AMC Recommended Trips – Hiking Winooski Nature Trail, Winooski One, and Salmon Hole (Intermediate Hiking in VT)
Source: Nature Walks in Northern Vermont
What you’ll see: The Winooski Nature Trail is a scenic walk along the Winooski River including some dramatic cliffs. A half-mile away, Winooski One is a modern, 7.4-megawatt hydroelectric dam that incorporates a fish lift. Across the river, in Burlington, the Salmon Hole is a traditional fishing spot that was once at the base of the natural falls. The river has carved potholes and other formations in the limestone.
What you’ll experience:
- Rating: Moderate
- Distance: 1.4 miles
- Estimated Time: 1 hour
- Walk to Winooski One, 0.5 mile, easy
- Walk to Salmon Hole, 0.2 mile, easy
What’s in the area:
- Young woods dominated by multitrunked red oak, hop hornbeam, and alternate-leaved dogwood
- Understory of bracken fern—beware of poison ivy!
- Winooski River
- Magnificent views of the falls and limestone cliffs at Winooski Gorge
- Fishing at Salmon Hole; walleye, pike, steelhead trout, and land-locked salmon are commonly caught
Getting There
- From I-89, take northbound Exit 15. Turn left on Route 15 and continue west for 0.3 mile. Parking area is on left.
- From the Winooski Nature Trail to Winooski One, continue 0.4 mile on Route 15 (East Allen). Turn left at Route 7. Take your second right on West Canal Street at 0.1 mile. The pedestrian entracne is immediately on the left. Parking meters on the street.
- From Winooski One to the Salmon Hole, cross the Winooski River on Route 7 and go immediately right at the light. Parking is on the right, 0.2 mile from West Canal Street. A path leads down to the Salmon Hole.
