This section of our site is still under construction.
WARNING: In 2023 many parts of Vermont were heavily impacted by floods. Some of these routes may pass through areas that were impacted, and thus, the route may require detours, or may not be passible. Check with local road conditions, MTB trail chapters and other resources. We will work on updating the conditions of these routes over the next year. Your feedback and help is greatly appreciated.
Routes are separated into four terrain types below. Each button designates the most notable characteristics of the ride: for instance clicking on the Flat button in the Paved section takes you to the flattest paved ride options we have. You can also scroll down, routes are color coded per terrain type.
Longer rides in Vermont mean long climbs. You will find longer distances under those sections.
| Flat Rides | Grades less than 7% no single climb greater than 400 feet. Typically less than 1000 feet total elevation gain. It is difficult to find a flat ride in our part of the world, here the best version of a flat ride in Vermont. |
| Short Climb Rides | Grades that usually average less than 7%, climbs are typically around a mile (unless noted), rides are typically around 1600 feet (or less) of total elevation gain. |
| Steep Climb Rides | Shorter rides usually no more than 25-27 miles with steeper grades and plenty of total elevation gain. |
| Long Climb Rides | These rides will have steep climbs and also have long sustained climbs, they will also be longer than 25 miles. |
Gravel
Unpaved and smooth to rutty or kind of smooth off road.
Class IV
Rough unpaved roads, single track double track, jeep trails. If you’re interested in Class IV your not interested in classification. Skip to the routes by clicking the button below.
MTB
Single track, double track, off road bicycle specific trails.
Paved
Pavement may have a short section of extremely smooth dirt or gravel terrain.
Gravel Rides
Flat Rides – grades less than 7% no single climb greater than 400 feet. Typically less than 1000 feet total elevation gain.
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Buy Things at Red Hen Loop | So many things to enjoy on this ride. Red Hen Bakery, the quiet valley between Montpelier and Middlesex, and the optional Lovers Ln. Loop. | Strava link with map and gps files |
Short Climbs – Grades that average less than 7%, climbs are typically around a mile (unless noted), rides are typically less than 1500 feet of total elevation gain.
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Above Williamstown Loop | Starting in Barre Town, enjoy some amazing views while riding the hills above Williamstown Vermont | Strava link with map and gps files |
| East Corinth Loop | A barely noticeable slightly uphill that gains 600 feet over 7 miles makes for a great start to this ride. This ride is half gravel half paved. A healthy mix of gravel and pavement and a little bit of gentle class 4 makes for a lovely intermediate length ride for folks who aren’t so sure they’re ready. Your ready. Go for it. | Strava link with map and gps file |
| Bestie Time in the Country. | This route comes from Chris at Vermont Bicycle Club. We struggled with putting this in the Steep Climb category, but at the end of the day the climbs aren’t all that steep and are pretty easy. The takes riders on a short 2 to 2.5 hour (17 mile) ride through some amazing back roads. It’s an ideal ride to stretch your legs without wearing you out. With plenty of sites and quiet roads It can be a great way to introduce your best friend to Vermont back road riding. | Strava link with map and gps file |
Steep Climbs – Shorter rides usually no more than 25-27 miles with steeper grades and plenty of total elevation gain.
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Kelsey’s Bliss Pond Loop | This is an excellent gravel tour of the East Montpelier area that includes a couple of significant climbs, beautiful views of ponds, meadows, and trees. | Strava link with map and gps files |
Long Climbs – These rides will have steep climbs and also have long sustained climbs, they will also be longer than 25 miles.
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Tour off the 3 Montpeliers | If you’re looking for climbs and views and more climbs and more views, this ride is for you. You’ll ride from East Montpelier to Worcester and back through Calais. | Strava link with map and gps files |
| Let’s Ride All the Way to Willoughby!😂 | Another great ride from Chris. Lake Willoughby is world famous for a reason. So Chris came up with ultimate way to earn those views with this 45 mile loop that starts off with a bang. A dumb, steep, 3 mile, 900 foot climb get’s things going in all the wrong ways. After you’ve blown yourself up there will be a few other climbs in the mix to give you 4400 feet of elevation gain, at least the ride ends in a ripping descent. | Strava link with map and gps files |
| Toot My Own Horn | What I love about this the Washington-Vershire area is you can find some pretty sustained descents. Which can be tough to be had in the area surrounding Barre. Chris’ 50 mile loop here takes us on some of the best backroads in the state and fits with the tradition of riding back roads in Vermont, for every mile there will be 100 feet of climbing. | Strava link with map and gps files |
Paved Rides
Flat Rides – grades less than 7% no single climb greater than 400 feet. Typically less than 1000 feet total elevation gain.
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Barre to Montpelier | A short ride from Vermont Bicycle Shop to Montpelier and back, 17 miles | Strava link with map and gps files |
| Williamstown out and back | A 23 mile ride from the lovely town of Williamstown out South Hwy 14. Not much of a shoulder, there’s also hardly any traffic. | Strava link with map and gps files |
Short Climbs – Grades that average less than 7%, climbs are typically around a mile (unless noted), rides are typically less than 1500 feet of total elevation gain.
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Cobble Hills Loop | A pleasant climb out of Barre towards the hills above, visiting the bike paths of Barre Town before cautiously descending back to Barre City. NOTE!! First climb is a little over 2 miles. | Strava link with map and gps file |
| East Corinth Loop | A barely noticeable slightly uphill that gains 600 feet over 7 miles makes for a great start to this ride. This ride is half gravel half paved. A healthy mix of gravel and pavement and a little bit of gentle class 4 makes for a lovely intermediate length ride for folks who aren’t so sure they’re ready. Your ready. Go for it. | Strava link with map and gps file |
Steep Climbs – Shorter rides usually no more than 25-27 miles with steeper grades and plenty of total elevation gain.
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Brookfield Floating Bridge to Randolph | This would be a pretty mellow bike ride aside from a couple of the climbs. A great option for beginners who are looking to mix in some hills. | Strava link with map and gps file |
Long Climbs – These rides will have steep climbs and also have long sustained climbs, they will also be longer than 25 miles.
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Smuggler’s Notch the Easy Way. | One of the most beautiful climbs in Central Vermont. For someone looking for a real climb and a bit of distance without breaking yourself in the process. | Strava link with map and gps file |
Class IV
Rough unpaved roads, single track double track, jeep trails.
Ride names for class IV rides list total miles and total amount of elevation gain.
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Big Beautiful Barre 49 miles, 5570ft | WARNING: This route was heavily impacted by floods. Rider beware. *Millstone Day Pass required for this ride. Click here! Barre is full of steep climbs, why not experience all of them? Well, it’s not all of them, it only seems like it. You will see some of the best views in the state on this ride. Everything from the world famous “Sunset Over Camel’s Hump” photographers spot to The Grand Lookout at Millstone Trails. You’ll ride a section of the Millstone Trails MTB network that is a little spicy and totally rideable with 40mm tires. | Strava link with map and gps files |
| Hardwood Mountain Loop Short 22 Miles, 1830ft | WARNING: This route was heavily impacted by floods. Rider beware. Bogs, single track, bike swallowing puddles, rock gardens, and a hike-a-bike across the top of a beaver dam. Bring a pocket saw and lunch. Why haven’t you clicked the link yet? | Strava link with map and gps files |
| Hardwood Mountain Just a Lil Bit Longer Now Loop 28 Miles, 2700ft | WARNING: This route was heavily impacted by floods. Rider beware. This variation adds our More Down Than Up single track MTB loop to the mix. Experienced gravel riders who love a little under biking will be right at home on this loop. | Strava link with map and gps files |
| Woodchuck to Atherton Notch 20 Miles, 2700ft | WARNING: This route was heavily impacted by floods. Rider beware. It’s the best class 4 that Washington Vermont has to offer. Enjoy some whacky class 4 roads with VASA users (the ATV Organization that maintains some of the public right of ways in Vermont, wave hello!) big rock gardens, bogs, ancient roads, and the best of Vermont gravel. Right out the Millstone Trails back door. | Strava link with map and gps files |