Have you heard about the treetop walk at the Vermont Institute of Science (VINS)? This trail is ADA accessible and ends you up high in the treetops. Since we have spent lots of time at VINS when I was homeschooling seven children, I was excited when they opened this walk.
Because VINS has an bird rehabilitation center and many raptors on display, we would often go there to learn more about nature and birds. In addition they have nice trails, so it always was a great way to spend the day.
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Table of contents
What are the features of this treetop walk?
I was curious to see how they would have implemented this treetop trail. So after we watched turtles, snakes, raptors and ravens, we took the trail to the start of the Forest Canopy Walk. The start was nearby the raptor exhibits, making it an easy walk.
Also, the walk is wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant, so that was different from other treetop walks we have done. This walk can even be done in a wheelchair.
The Tree House
The trail is a board walk leading to a loop, which you can do either clockwise or counter-clockwise. We decided to go counter (or widdershins) because that is like going back in time, isn’t it? First encounter was the tree house. It reminded us of the fire tower at Gile Mountain, but the stairs were wider and easier. This tower is not wheelchair accessible, but it has good railings if you can manage stairs with those.
Because we like numbers we counted how many stairs there were to get up to the top. The climb is divided in ten sections of seven stair steps each, so you will have to take a total of seventy steps to get to the top. Math madness FTW.
Once you reach the top, the view over the forest and the Ottaquechee river is truly stunning. We saw some Canada geese and other birds and thoroughly enjoyed this reward for climbing all these stairs.
Disappointed that there was no slide so we had to climb down the exact same seventy stair steps. Time to explore the rest of the treetop walk! Enjoying the beautiful Vermont scenery, we huffed and puffed all the way down. My math mind realized that 2 times 70 makes 140, so that was the actual number of steps we took for our canopy view. Just sayin’.
Eagle nest in the treetops.
If you love watching birds, you will love interacting with this eagle nest, from which a majestic eagle is alighting. Although Tom is quite tall, this eagle easily beat him in height and wing span.
Giant Spider Web!
Next up was an opportunity to climb into a giant spider web! Not only can you climb in and relax, in addition you can shake the paw of this scary looking black spider.
When we arrived, someone was just climbing out of the net, and it looked like a cool experience. Admittedly, I was the only one in our group who thought so, but it still didn’t take me much time to decide to go for it.
Taking any opportunity to show that my MS is not holding me back, I lowered myself into the spider web, many feet above the forest floor. After relaxing at the center of the web for a spell, I clumsily climbed back up with the satisfaction of a dare well done.
An Owl’s Nest
Right next to the spider web, you can find an owl’s nest. Yet another vantage point to look out over the mind blowing scenery.
Although the bird nests are reachable from the boardwalk, be aware that you need to climb a small set of stairs (eagle nest) or a cargo net (owl’s nest) to reach them, so they are not wheelchair accessible.
Nature Infographics
All throughout the treetop walk, there are various infographics to teach you about the forest and its inhabitants. Would have loved to have this resource when I was still homeschooling. For now, we plan to take the grandkids there.
Other Things to Do at VINS
Of course, the treetop walk is not the only exhibit at VINS. Other things to do include
- Live Raptor shows. Every day there are raptor shows and reptile encounters. See the calendar of VINS events for timing of the shows.
- Nature trails. Explore the forest and the Vermont countryside using one of the hiking trails.
- Forest exhibit: An indoors close-up view of the forest.
- Check out this page with more activities at VINS.
After you are done at VINS, go explore the Best of Quechee, VT!
Are there treetop walks outside of Vermont?
Unsurprisingly, you can find treetop walks all over the world!
Treetop Walk in Singapore
Actually, the first time I heard about the concept of treetop walks, was when we were in Singapore for a wedding. The TreeTop Walk (TTW) is the highlight of several long hiking routes in a Singapore park. One day we attempted this walk, but MS overheating and fatigue prevented me from even reaching the starting point of the walk. Not to mention that there were scary monkeys interfering with our plans of eating a quick energy snack. Like they appeared out of nowhere the moment they heard the wrinkling of a wrapper.
So the best-laid plans of men and mice ended with me being rescued by a park ranger on a golf cart. The joys of hiking with MS. For now the Singapore treetop walk is on my bucket list of MS-challenges.
New York state: Adirondacks
After we did the new treetop walk in Vermont, I started researching where else in the USA we could experience canopy walks. Soon the Wild Walk came up, part of the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY. Surprisingly, when I told our daughter about it, she replied “Oh, I have been there!”.
A few years ago she went there with a friend during a vacation week. It sounds similar to the one at VINS, but it doesn’t look as accessible. Also, it looks bigger, but that might just be the pictures, we will have to check it out for ourselves some day.
Costa Rica: Monteverde
When we went to Costa Rica, we booked a trip to Monteverde, where they grow coffee. Included in the tour was something they called “Skywalk”. We didn’t really know what to expect. Turns out it was another treetops walk! The highest we have been on so far.
When we started the walk I had no clue how far we would have to walk, and I stupidly hadn’t brought my hiking poles. So the hike was much harder than it should have been, but luckily our guide was very gracious about it. Actually for me, the suspension bridges were much easier than the hike with two railings. In contrast, Tom did just fine on the hiking part, but wasn’t too thrilled about the suspension bridges.
After our Skywalk experience, we got to visit Don Juan, a coffee and chocolate plantation, so we could drink away our sorrows with some energizing libations. Another day we saw a BIRD take out a crocodile! Lots of great adventures that trip.
The Netherlands. Het Boomkroonpad
When I started this post, one of my Dutch cousins mentioned a treetop walk in the Netherlands, so I researched that. I found het Boomkroonpad, which literally translates to Canopy Walk. Maybe we can combine it with a family visit some day. Read all about this treetop walk in the Netherlands.
Canopy Walk in Martinique
When a Holland America Line Cruise got us to Martinique, I was happy to discover yet another treetop walk! This one was in their botanical gardens and not easy with MS but I did it. Slow but steady and the views were amazing. When you find yourself on a cruise there I totally recommend this garden and treetop walk.
Saving Money on Treetop Walk Vermont
By now I might have convinced you that you want to visit this treetop walk in Vermont, but you wonder how much it would cost. General admission to VINS ranges from free (kids under 3yo) to $19.50 (adults). This means a family with two kids would pay $74, quite a lot. Luckily there are alternatives.
Join VINS with a year membership
If you live close enough to go at least twice a year, get a year membership. Not only can you get in for free, how often you want, but you are supporting the scientists and bird rehabilitation. Click here for VINS membership rates. When I was still homeschooling we always did the membership and saved a lot of money that way.
EBT Program
By showing your Vermont or New Hampshire EBT or Medicaid card, you can receive admission to the Nature Center and all of its programs for just $5.00 per person.
Library Passes
Some local libraries have passes to VINS, enabling you to get in with up to four people for $5 per person. Both the Howe Library in Hanover, NH and the public libraries in Lebanon, NH have such passes. In fact, we did use them for our visit. Only drawback is that you have to be a member of the library. Check out your local library and encourage them to adopt a similar program.
Conclusion Treetop Walk Vermont
If you get a chance to visit Vermont, go do this treetop walk! When else would you get the opportunity to get a squirrel’s perspective on the world? Thanks to our visit to the Vermont treetop walk, we now put some new destinations on our bucket list. Looking forward to trying different ones in other states or countries. Have you been on a treetop walk? Where? Please share in the comments.
More Resources for Treetop Walks
- VINS official home page. The website of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science with opening times, admission, calendar and more;
- When you are in Vermont anyway, go visit the Vermont State House and admire their fossils;
- Hindsight is 2020, so for kicks and giggles check out Travel to Vermont during the Covid-19 era.
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