flooded tread. Retrace at the outward cap, actual end or first barrier. Ordinary traffic-road detours and natural/technical branches are excluded.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Crushed-gravel designated main causeway approach and railbed. Local grades, bridge ramps, crossings and textured tread may require effort; no surveyed maximum grade. Winter snow/ice and wet-weather damage can make riding unsuitable.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-23. Source review, not a field inspection or same-day all-clear. Local Motion confirms the Bike Ferry is closed for the 2026 season and plans service again in May 2027. This return does not depend on crossing the water gap. Exposed wind, little shade and no causeway facilities: carry water and a layer. Airport Park public facilities and event controls are separate; bikes excluded during the town’s organized causeway race. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.