Vermont's 5 Most Popular Trail Networks According to Trailforks Data
What the Green Mountain State lacks in square mileage, it more than makes up for in its sheer volume of mountain bike trails. Famous for its rural and rustic beauty, as well as its embrace of outdoor recreation, Vermont is home to some of the best riding and riders anywhere in the United States. Though it missed out on being a part of the 13 original colonies (it was the 14th state admitted in 1791), it may very well be at the top of the heap in terms of best states for mountain biking. The state is loaded with trail organizations and advocacy groups, as well as a number of other 501(c)3 associations focused on trail development and access.
We wanted to see which networks in the Green Mountain State were the most popular, and so we headed to our sister site Trailforks to get the intel. Trailforks is a trail management system for riders, builders and associations and it aims to provide the very best tools to inventory, maintain, promote and showcase trail networks. By using the Trailforks ridelog feature, we were able to take a look at which trail networks across the state are the most ridden. While this is an accurate representation based on user input, this is not a list of favorites or "best trails" per se. It is a direct reflection of Trailforks usage, and if you want to ensure that your own riding has an impact on lists like this, you can do so by connecting your Strava account to TF, or by simply using the tracking feature in the Trailforks app itself. This information can make for some spirited conversation, but more importantly can be leveraged by trail associations in their advocacy efforts.
Kingdom Trails is an enormously popular trail network located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. There are over 100 miles of off non-motorized recreational trail, the overwhelming majority of which are built on private land. The trails are well known for their flowy and playful nature, and are built and managed by the Kingdom Trail Association (KTA), a 501(c)3 charitable organization, which was established in 1994 by a group of visionary residents and business leaders in the area. Their goal is to encourage recreational use of the Northeast Kingdom that is ecologically sensitive and promotes the natural beauty of the region. Burke Bike Park is adjacent to the Kingdom Trails, and while a lift pass is required to use the lifts, there is some connectivity at various points between the Kingdom Trails and the bike park trails as well.
Kingdom Trails mountain biking trails
Cady Hill is located in the heart of the venerable mountain community of Stowe. There are close to 15 miles of trail, with a vertical drop of just under 400 feet from top to bottom. Cady Hill Forest has a variety of single track trails, most of which are permitted for mountain biking, and well-used for that purpose. The area is heavily forested with two vantage points having great mountain views, and furnished with special green chairs. The trails are on 320 acres owned by the Town of Stowe, with a conservation easement held by Stowe Land Trust providing perpetual public, outdoor recreational use of the property; protecting biological diversity, important wildlife habitat and natural communities; and providing opportunities for timber management and harvesting of timber and non-timber resources. The Stowe Trails Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, managing and maintaining over 35 miles of trails on public and private land throughout Stowe.
Cady Hill Forest mountain biking trails
Killington Bike Park is located along the spine of the Green Mountains in the town of Killington. It's built off of the state's second highest peak, and is the largest lift-served bike park in all of New England. Featuring three high-speed lifts serving well over 30 miles of trails, Killington Bike Park has terrain suitable for everyone. There are three unique mountain areas make up our gravity-fueled bike park-
Snowshed: Home of our beginner terrain with plenty of intermediate trails to keep you busy once you get the hang of it.
Ramshead: Home of our signature freestyle trails and intermediate and advanced terrain for bikers who've graduated from Snowshed.
Killington Peak: We've been offering classic New England trails featuring plenty of rock and roots for over 25 years off Killington Peak.
Killington Bike Park mountain biking trails
Mount Ascutney stands high above its surroundings in Brownsville, VT and is home to 45 miles of mostly XC-oriented trails located at its base. Starting in August of 2006, members of Sport Trails of the Ascutney Basin, now the Ascutney Trails Association, began building trails more amenable to mountain biking, trail running and back-country skiing. The trails are open to the public with an extensive signing system and maps sold at Brownsville Butcher & Pantry, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Ascutney Mountain Resort, and local bike shops. Since its formation in 1967, ATA has been stewards of the summit-bound hiking trails along with the state park personnel. In its new incarnation, Ascutney Trails Association manages trails for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and backcountry skiing on the mountain and the surrounding towns. This includes keeping the upper slopes of the former Ascutney ski area open for backcountry skiing, stewarding many, many miles of private MTB trail networks and starting in 2021 building non-motorized multi-use trails in the Weathersfield Town Forest, accessible from the Swoops & Loops Trailhead.
Ascutney Trails mountain biking trails
Pine Hill Park offers 16 miles of single-track trail spread over 325 acres of terrain offering some of the very best mountain biking, trail running, hiking, walking, snowshoeing, and geocaching in the central Vermont region. Pine Hill Park is attached to the Redfield and Carriage Trails for a total of 26 miles of riding. Pine Hill Park is owned by the City of Rutland, Vermont and is stewarded by the Pine Hill Partnership, a non-profit volunteer organization formed to manage the trails for the enjoyment of all who love the outdoors. Trail construction and maintenance is conducted by volunteers who have donated tens of thousands of strenuous man-hours. All of the dirt digging, shoveling, bridge building, and signage has been entirely donated by volunteers coordinated through the Pine Hill Partnership.
Pine Hill Park mountain biking trails
We wanted to see which networks in the Green Mountain State were the most popular, and so we headed to our sister site Trailforks to get the intel. Trailforks is a trail management system for riders, builders and associations and it aims to provide the very best tools to inventory, maintain, promote and showcase trail networks. By using the Trailforks ridelog feature, we were able to take a look at which trail networks across the state are the most ridden. While this is an accurate representation based on user input, this is not a list of favorites or "best trails" per se. It is a direct reflection of Trailforks usage, and if you want to ensure that your own riding has an impact on lists like this, you can do so by connecting your Strava account to TF, or by simply using the tracking feature in the Trailforks app itself. This information can make for some spirited conversation, but more importantly can be leveraged by trail associations in their advocacy efforts.
Kingdom Trails is an enormously popular trail network located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. There are over 100 miles of off non-motorized recreational trail, the overwhelming majority of which are built on private land. The trails are well known for their flowy and playful nature, and are built and managed by the Kingdom Trail Association (KTA), a 501(c)3 charitable organization, which was established in 1994 by a group of visionary residents and business leaders in the area. Their goal is to encourage recreational use of the Northeast Kingdom that is ecologically sensitive and promotes the natural beauty of the region. Burke Bike Park is adjacent to the Kingdom Trails, and while a lift pass is required to use the lifts, there is some connectivity at various points between the Kingdom Trails and the bike park trails as well.
Cady Hill is located in the heart of the venerable mountain community of Stowe. There are close to 15 miles of trail, with a vertical drop of just under 400 feet from top to bottom. Cady Hill Forest has a variety of single track trails, most of which are permitted for mountain biking, and well-used for that purpose. The area is heavily forested with two vantage points having great mountain views, and furnished with special green chairs. The trails are on 320 acres owned by the Town of Stowe, with a conservation easement held by Stowe Land Trust providing perpetual public, outdoor recreational use of the property; protecting biological diversity, important wildlife habitat and natural communities; and providing opportunities for timber management and harvesting of timber and non-timber resources. The Stowe Trails Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, managing and maintaining over 35 miles of trails on public and private land throughout Stowe.
Killington Bike Park is located along the spine of the Green Mountains in the town of Killington. It's built off of the state's second highest peak, and is the largest lift-served bike park in all of New England. Featuring three high-speed lifts serving well over 30 miles of trails, Killington Bike Park has terrain suitable for everyone. There are three unique mountain areas make up our gravity-fueled bike park-
Snowshed: Home of our beginner terrain with plenty of intermediate trails to keep you busy once you get the hang of it.
Ramshead: Home of our signature freestyle trails and intermediate and advanced terrain for bikers who've graduated from Snowshed.
Killington Peak: We've been offering classic New England trails featuring plenty of rock and roots for over 25 years off Killington Peak.
Mount Ascutney stands high above its surroundings in Brownsville, VT and is home to 45 miles of mostly XC-oriented trails located at its base. Starting in August of 2006, members of Sport Trails of the Ascutney Basin, now the Ascutney Trails Association, began building trails more amenable to mountain biking, trail running and back-country skiing. The trails are open to the public with an extensive signing system and maps sold at Brownsville Butcher & Pantry, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Ascutney Mountain Resort, and local bike shops. Since its formation in 1967, ATA has been stewards of the summit-bound hiking trails along with the state park personnel. In its new incarnation, Ascutney Trails Association manages trails for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and backcountry skiing on the mountain and the surrounding towns. This includes keeping the upper slopes of the former Ascutney ski area open for backcountry skiing, stewarding many, many miles of private MTB trail networks and starting in 2021 building non-motorized multi-use trails in the Weathersfield Town Forest, accessible from the Swoops & Loops Trailhead.
Pine Hill Park offers 16 miles of single-track trail spread over 325 acres of terrain offering some of the very best mountain biking, trail running, hiking, walking, snowshoeing, and geocaching in the central Vermont region. Pine Hill Park is attached to the Redfield and Carriage Trails for a total of 26 miles of riding. Pine Hill Park is owned by the City of Rutland, Vermont and is stewarded by the Pine Hill Partnership, a non-profit volunteer organization formed to manage the trails for the enjoyment of all who love the outdoors. Trail construction and maintenance is conducted by volunteers who have donated tens of thousands of strenuous man-hours. All of the dirt digging, shoveling, bridge building, and signage has been entirely donated by volunteers coordinated through the Pine Hill Partnership.
Regions in Article
Cady Hill Forest, Killington Bike Park, Pine Hill Park, Ascutney Trails, Kingdom Trails
Must Read This Week
81 Comments
Killy is fun, but I'm not sure a DH only park really should be in this list. Just down the road is the Green Mountain Trails network which also should be in the top 5.
Cady is fun but very small. Good for a late afternoon ride when you get into town.
Ascutney is legit. And just next door is the new/old enduro stuff at Arrowhead in Claremont.
Kingdom, meh, especially after the loss of all that terrain. Middle of nowhere and really far from anywhere. Like I said, Cochran's and the neighboring trails rivals it, closer to everywhere, and real civilization.
Was up in the Killington area a couple weeks ago and rode GMT on Friday, Killington Saturday and Ascutney on the way home Sunday. All were great!
"By using the Trailforks ridelog feature, we were able to take a look at which trail networks across the state are the most ridden. While this is an accurate representation based on user input, this is not a list of favorites or "best trails" per se."
"Traffic was terrible" -> I got stuck behind three vigilantes going the actual speed limit on rt 12 and couldn't pass them
"That spot's totally blown up" -> I went for a ride there and saw another person
"The entire human population was at Killington this weekend" -> (in the summer) I had to wait in line for 30 seconds before I got on the lift
"The entire human population was at Killington this weekend" -> (in the winter) No, literally the entire human population was at Killington this weekend, it was miserable
"By using the Trailforks ridelog feature, we were able to take a look at which trail networks across the state are the most ridden. While this is an accurate representation based on user input, this is not a list of favorites or "best trails" per se."
Three nearly identical articles, but I only see one in the Pinkbike feed. Location limited/based articles to track more localized engagement? How's about 3 nearly identical comments asking for some of that sweet promised transparency?
Vermont:
www.pinkbike.com/news/vermonts-5-most-popular-trail-networks.html
Arizona:
www.pinkbike.com/u/briceshirbach/blog/arizonas-top-5-trails.html
Oregon:
www.pinkbike.com/news/oregons-5-most-popular-trail-networks.html
This is incredibly low-effort b.s. not worthy of the PB front page. Even for a trailforks advert this is sad.
Trailforks and Pinkbike are sister sites (like it says in the intro), we're not pretending to be unbiased in using TF data to pull information these stories.
We got pulled into other stuff yesterday but today we'll pull all ~5 of the articles into a single article for the global homepage.
1. Go to Trailforks and enter the state you're interested in
2. Click on the 'areas' tab. (you can also toggle this by specific trail instead...just click the 'trail' tab)
3. Scroll down to the sort dropdown menu and choose "ridden counter"
4. Hit the order dropdown menu next and choose "descending"
5. Every trail region/network will be organized from most ridden to least
All the trails in Vermont are absolute garbage, or so I've heard...