About
Run the Island Line Trail to its northernmost section and you'll find the geological marvel that is the Colchester Causeway: a three mile-long land bridge delivering pedestrians and cyclists to South Hero Island. On this path, you'll be able to see Lake Champlain only a few feet from you on either side, with breathtaking views of Stave, Sunset, and Law Islands to the west.
This land bridge was originally built by the Rutland-Canadian Railroad for trains to bring passengers northward through the Champlain Islands to Montreal, but after service ended in 1961, the city repurposed it for public use. To allow boat traffic, the causeway ends about 2.7 miles across the lake in a 200-foot gap, known to locals as "the cut."
A bike ferry from Local Motion operates during the summer to shuttle cyclists and pedestrians across. Interested parties can run a yellow flag up a pole on either side of the gap to request service.
Know Before You Go
As a pedestrian or cyclist, you can take the trail from its southern sections in downtown Burlington's waterfront area. For those driving, parking is available in Causeway Park. Be sure to wear an extra layer because the causeway gets windy — and once you're out there, there's nowhere to hide.
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Published
January 16, 2026
