A rolling, winding tour of a northern hardwood forest
Town/Region: East Charleston, Vermont
Website: https://www.northwoodscenter.org/wordpress/trails/all-persons-trail/
Trail Snapshot
View more details about this trail on Trail Finder.
| Length | Surface | Width |
|---|---|---|
| 0.88 mile loop | Compacted crushed stone; wooden boardwalk with curb; wooden bridge with railing | Typical 6 ft, minimum 4.4 ft (boardwalk |
| Grade | Cross Slope | Parking/Restrooms |
|---|---|---|
| Typical <8.3%, max 12% (520 ft above 8.3%) | Typical 3%, max 5% | Accessible parking at lodge/trailhead. ADA restrooms available during business hours |
| Trail Standards | Use | Map |
|---|---|---|
| ADA-compliant; built to US Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines with site-specific exemptions. | Adaptive equipment, hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, strollers, balance bikes | NorthWoods All Persons Trail Map |
About the Trail
The All Persons Trail offers a rolling, winding tour of northern hardwood forest, circling the main campus of the NorthWoods Stewardship Center. The route blends compacted crushed stone, boardwalk, and a bridge over Lang Brook, with rest zones for comfort and safety. Visitors pass through tamarack groves, alongside a pond with an accessible fishing pier, through a cathedral-like red pine stand, and over the Lang Brook bridge before returning to the lodge. Seasonal views range from brilliant autumn foliage to freshly groomed snow in winter.
How the Trail Came to Be
The trail is the centerpiece of NorthWoods’ Access for All initiative, and was completed during the organization’s 35th anniversary year in 2024.
While NorthWoods had a strong history of conservation work, education programs, and partnerships, staff recognized during a 2020 strategic planning process that not everyone could share in the NorthWoods experience. Planning began in 2022 with community forums. The All Persons Trail was created in response to a community need for a safe, enjoyable forest experience for people using wheelchairs, mobility aids, adaptive sports equipment, strollers, or simply looking for a gentle, scenic route.
“We can’t offer a dramatic summit viewpoint at NorthWoods — our terrain is rolling, and this was a young forest. However, during a feedback meeting, some of our partners reminded us that what we can offer is for everyone: a walk, a roll, or a glide through the woods. It’s an experience many of us take for granted. Just being out in the woods. That is what we have here to offer.”
— Maria Young, Executive Director, NorthWoods Stewardship Center
Partners
ReCon Trail Design led construction, with Adaptive Sports Partners advising on accessibility design. The NorthWoods crew, along with school groups and volunteers also contributed to building the trail.
Funding
Public funding for the All Persons Trail was provided by the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC), the USDA, and the Vermont Community Foundation: NEK Fund.
Design Highlights
- Universal design to connect campus trail network and education program areas.
- Six flat rest zones in areas of higher grade.
- Accessible fishing pier overlooking a pond with a curbed stone overlook.
- Multiple entry points near the main lodge for convenience and visitor flow. Note: only the main entrance is a universal design/access.
- Lang Brook Bridge – 30 ft long, 6 ft wide with railings
- 100 ft boardwalk – 4.4 ft wide (bypass available in winter)
- Seasonal grooming for skiing and snowshoeing.
Key Learning: Integration into the Community
The All Persons Trail serves both public visitors and the many school groups and program participants NorthWoods hosts each year. It allows educators to confidently invite everyone in a class to participate in outdoor learning, and it connects to other campus amenities such as the bunkhouse, outdoor kitchen, and conservation barn.
Check out this video of the trail to see what you can expect.
