Winter wellness in Burlington, Vermont comes alive outdoors. Even in the coldest months, locals bundle up and head outside wandering snowy walking trails, taking in frozen Lake Champlain views, pedaling fat bikes, lacing up skates, or exploring quiet, snow-covered paths. Whether it’s a gentle winter stroll or a heart-pumping adventure, Burlington makes it easy to stay energized, grounded, and connected to nature all season long.
Best Winter Walking Trails In and Around Burlington, VT
Walking is one of the simplest ways to support winter wellness, offering low-impact movement, fresh air, and time outside even on colder days.
Centennial Woods
Located next to the University of Vermont, Centennial Woods is home to easy trails right in the city. With 65 acres of walkable pathways, it’s a great place to explore Burlington’s natural landscape without leaving town. A great option for gentle winter movement without leaving the city.
Intervale Center
Just minutes from downtown Burlington, the Intervale Center offers wide, flat trails that are perfect for winter walking. The open landscape along the Winooski River creates a peaceful setting for cold-weather strolls, with snowy fields, river views, and plenty of space to move at your own pace.
LaPlatte Nature Preserve
Located south of Burlington in Shelburne, the LaPlatte Nature Preserve offers a mix of woodland trails, open meadows, and river views that shine in winter. Well-marked and easy to navigate, the trail system is great for longer winter walks and gentle exploration. Snow-covered paths and quiet surroundings make LaPlatte an ideal place to slow down, stretch your legs, and enjoy a restorative winter outing.
Red Rocks Park
For a scenic view of frozen Lake Champlain, be sure to head down to Red Rocks Park in Burlington’s South End. With plenty of beginner-friendly and secluded trails, Red Rocks is the perfect place to go hiking, jogging, snowshoeing & cross-country skiing while you’re in town! Ideal for winter wellness through longer walks, light jogging, or mindful time outdoors.
Fat Biking in Burlington, Vermont During Winter
Winter biking in Burlington looks a little different compared to the rest of the year. However, riders can still enjoy the city’s most scenic routes using fat bikes. With the right conditions, bikers can catch breathtaking views of Lake Champlain and even ride on the ice. Fat biking combines cardio with scenic winter views, making it a favorite for active winter wellness in Burlington.
The Causeway at the Island Line Trail
The Colchester Causeway is a three-mile stretch of the Burlington Greenway (Bike Path) that extends out onto Lake Champlain, offering a unique walking and biking experience surrounded by water on both sides. In the colder months, frozen lake views and wide-open sightlines toward the Adirondacks create a quiet, serene setting that’s especially popular with locals and visitors alike. During summer months, there's a bike ferry that connects you to the rest of the trail into the Lake Champlain Islands, great for longer expeditions!
Burlington Bike Path
The Burlington Bike Path stretches for eight miles along the shoreline of Lake Champlain. In winter, conditions vary, but the path remains a popular option for walkers, fat bikers, cross-country skiers, and anyone looking to spend time outdoors when weather allows. Snowy lake views, open skies, and benches along the route create natural places to pause and take in the surrounding mountains. It’s a flexible, choose-your-own-pace option for staying active and enjoying Burlington’s winter landscape.
Catamount Outdoor Center
Located just outside Burlington, the Catamount Outdoor Family Center offers groomed trails for cross-country skiing and fat biking that wind through forests, fields, and gentle rolling terrain. Winter conditions vary, but when the trails are in shape, Catamount provides a peaceful, low-key way to stay active outdoors, whether you’re gliding along on skis or riding through packed snow. With a focus on accessibility and time outside, it’s a great option for both first-timers and experienced winter explorers looking to enjoy Vermont’s quieter side.
Outdoor Ice Skating in Burlington, Vermont
Outdoor Community Rink at Calahan Park
Ice skating is a backyard tradition for many Vermonters when temperatures drop. Burlington has several community-built and maintained outdoor rinks, including Callahan Park, which is open for the season with spotlights shining from 6–10 PM. Stop by for a casual skate or join a pickup hockey game. Ice skating offers playful, full-body movement and a social way to stay active during winter.
Skate to the Sea Caves at Arthur Park
The Sea Caves at Arthur Park are a remnant of another era, formed when Lake Champlain was a much larger and deeper inland sea known as the Champlain Sea. In winter, the surrounding wetlands freeze over, revealing a rarely seen part of Burlington’s natural landscape. To reach them, park at Burlington High School and follow the dirt path downhill toward Arthur Park. While accessible, the route can be a bit challenging in snowy or icy conditions. The area also plays an important ecological role, serving as a wildlife corridor between Lake Champlain and the Burlington Intervale. From the end of the trail, visitors can carefully walk or skate across the frozen wetlands to explore the cavernous sea caves along the western edge.
Other Rinks Available in Burlington:
Battery Park
Lakeside Park
Winooski Rotary Park
Leddy Park
NOTE: Before going out on the water, review these ice safety tips from Vermont Fish & Wildlife to make sure you’re well prepared. Ice conditions can vary on every body of water, check the ice as you go, and use extreme caution.
Powder Day Winter Activities in Burlington, Vermont
Powder days invite higher-energy winter wellness, from skiing and riding to embracing longer days outside.