Mountain Biking in Central Vermont

Randolph Trail Network

About 20 miles of singletrack through Randolph and Braintree on a mix of public and private land, maintained by the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective. The network ranges from beginner-friendly loops to technical advanced lines. Key trails include Sap Boiler (beginner-intermediate stacked loop), Old Gent's (intermediate-advanced with a summit vista on Sugar Knob), Apple Core, River Run, and Reservoir Loop.

New in 2025: the Fern-o Loop, a machine-groomed beginner trail in Sayward Forest funded by grants from the Lamson Howell Foundation and the Vermont Mountain Bike Association. Ridgeline runs a group ride series from early June through mid-October, and the annual Slab City Trail Challenge (held in August) links the full network in a ~20-mile fundraiser ride. Start at The Gear House for maps, current trail conditions, and rentals.

The Back 40

A 2-mile machine-built flow loop through rolling forest at Vermont Technical College, the closest trails to the campground, just down the road on Furnace Road. Blue-rated (intermediate) with scenic viewpoints, banked turns, and tight switchbacks. Access via Langevin House off Furnace Road. Part of the broader Randolph Trail Network but distinct in character, the closest thing to a flow park in the area. Groomed for fat biking in winter when conditions allow.

Braintree Mountain Forest

Backcountry-style riding through Green Mountain terrain, also maintained by Ridgeline Outdoor Collective. More remote and rugged than the Randolph or Rochester networks. Check with The Gear House for current trail conditions and access before heading out.

Rochester Valley Trails — "Kingdom of Flow"

Nearly 20 miles of trails that combine classic hand-cut "RAWchester" singletrack — Atlas, Link, Earls, Spreader — with newer machine-built flow trails. The mix has earned Rochester the nickname "Kingdom of Flow," a nod to Kingdom Trails in the Northeast Kingdom.

The trails access multiple views of the narrow Route 100 valley through U.S. Forest Service and private land. The network is part of the Velomont Trail corridor, an ongoing effort to connect mountain bike networks from Massachusetts to Canada. Managed by Ridgeline Outdoor Collective in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. Park at Green Mountain Bikes for rentals and trail info.

Millstone Hill — Millstone Trails

30 miles of trails on 1,500 acres of historic granite quarry land in Barre, maintained by the Millstone Trails Association (a VMBA chapter). The network is divided into three areas: Barre Town Forest (400 acres, beginner-friendly), Gnome Man's Land (advanced terrain), and Canyonlands. Trails weave past old quarries, granite grout piles, and scenic vistas. Some expert trails here are among the most challenging in the state, with large cliffs and steep drop-offs near the quarries, but there's plenty of green and blue trail for less experienced riders. Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes allowed.

Pittsfield / Green Mountain Trails

25 miles of singletrack across 41 trails with 1,000 feet of vertical, located 8 miles north of Killington. The terrain is equally divided among novice, intermediate, and advanced, with over 100 bermed switchbacks and descents as long as 6 miles. Self-supported shuttle runs are possible by parking vehicles at Tweed Cabin and Amee Farm trailheads. Important: trails have been closed October through January in recent years for logging, check the website or VMBA conditions before visiting in fall or early winter.

WAMBA Trails — Woodstock Area

Over 30 miles of purpose-built singletrack maintained by the Woodstock Area Mountain Bike Association (WAMBA), a VMBA chapter founded in 2016, spread across three networks each with its own character.

Mt. Peg — Over 16 miles on the outskirts of Woodstock village, mixing machine-built flow with hand-built technical singletrack. The southern section features Sir Bermsalot (one of the flowiest combos in Vermont) and Cloud Drop; the adaptive-accessible Village Trail climbs a mile to the summit.

Aqueduct Trails — 13 miles of flowing, modern trail in West Woodstock with 600+ feet of gain, including a pump track for beginners plus advanced features.

Saskadena Six — Green and blue trails at the ski area formerly known as Suicide Six, with adaptive-accessible trails built with Vermont Adaptive. Rentals at the Activity Center. Open June through October. All WAMBA trails are free.

The Gear House — Randolph

Mountain bike rentals, repairs, maps, trail conditions. The central hub for everything Randolph-area biking, and the starting point for the Randolph trails, the Braintree 5 gravel ride, and the Slab City Trail Challenge. If you're riding in the area, stop here first.

Green Mountain Bikes — Rochester

Mountain bike rentals ($50/day, $75 e-bike), repairs, and local trail knowledge. In business for 39 years, with parking available for Rochester Valley Trails access.