BENNINGTON TRAILS:
BENNINGTON RAIL TRAIL:
WALLOOMSAC RIVERWALK:
NINJA PATH:
BENNINGTON, VERMONT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: September 12, 2024
Length: Bennington Rail Trail; 1.5 miles
Walloomsac Riverwalk; 0.3 miles
Ninja Path; 2.1 miles complete
Kocher Drive Path/East Road Path; 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Bennington Rail Trail; Easy. Flat, paved & crushed gravel rail trail.
Walloomsac Riverwalk; Easy. Flat, narrow paved trail.
Ninja Path; Easy. Paved trails.
Kocher Drive Path/East Road Path; Easy. Flat, paved trail.
Directions:
To starting from the River Street parking lot, next to the Bennington RR Depot [Downtown South]; From the junction of Routes 7 & 9 in Bennington, travel west along Route 9 and take your first right on Depot St. Take your first left on River St and turn left into the parking lot.
In Bennington, there are multiple trails in town that are or will be connected. The Bennington Rail Trail starts from the former 1897 Bennington RR Depot and follows the former rail bed of the old Rutland & Burlington RR North. Also, from the former Bennington RR Depot, the Walloomsac Riverwalk travels East, alongside the Walloomsac River. The Ninja Path will follow the Walloomsac River North-South through town and can be accessed from the Bennington Rail Trail. The Kocher Drive Path & East Road Path can also be accessed from the Bennington Rail Trail. For more information visit; BENNINGTON TRAILS .
While your in Bennington, you should check out the BENNINGTON BATTLE MONUMENT , located on the Western Side of town. If biking, you will be traveling uphill. The Monument was built to commemorate the Battle of Bennington which occurred on August 16, 1777. This battle lead up to the Battle of Saratoga where General Burgoyne’s weakened army was defeated. This is considered to be the turning point in the Revolutionary War. The 306 ft Monument features an observation deck with views of three states. The cornerstone was laid in 1887, and the Monument completed and dedicated in 1891. It is constructed from blue-grey magnesium limestone. There is a gift shop on site.
Starting from the River Street parking lot, next to the Bennington RR Depot [Downtown South]; The old 1897 Bennington RR Depot, which is now a business, has an old rail car in front of it. The Bennington Rail Trail & Walloomsac Riverwalk both begin here.
Walloomsac Riverwalk:
Traveling South, from the Bennington RR Depot, the narrow, paved Walloomsac Riverwalk comes to the Northern Side of the Walloomsac River.
Note; South of the Bennington RR Depot, construction fencing in 2024, closed off the area around the Walloomsac River. So not sure if part of the trail is located here.
The trail then continues East, across Depot St, along the Northern Side of the Walloomsac River. Come to North St and head right across the river. Nice old brick buildings with slate roofs. Continue along the Southern Side of the Walloomsac River. Informational sign, sculptures. Come to School St and cross back over the river, continuing along the Northern Side of the Walloomsac River, past Barrington Elementary School. This will bring you to Park St after 0.3 miles and the end of the trail.
Bennington Rail Trail:
Traveling North, from the Bennington RR Depot, the wide, paved Bennington Rail Trail crosses River St, following a residential/commercial corridor. Wayfinding signs all along the route. Cross *Country Street at 0.2 miles.
Note; From here you can access the Ninja Path. See; Ninja Path Below.
Continuing North, you soon parallel Route 7 for a bit, before crossing an old RR bridge over the Walloomsac River at 0.8 miles. Cross Northside & Kocher Drives (Route 7A) at 1.1 miles, where the now, crushed gravel trail turns Northwest.
Note; Right, the paved Kocher Drive Path travels East, alongside the road. I haven't checked out this trail. Come to East Rd after 0.5 miles. Here, the paved East Road Path continues North, alongside the road. A separate pedestrian bridge crosses over Route 279 at 1 mile. The trail ends at Duffy Dr after 1.5 miles.
Briefly follow Stratton Brook. The trail then leaves the old rail bed, bringing you down to Emma St after 1.5 miles.
Note; The old undeveloped rail bed continues Northwest, to North Bennington.
Note; A paved path travels South, alongside Emma St, out to Northside Dr.
Ninja Path:
[Not sure if all the trails I mention below are part of the official "Ninja Path"]
Starting from the intersection of the Bennington Rail Trail and *Country Street; The paved Country Street Path travels West, to Benmont Ave. Across the road is the old brick Holden–Leonard Mill complex. The "Big Mill" straight ahead was Building #5. Textiles were produced here. The paved Benmont Ave Path heads right, North, briefly along the Eastern Side of the road, before crossing over and continuing North, along the Western Side of the road. Come to Hunt St after 0.6 miles, where the path ends. Head left, West, on-road, along Hunt Rd and you'll come to the Ninja Path after 0.9 miles. The wide. paved trail continues North, past the Mount Anthony Country Club, crossing a bridge over the Walloomsac River to Hicks Ave at 1 mile.
Note; Future plans will take the trail left, West, alongside the river and connect to the Monument Plaza Section of the trail.
Continue Northwest, on-road, along Hicks Ave. Just before you reach Northside Dr, you'll pick up the paved Ninja Path on your left at 1.3 miles. The Monument Plaza Section of this trail travels West, around the Monument Plaza. If you look left, you'll spot the Bennington Battle Monument up in the hills. Briefly travel through the woods, before coming to old Harmon Rd.
Note; Future plans will continue the Ninja Path left, then North, to connect with the Hannaford Square Section of the trail.
Continue right. North, out to Morse Rd after 1.8 miles.
Starting from the Hannaford Square shopping plaza [Northern End]; I haven't checked out this section. The paved Ninja Path starts from the Northern entrance and travels North, out to and briefly, alongside N Bennington Rd. It then crosses Silk Rd.
Note; Left, South, on-road (low traffic) will bring you to the Silk Road Covered Bridge after only 0.2 miles.
Continue out to N Bennington Rd after about 0.3 miles.
Note; Across N Bennington Rd is Bennington College. You can then follow College Rd (low traffic), North, another 0.9 miles to the campus, where you'll find lots of paths.
Note; Left, West, along N Bennington Rd (narrow shoulders/not recommended for kids on bikes) you'll come to Murphy Rd on your left after 0.4 miles. Here you'll find the Paper Mill Village Covered Bridge.
HH
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CLICK HERE FOR BENNINGTON AREA TRAILS MAP 2
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