The annual Missisquoi Paddle-Pedal is set for Saturday, July 13.

This annual family-friendly event, hosted by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), the Upper Missisquoi and Trout River Wild & Scenic Committee (UMATR) and the town of Richford, VT  combines a 6.5 mile paddle down a Wild and Scenic section of the Missisquoi River and 5 miles of cycling on the adjacent Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail.

“Last summer’s flooding forced us to cancel the Paddle-Pedal, but access to the Missisquoi River and the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail is in great shape, and we’re ready to return this year,” said NFCT Trail Director Noah Pollock. “This is one of the NFCT’s signature events, and we’re grateful to our partners at UMATR and the town of Richford for helping us run this fun community race.”

Participant check-in will be held from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. in Richford’s Davis Park, followed by the race and an awards ceremony. Lunch is available by pre-purchase during registration. Advance-registration is available along with additional event information online at https://bit.ly/missisquoipaddlepedal. NFCT members get a 15 percent discount with advance online registrations.

The Paddle-Pedal course loops between Richford and East Berkshire, where the Wild & Scenic Upper Missisquoi River passes through a stunning pastoral valley, and the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail offers cyclists a low-grade, traffic-free cycling experience with sweeping mountain vistas. Information on bike and boat rentals can be found on the event page.

If you want to be part of the event but prefer not to compete, volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, contact Karrie Thomas at karrie@northernforestcanoetrail.org.

About the Northern Forest Canoe Trail

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a nonprofit organization that maintains and promotes the 740-mile water trail that runs from Old Forge, NY, to Fort Kent, Maine, and connects New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire and Maine. The trail showcases the mix of landscapes and communities currently lining the traditional routes used by Indigenous peoples, settlers and guides. It is the longest in-land water trail in the nation and consists of 23 rivers and streams, 59 lakes and ponds, 45 communities and 65 portages. To learn more, visit northernforestcanoetrail.org.

About the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee

In 2014, 46.1 miles of the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in northern Vermont were added to the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. The UMATR Wild & Scenic Committee is formed of representatives of the 8 communities through which these river miles flow, and regional partners. Supported by the National Park Service, the Committee protects and promotes these wonderful rivers by providing recreational activities and improving river access, supporting community projects that protect water quality and increase enjoyment of our rivers, and highlighting the special nature of these waterways. To learn more, visit umatrwildandscenic.org.