The picturesque landscape of Vermont is a wonder of the northeastern United States. Its stunning fall colors, historic cities, and quaint towns attract people from all over the world.
When most people think of Vermont, quaint and quiet outdoor experiences may be among the first that come to mind. While there is no shortage of relaxing farmstays, cozy inns, and peaceful outdoor attractions throughout the state, Vermont is also a place where visitors are never far from trail networks tailor-made for mountain bikers.
The Green Mountains that span the length of Vermont are famous for spectacular skiing, with more than 20 unique areas throughout the state. During the warmer months, the entire landscape is teeming with a variety of bike parks and meticulously maintained trail systems that make the state a bucket-list destination for mountain bikers.
Thanks to the contributions of community volunteers and members of the Vermont Mountain Biking Association who build, maintain, and advocate for trails, mountain biking in Vermont is about as diverse as it comes.
Sprawling farmland and mountainous landscapes create a dream scenario for pavement-free excursions on two wheels, including a wide variety of downhill bike parks and an incredible wealth of less-traveled yet incredibly fun trails, including plenty of options for adaptive mountain bikers.
Northern Vermont Mountain Biking
Northern Vermont is home to some of the top-tier biking venues in the state, many of which are situated within reasonably short drives to charming towns and attractions.
Bolton Valley Resort
Bolton Valley Resort is home to 28 unique downhill trails, including the Ebascootcha beginner trail, five blue intermediate trails, and more than 20 highly technical black and double black diamond trails to get the heart rate soaring.
Nestled in the mountains between Burlington, Montpelier, and Stowe, Bolton Valley is an ideal location to set up a home base to shred through the day and venture out to explore surrounding areas in the evenings.
Visitors also can stay at the resort and enjoy post-ride beverages and snacks at the James Moore Tavern, or take a short drive into Waterbury to sample Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at its factory, or enjoy a nice dinner at Prohibition Pig, which offers a variety of smoked meats and craft beer.
The Driving Range
The Driving Range is one of the most unique mountain bike trails out there. Just down the road from Bolton Valley Resort, The Driving Range is Vermont’s first fully adaptive mountain biking network, with 100% of its trail system accessible for adaptive bikes.
The community strongly supported building this trail network to create a system where people on adaptive bikes can ride without worrying about impassable obstacles or unfavorable conditions. While the network is completely adaptive, it is not tame. The Driving Range offers 13 different trails, including two black diamond and three double black diamond trails with serious features.
Burke Mountain Bike Park
Located in Northeastern Vermont, Burke Mountain offers a healthy mix of 12 downhill trails, including expert jump lines and excavated flow trails, along with 10 cross-country trails for folks who want to mix it up between gravity and hammering the pedals.
The bike park sits near the expansive Kingdom Trails network, which has more than 100 miles of trails ranging from easy-to-navigate singletrack to lines that challenge even the best riders.
Beyond biking, Burke Mountain offers plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation, such as horseback riding at D-N-D Stables or spending a peaceful afternoon taking in the views at nearby Lake Willoughby.
Central Vermont Mountain Biking
Killington Bike Park
Killington Bike Park sits in Central Vermont, which is about a 20-minute drive west of Rutland. The park includes more than 30 miles of pristine downhill trails cutting through three distinct mountain areas: Snowshed, Ramshead, and Killington Peak. A high-speed lift serves each area, allowing riders to relax and easily enjoy run after run.
Riders of every level can enjoy Killington. Snowshed offers a good amount of beginner-to-intermediate terrain. Killington Peak includes more New England-style trails with technical sections filled with rocks and roots, while Ramshead has signature freeride trails.
WAMBA’s Mt. Peg
Mt. Peg marries classic Northeastern singletrack with a handful of manicured freeride trails. This network consists of about 3 miles of trail that offers fast and flowy descents. The area also has a skills area with progressive drops with ample run-in and out, along with nice, forgiving sloped landings that make progressing to larger features easier.
The Woodstock Inn and Resort owns Mt. Peg, making it a great place to stay while visiting.
Woodstock also has a bustling downtown packed with entertainment and culture. Pentangle Arts Woodstock Town Hall Theater hosts live music, dance, theater, film screenings, and more. The town also is home to the charming Middle Covered Bridge, one of 100 covered bridges located throughout the state, which perfectly represents the unique style of covered bridges for which Vermont is famous.
Just outside of town, visitors can learn about local agriculture at Billings Farm & Museum. The working farm highlights scientific farming history and offers interactive exhibits, classes, and experiences.
Marsh-Billing Rockefeller National Historical Park, the state’s only national park, is less than a mile outside of town. The park boasts 400-year-old hemlocks, sugar maples, and covered bridges.
Mad River Rider’s Blueberry Lake (Family-Friendly)
Blueberry Lake is a family-friendly section of the larger Mad River Valley trail system. It has gentle grades and flowy, sweeping turns that are ideal for youngsters or beginners to build their confidence. The trail network consists of about 7 miles spread across 13 different trails, all of which are beginner or intermediate.
Blueberry Lake trails are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and were designated as an International Mountain Biking Association Model Trail-Gateway in 2013.
Blueberry Lake itself provides the perfect venue to cool off after a day of mountain biking in the sun. Riders also can enjoy a sandwich or coffee from the “almost world-famous” Warren Store. The nearby Sugarbush Resort provides family-friendly fun including a scenic chairlift ride, golf, and swimming.
Southern Vermont Mountain Biking
Slate Valley Trails Endless Brook
Slate Valley Trails Endless Brook Trailhead includes 15 miles of intermediate to advanced hike and bike trails. These trails feature a ton of climbs, along with fast descents featuring berms and rollers. The trail also includes benches with stellar views of Lake Saint Catherine, where riders can take a break or grab a snack.
As always, riders need to be sure to take care of the trails and leave no trace. Be aware: these trails are 100% on private property. However, the landowners’ generosity and partnership with Slate Valley Trails have made them available to the public.
Stratton Mountain Downhill Bike Park
Stratton Mountain lies in Southern Vermont, about 20 miles from Manchester. It is home to a more than 10-mile system of sweeping downhill trails designed by Sinuosity, a leading trail-building organization in Vermont.
At the base, visitors can enjoy time at the village, or play a round of golf at the Stratton Golf Course. Other key features of Stratton aimed at outdoor enthusiasts include indoor and outdoor climbing walls, scenic lift rides, mountain-top yoga, and guided UTV tours.
More on Vermont Mountain Biking
Vermont holds 1,400 miles of mapped mountain biking trails to sample, including the venues outlined above.
The Vermont Mountain Biking Association has compiled an exhaustive list of trail networks, complete with maps and information on trail conditions online at VMBA.org. By checking conditions before heading out onto the trails, riders can ensure they ride responsibly, and avoid sites where they could cause damage, or put other riders or the future of mountain bike access in certain areas in jeopardy.
Also, riders can find information on trails that offer adaptive riding at the organization’s dedicated adaptive riding webpage.
