Vermont Bike Trails Worth the Ride
August 05, 2022

Vermont bike trails come in all shapes and sizes—from paved paths and gravel routes to single-track and rail trails.

Vermont is home to the famous Kingdom Trails in the Northeast Kingdom and the scenic Colchester Causeway along Lake Champlain. But lesser-known Vermont bike trails in towns across the state offer enjoyable terrain and beauty around every bend.

5 Vermont Bike Trails to Explore

-The Aqueduct Trails in Woodstock; Main photo shows bikers on Mt. Peg trails. Courtesy of the Woodstock Area Mountain Bike Association. 

Mountain Biking in Woodstock

If you’re headed to Woodstock, the area offers excellent Vermont bike trails for mountain bikers. Choose from two trail networks in Woodstock: the Mt. Peg Trails and the Aqueduct Trails. Mt. Peg features the new Village Trail off Route 106, which climbs over 300 feet from town to the 1080-foot summit.

Meanwhile, the Aqueduct trails, located off Route 4 just west of the village, feature less climbing and a pump track for kids and beginners to help hone their skills. 

Visit www.mtbwoodstock.com for more details.

Vermont Bike Trails in Newport with Lake Views

The Memphremagog Trails offers a scenic mix of single and double-track trails managed by a local nonprofit whose mission is to create and promote local trails for year-round use. These Vermont bike trails include a mix of technical features and family-friendly terrain—with the bonus of gorgeous views of Lake Memphremagog on the Canadian border.

Register for the Grateful 2022 ride on Oct. 8—touted as “Not quite cyclocross, not quite MTB. Unlike any race around!”

Visit www.mstf.net/biking.

-The Historic Marble Trail Trail in Manchester. Courtesy of Bike Manchester. 

Vermont History on the Manchester Rail Trail

The new Historic Marble Rail Trail delivers mountain views and a peek into local history. Between 1904 and 1925, the Manchester, Dorset & Granville Railroad line—affectionately known as the Mud, Dirt & Gravel line—moved marble from the Dorset quarries to Manchester Depot, where it was eventually transported and used to build places like the New York Public Library.

The rail line was discontinued and removed in 1934, and the rail bed remained overgrown and forgotten until a passionate group of locals recently got involved in creating the rail trail. Hop on your bike near Manchester Elementary Middle School and head north toward Dorset for this scenic, fine gravel ride.

Visit bikemanchestervt.com for details.

Bike Vermont’s Woods on the Plainfield Rail Trail

The Plainfield Rail Trail is a perfect ride that will take you across fields, woods, dirt roads and eventually into Groton State Forest. The rail bed runs parallel to Route 2 but is just far enough to feel a world away. The trail includes a couple of small climbs and rocky areas, but it’s mostly a flat, easy ride.

Bonus tip: ride the route to Nasmith Brook Road and dip in a local swimming hole called Paradise. The rail trail starts at the northern end of the Plainfield Park and Ride on Main Street.

For a map and more details, visit www.vermontbicycleshop.com.

-A couple bikes on a dirt road in Vermont. 

A Historic Vermont Bike Trail in Brattleboro and Dummerston

The West River Trail’s Lower Section in Brattleboro and Dummerston is just over three miles of flat terrain with a mix of compact dirt and fine gravel. (Slow down around pedestrians and let them know you’re passing.)

Start at the Marina Trailhead off Route 5 and head north. If you’re looking to add a couple of extra miles to your ride, pedal up Rice Farm Road, a lightly traveled dirt road, to the Dummerston Covered Bridge.

For details, visit westrivertrail.org.

What are your favorite Vermont bike trails?