A valley of colored slate
Along Rutland County’s western edge, straddling the New York border, lies the Slate Valley — one of the few places on earth producing slate in a rainbow of colors: purple, green, red and grey. Welsh and Irish quarrymen settled Poultney, Fair Haven and Wells in the 19th century, and slate roofs and headstones still define the region.
Poultney & Fair Haven
Poultney, a former college town, and Fair Haven, built around a large village green, anchor the valley with classic main streets, quarry history and the Slate Valley Museum just over the line in Granville, New York.
The D&H Rail Trail
The Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail runs flat and quiet through the valley on an old railway bed — ideal gravel cycling and walking past red barns, cow pastures, slate quarries and brooks, with the Poultney-to-Rupert stretch a local favorite.
Lakes nearby
Just north, Lake St. Catherine and Lake Bomoseen offer state-park beaches, swimming and boating — an easy add-on to a Slate Valley day.
Good to know
Common questions
What is the Slate Valley?
A slate-quarrying region on the Vermont–New York line around Poultney and Fair Haven, known for colored slate.
What is the D&H Rail Trail?
A flat gravel rail trail through the Slate Valley, great for cycling and walking, notably the Poultney–Rupert stretch.
Are there lakes nearby?
Yes — Lake St. Catherine and Lake Bomoseen, both with state-park beaches, are close by.
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