Local Motion's online trail mapping resource recently won a national award from American Trails for the site's design and functionality. But we're not resting on our laurels. By June 1, the Trail Finder will be expanded to cover Addison and Grand Isle counties – over 60 additional trails! Want to help with this award winning project? Volunteer today! Contact: Todd Taylor ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

A press conference at Middlebury's scenic Marbleworks Green was held June 2, 2009 to announce some exciting developments in the Trail Finder project. Launched in 2008 in Chittenden County, the free online mapping resource has now tripled its geographic area to include Addison and Grand Isle counties. Local partners were on hand to lend strong support for the project.

Over three years in development with 70 volunteers, the Trail Finder now covers 100 walking, biking, hiking, mountain biking and skiing trails in western Vermont. Residents and visitors can get maps and directions, learn about the trails' features, see photos and submit comments.

The Trail Finder is a partnership between 60 towns, trail groups, tourism entities and regional planning organizations. Trail managers have helped provide data and have special access to the Trail Finder's "back end" to update information instantly.

Phase III Expansion

With trails in Addison and Grand Isle Counties completed, an ambitious Phase III expansion is in the works. Partnering with regional trail groups around the state, data will be collected for Rutland, Washington, Orange and Windsor counties with our partners – Rutland Area Physical Activity Coalition, Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission and the Upper Valley Trails Alliance. Upon completion of Phase III, the Trail Finder will include 250 trails within 7 of Vermont’s 14 counties (representing 64% of the state’s population). Since trails can be easily searched for and sorted by use, people can easily find an outdoor adventure perfectly suited for their style of recreation and exercise. The interface is user-friendly and attractive. Using it is fun! Try it today at www.localmotion.org/trails.

Skirack is the Trail Finder's 2009 underwriting sponsor. The Trail Finder has also been funded by Vermont Recreation Trails Program, Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization and Local Motion members.

When we first launched the Trail Finder, we could only guess at how people would use it. You've surprised us – one family took a special Mother’s Day outing on a new hiking trail; another person planned a route to their business meeting across town. Visitors to the site have been sharing their comments and photos, too.

Now that you've had a chance to play with the Trail Finder, we thought you might like to know about a few more features to enhance your experience. (If you are just getting started with the Trail Finder, check out this useful guide first.)

More Features, More Fun!