Scenic Walks and Riverside Trails near Bellows Falls

There’s something timeless about walking beside a river. The sound of flowing water, the play of light on ripples, the faint scent of pine and earth — these simple pleasures define the heart of Bellows Falls hiking.

Tucked along the Connecticut River in southeastern Vermont, Bellows Falls is more than a historic mill town; it’s a gateway to quiet beauty. Here, the industrial past meets natural serenity — canals carved by hand now frame scenic footpaths, and rail lines once busy with freight now guide peaceful strolls through forest and meadow.

Whether you’re chasing Bellows Falls scenic views, hidden waterfalls, or simply a moment of stillness by the water, the trails around this charming town invite exploration. Each path tells a story — of the people who built here, the nature that endures, and the landscapes that continue to inspire travelers.

Let’s wander through some of the most beautiful walks and riverside trails near Bellows Falls — each one a blend of Vermont history, wild beauty, and small-town soul. Water lovers can pair these walks with Kayaking and River Adventures on the Connecticut River. For a complete two-day route covering these trails, check our Weekend Itinerary: Bellows Falls and Hidden Vermont Towns.

The Bellows Falls Canal Trail – Walking Beside History

If you only have time for one trail, make it this one. The Bellows Falls Canal Trail perfectly captures what makes the town special: history written into the landscape.

The trail follows the old canal route built in 1802 — one of the earliest in America — designed to bypass the Great Falls and connect Vermont’s timber trade to markets downriver. Today, the canal is quiet, its granite walls softened by moss and time, but the path remains an easy, scenic walk.

Starting near the historic Bellows Falls Depot, the route winds for roughly two miles along the river. You’ll pass weathered stone locks, remnants of mill foundations, and interpretive signs that describe how water once powered the booming paper industry. Plan your hiking and photography around the seasons using Bellows Falls Weather and Best Times to Visit.

It’s not a wilderness trail; it’s a storybook path. The steady sound of water and the distant echo of passing trains create a rhythm that feels uniquely Bellows Falls.

In spring, trillium and wild columbine bloom along the banks. In autumn, golden leaves drift across the canal’s still surface, turning it into a mirror of color. For photographers, it’s paradise — subtle, textural, and endlessly atmospheric.

If you want a quiet walk that feels both grounded and meaningful, this is where you start your Bellows Falls adventure.

This art gallery is a gem. It sits in a historic building overlooking the Bellows Falls Canal, one of the first canals in the country. 

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The Vilas Bridge Overlook – Where the River Speaks

No trail embodies Bellows Falls scenic views quite like the Vilas Bridge Overlook. This spot connects Vermont to New Hampshire, stretching across the Connecticut River in a graceful arc of steel and stone. Though currently closed to vehicle traffic, it remains accessible to pedestrians and photographers who want that postcard-perfect river panorama.

Standing midspan, you can see the contrast that defines this region — the wild energy of the river below and the peaceful town above. The Great Falls, though partially tamed by the canal, still roar beneath you, echoing the same force that built Bellows Falls centuries ago.

At sunrise, the water glows gold; at sunset, it turns silver-blue. Locals say it’s one of the best spots in Windham County for reflection — in both senses of the word.

From the overlook, a short connecting path leads to the Canal Street Historic District, where you can explore small shops, murals, and restored industrial buildings now filled with galleries and cafés. It’s a perfect blend of walking, sightseeing, and slow discovery.

The Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail

Few experiences capture the gentle rhythm of Vermont like walking an old railbed through forest and farmland. The Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail, a converted railway corridor, follows sections of the historic Bellows Falls–Rutland line.

Stretching westward from the village edge, the trail meanders through open fields, shaded tunnels of maple and birch, and occasional glimpses of the Saxtons River. It’s relatively flat, making it ideal for both walkers and cyclists.

One of my favorite parts is near the Williams Hill section, where the view opens up to reveal the surrounding hills and distant church steeples. In late summer, goldenrod and Queen Anne’s lace frame the path, while the sound of cicadas hums through the warm air.

What makes this trail special is its sense of continuity — you’re literally walking the same route that once carried timber, paper, and passengers between Vermont towns. The echo of the past remains, softened by birdsong and wind.

For a peaceful half-day walk that blends history and countryside, the rail trail is pure Vermont charm.

The Saxtons River Nature Loop

About ten minutes west of Bellows Falls lies the village of Saxtons River, a smaller yet equally captivating part of Rockingham. The Saxtons River Nature Loop begins near the town green and follows the riverbank through meadows, pine woods, and gentle rolling terrain.

This two-mile loop is perfect for an afternoon stroll — short enough to fit into your travel itinerary, but rich with sensory detail. You’ll pass over small wooden bridges, hear the rush of water tumbling over rocks, and perhaps spot a heron gliding low across the current.

Locals often come here to unwind after work or to walk dogs along the river. The path remains open year-round; in winter, it’s popular for snowshoeing, offering a different kind of quiet.

If you enjoy Bellows Falls hiking but prefer something softer and more reflective, the Saxtons River Loop is ideal. It’s a place where you can move slowly, listen to the rhythm of water and wind, and remember why Vermont’s simple beauty is so irresistible.

The Fall Mountain Trail – Views Across Two States

If you’re looking for a hike with a bit more challenge — and a big reward — cross the bridge into New Hampshire and tackle the Fall Mountain Trail. Located just a few minutes from downtown Bellows Falls, this moderate hike delivers some of the best panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley.

The trail climbs through a mixed hardwood forest, steadily ascending about 1,000 feet. Along the way, you’ll encounter switchbacks lined with mountain laurel and mossy boulders. The summit, about two miles in, opens onto a granite ledge where the view is simply breathtaking.

From here, you can see the full sweep of Bellows Falls — the river curving below, the historic mill buildings clustered like patchwork, and the distant Green Mountains rising in the west. On clear autumn days, it feels like standing inside a painting.

Bring water, good shoes, and a camera — and maybe a picnic. The view alone is worth the climb, and it’s one of those rare places where you can sit in New Hampshire while looking across into Vermont’s past and present all at once.

The Herricks Cove Wildlife Area

For those drawn to nature and birdwatching, Herricks Cove is a must. Located just two miles north of Bellows Falls along Route 5, this preserved wetland area at the confluence of the Williams and Connecticut Rivers offers an extraordinary mix of forest, meadow, and marsh habitat.

The main walking paths form gentle loops that wind through cottonwood groves and open floodplains. In early morning or late evening, the area fills with birdsong — warblers, orioles, and great blue herons are regulars.

In May, Herricks Cove hosts the Annual Wildlife Festival, drawing naturalists and photographers from across Vermont. It’s a celebration of coexistence — between river and land, human and wild.

The views here are subtle but unforgettable: sunlight breaking through trees onto still water, reflections shifting with every breeze. For anyone seeking Bellows Falls scenic views without the climb, this is a perfect alternative — peaceful, photographic, and deeply grounding.

The Minard’s Pond Trail

Hidden just north of downtown Bellows Falls, Minard’s Pond is a local favorite for easy, family-friendly walks. The pond itself, originally part of the town’s 19th-century water system, is now a tranquil oasis surrounded by forest.

The loop trail circles the pond for about a mile and a half, offering glimpses of turtles basking on logs and ducks gliding through mirrored water. Benches along the way invite you to pause and listen — the kind of silence that feels alive.

In autumn, the reflections of red maples and golden birch create some of the most photogenic scenes in town. It’s a short, effortless escape right inside Bellows Falls — proof that you don’t need to go far for beauty here.

The Connecticut River Byway – A Walking & Driving Journey

For travelers who love combining scenic drives and short walks, the Connecticut River Byway ties it all together. This designated scenic corridor follows the river from Massachusetts to Canada, with Bellows Falls as one of its cultural and geographic highlights.

Within the Rockingham stretch, several pull-offs and trails allow you to experience the river’s personality up close. Small interpretive signs mark historic crossings, wildlife observation points, and remnants of the old canal.

Even if you’re not a hiker, these short walking segments provide immersive Bellows Falls scenic views — wide-open water framed by mountains, quiet coves where herons feed, and farmsteads that seem unchanged since the 1800s.

Pair the Byway with stops at Saxtons River Village, Grafton Cheese Company, and the Rockingham Meeting House, and you have the perfect day trip — nature, culture, and food all within a 20-mile loop.

Seasonal Highlights – When to Hike in Bellows Falls

One of the best things about Bellows Falls hiking is how it changes with the seasons. Each one brings a new color palette, a new soundscape, and a new rhythm of travel.

• Spring: Wildflowers carpet the riverbanks; waterfalls roar with snowmelt. Best season for the Canal Trail and Herricks Cove.

• Summer: Long days and shaded trails make Minard’s Pond and the Rail Trail ideal.

• Autumn: The foliage season transforms everything into a painter’s dream — especially Fall Mountain and the Saxtons River Loop.

• Winter: For snowshoeing and crisp solitude, visit the Saxtons River and Minard’s Pond trails.

No matter when you come, Bellows Falls rewards slowness — the kind of walking that invites reflection, not rush.

Practical Tips for Exploring the Trails

• Footwear: Even the easy trails can get muddy in spring. Waterproof shoes are a must.

• Parking: Free lots near the Depot, Herricks Cove, and Canal Street.

• Safety: Cell service is fair in town but drops in forested sections; bring a downloaded map.

• Etiquette: Leave no trace. These are community-maintained paths, and their beauty depends on everyone’s care.

• Local Food: Refuel after your walk with pizza at Athens House or coffee at Flat Iron Exchange downtown.

Walking these trails isn’t just recreation — it’s connection. You feel the pulse of Vermont’s history in every step, the calm presence of nature in every breeze.

Traveler’s Reflection – Finding Stillness by the River

I’ve walked trails across Vermont, but Bellows Falls remains one of the few places where nature and history coexist so harmoniously. The rusted remnants of mills don’t clash with the landscape — they belong to it, softened by moss and memory.

Every trail here feels personal. The canal’s quiet dignity, the Saxtons River’s laughter, the grand overlook from Fall Mountain — each one tells a different side of the same story: that progress and peace can share the same ground.

For travelers seeking Bellows Falls scenic views, these paths offer more than beauty; they offer belonging. They remind you that walking isn’t just about covering distance — it’s about noticing.

By the time you return to town, shoes dusty and mind clear, you realize that Bellows Falls doesn’t just show you scenery — it teaches you how to see.

Plan Your Visit

• Location: Bellows Falls, Town of Rockingham, Windham County, Vermont

• Trail Types: Easy to moderate; river, forest, and mixed-surface terrain

• Access Points: Bellows Falls Depot, Canal Street, Herricks Cove, Saxtons River Village

• Best Time to Visit: May through October for full trail access

• Where to Stay: Hotel Windham (downtown), Harvest Barn Inn (riverside), or local Airbnbs

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Final Thoughts

The more you walk around Bellows Falls, the more it feels like the landscape is walking with you — steady, patient, full of quiet grace. The river doesn’t rush; it flows with confidence. The hills don’t demand attention; they offer perspective.

In a world that moves too quickly, Bellows Falls hiking reminds us that beauty doesn’t shout — it whispers. And when you slow down enough to listen, those whispers turn into memories that stay long after you’ve left the trail. Many of these trails connect directly to the town’s deeper story — learn about its origins, architecture, and river life in Bellows Falls, Vermont: Hidden History & Scenic Escapes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bellows Falls Hiking