Mountain Biking in Vermont

Vermont Real Estate Company realtor Susannah Kelley says mountain biking is “the best way to stay on the trails once all the snow is gone” – and a quick look outside will tell you it’s time to grab your bike! Since the start of the pandemic, Vermont has seen an uptick in mountain biking – but the last decade has seen an increase too. This hobby is a great way to get outside, get active, and get involved in your community!

A Few of VTRECO’s Favorite Trails

From Jay Peak to Stratton, Vermont has no shortage of beautiful spots perfect for this exhilarating summertime activity. We asked our agents and rounded up a few of their favorite in-state spots to bring your bike this summer.

Cochran’s

Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond has plenty of trails for all skill levels, and they’re completely free to ride. Before 2020, Cochran’s only offered advanced bike trails; they’ve since opened a pump track and two beginner bike loops to increase accessibility for families and amateur riders. With newly improved signage and a bike map at the ski area base, Cochran’s has figured out how to keep busy year-round – “we’re subbing bikes for skis,” says Jimmy Cochran, a two-time Olympian in alpine skiing and Manager at the ski area. 

 Burke

Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom has been referred to as the “mountain bike mecca” of the northeast by some, the Kingdom Trails in East Burke being Vermont’s most well-known mountain bike destination. With 120 miles of trail to explore, there’s a trail for every level of rider! Head to the Burke Mountain Bike Park nearby to enjoy gravity-assisted lifts and discover a trail for every preference from their thirteen downhill trails and seven cross-country trails, as well as expert jump, excavated, and flow trails. While Burke mostly offers advanced and expert trails, beginners can practice their downhill skills on Roly Grail and their cross-country stamina on Shire.

Saxon Hill

Essex’s Saxon Hill trail network is considered to be an example of a “classic smooth and flowy singletrack.” Saxon Hill’s network winds through municipal property and has trails for every rider. For beginners, the Extendo trail was built by nonprofit Fellowship of the Wheel and students from the Center for Technology in Essex. The Flo trail has multiple loops that offer something for every skill level, and the FreeFall trail is a varied jump trail primarily for pros.

Hinesburg Town Forest

Another amazing trail network built by Fellowship of the Wheel, the Hinesburg Town Forest spreads across 850 acres and offers 18 miles of singletrack. The land’s history is rich and includes farming back in the early 1900’s, so keep your eye out for evidence of this on the trails. This is another network with primarily advanced options, so beginners beware. Prepare for a long and rocky ride with lots of roots and a natural flow – “old school singletrack at its best.”

Vermont’s Mountain Biking Non-Profits

One of the most wonderful things about Vermont is its emphasis on community. There are a handful of incredible non-profit organizations that help make mountain biking safe, fun, and accessible for everyone.

VMBA

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Vermont Mountain Bike Association has 28 chapters across the state and serves as a unified voice for the mountain biking community of our Green Mountain State. Through collaboration with public land managers, state agencies, and policymakers and partnership with other nonprofits that share their values of environmental sustainability, community development, and outdoor recreation, VMBA works to improve sustainability and inclusion in Vermont’s mountain biking trails and communities. Join today and take advantage of all the benefits membership has to offer: free trail rides, discounts at restaurants and gear shops statewide, and, most importantly, supporting Vermont’s mountain biking community.

 Fellowship of the Wheel

Fellowship of the Wheel is a Vermont non-profit that builds and maintains sustainable singletrack recreational trails across Chittenden county. Fellowship staff and volunteers have built over 100 miles of trail in the last fifteen years and they rely heavily on volunteership to keep them building. Support local non-profits and the bikers of Vermont by joining the Fellowship, donating, and volunteering to help them build.

Get Local

There are also many smaller-scale VT nonprofits and organizations dedicated to mountain biking, allowing bikers to get involved within their individual communities. Look into what your town has to offer, and connect with other bikers in your area through local committees and your local chapter of VMBA!

Local Retailers Who <3 Mountain Biking

Lastly, we can’t forget to mention the amazing local retailers who really care about helping their communities get outside and get active.

  Outdoor Gear Exchange

With a huge range of products (from bikes and frames to helmets to detailing kits) within a wide  price range (both new and quality used equipment is for sale), Outdoor Gear Exchange is a great one-stop-shop for any beginner – or pro – mountain biker. Beyond all they have to offer in-store, they also dedicate their resources towards making a positive impact on the Vermont community. 

In past summers, they’ve paired with the Catamount Outdoor Family Center to host Mountain Bike Skills Clinics for BIPOC and Womxn & Non-Binary people, offer an annual charitable grant fund to enhance outdoor recreation in Vermont, and they’re happy to offer boots-on-the-ground community service to nonprofits upon request. With many national and local nonprofit affiliations, including the Conservation Alliance, Vermont Business for Social Responsibility, the VMBA, and many more, we love supporting this wonderful community-oriented business.

  SkiRack

Another local favorite for bikers, hikers, and skiers alike is SkiRack. Find a group to run with on their events calendar, upgrade your bike at their annual May bike swap, and get a free estimate on your snapped chain at the largest bicycle and cross country ski repair facility in Northern New England. After 53 (!) years in business, SkiRack can definitely be trusted to help you kickoff or continue your mountain biking journey.

 Ranch Camp

Founded in 2018, Ranch Camp’s ultimate goal is to utilize bicycles, food, and beer to build community and provide a trailside meeting point focused on fostering friendships in the biking and Vermont community. Sitting trailside at the base of Stowe’s Cady Hill Forest MTB trail network, they sell new and used bikes, offer repairs, and also offer delicious food and drinks to nourish you mid-ride.

Whether you’re a casual or committed biker, Vermont has a trail for everyone. The most important part is getting outside, having fun, and enjoying all our beautiful state has to offer!

Find your trail ride home today!