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BIKING AROUND BURLINGTON
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Mountain bikers have more than 1000 miles of singletrack to explore in the Green Mountain State, from buff machine-built adaptive and beginner-friendly forest paths to steep and technical rock rolls, root mats, and swooping berms. Twenty-nine chapters of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association build and maintain trails state-wide, and other mountain biking trail systems, from lift-serve to cross-country, welcome riders with a day ticket or season pass. Sunny Hollow, in Colchester, is a gentle introduction to Vermont mountain biking. Saxon Hill, in Essex, is famous for its flow. Ready to get rowdy? Head south to explore Hinesburg Town Forest, Carse, Sleepy Hollow, and Cochran’s, or throw on your knee pads and hop on the lift at Sugarbush.
Road bikers can access endless miles of quiet backroads bordering cornfields polka-dotted with classic red barns and black and white Holsteins straight from Burlington. The sinuous and steep Appalachian Gap hill climb is a rite of passage. If you want a bigger challenge, try the 103-mile, 10,00 feet of climbing Vermont Grand Fondo, which adds three more mountain passes to the ride, including Lincoln Gap, which is 24% grade in spots. That’s almost as big an accomplishment as the 100-200, a double century on Vermont’s Rt. 100.
For those who prefer to travel at a conversational pace, pedal the Burlington Bike Path to the Island Line Trail, then continue into the Champlain Islands with a bump from the bike ferry. Or try Local Motion’s Cycle the City route to learn about the history, culture, and natural splendor of Burlington.
Gravel riders have a treasure trove of dirt byways to explore, as well as fourth class roads and trail galore. Stick to mapped bikepacking routes, or get lost on purpose and discover your own favorite ride. Asking directions from an old-timer can be as colorful and experience as powering up and racing down Vermont’s dirt road gaps. Be sure to find a stream to soak your tired legs post ride then reward yourself with a maple creemee, local microbrew, or a sweet treat from a local bakery.
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Vermont is home to the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States, the steep and rocky, 273-mile Long Trail. And for every heart-pounding mile of the Long Trail, Vermont has just as many nature walks, forest meanders, day hikes and overnights from family-friendly to sweaty and exposed.
Roughly 120-miles long and 14 miles at its widest, the craggy shoreline of Lake Champlain holds adventures for every paddler. Lake Champlain laps at the shores of downtown Burlington, where parks, public beaches, and boat launches provide easy put-ins for canoeists, kayakers, stand up paddleboarders, and dragon boaters. Paddler’s trails crisscross the lake, and connect with other waterways for every length adventure.
Vermont’s rock is predominantly green schist and limestone. Venture further. But whatever the geology, climbing in Vermont is thought provoking, featured, and technical with tricky crux sequences that will challenge you to master unique and dynamic body positions, and reward you panoramic views of the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain from above the lush forest canopy.