Small City, Big Riding

Vermont urban meets MTB in Burlington.

3 Riding Days • 5 Trail Networks • Funky Semi-Urban Experience • Recreate On, In, and By the Lake

Ryan Bent Photo

Burlington, VT

Burlington doesn’t require its visitors to bring a bike to have a good time, but you’ll be surprised by how much great riding is there.

Burlington stuns with its natural beauty, youthful energy, and creative community. Award-winning restaurants, galleries, and artists’ studios are everywhere—and so are trails. Whether you want to cruise the bike path along the lake or get rowdy on some singletrack, you don’t have to venture far to find quality riding.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Itinerary

Enjoy modern rooms with sweeping lake views at Hotel Vermont. (Courtesy Photo)

ARRIVAL DAY

Say Hello to Lake Champlain

Check into Hotel Vermont for its local character, attention to detail, and central location. Walk over to Battery Park, the hill that made this place a choice point of defense during the War of 1812 now permits panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Continue on to the Island Line Trail for some extra mileage, or head back to the hotel, where some of the best dining in town is only steps away. A second location of Waterbury’s famous Hen of the Wood is right next door, but Juniper, the hotel’s in-house restaurant with outside dining on the terrace is an often-overlooked gem.

Fun-filled descents abound at Saxon Hill. (Ryan Bent for VMBA)

DAY ONE - MORNING

Explore Saxon Hill

It’s a quick thirty-minute drive to the Saxon Hill trail system near Essex for the day’s riding. On your way there, make a pitstop at The Firebird Cafe, a quick, energetic spot that serves a classic breakfast menu as well as single-origin coffee roasted by nearby Good Luck Coffee Roasters. From the trailhead, beginner and intermediate riders can find loops aplenty on the hills to the west, while more advanced riders should ascend Saxon Hill, where a number of dowhill-only trails welcome “wee!s” and a lighter touch on the brakes. 

To get one of these, order a “small maple maple in a cone, please.” (Courtesy Photo)

DAY ONE - BREAK

Experience a Maple Creemee Ascension

No matter the size of your your appetite or your ride, a short detour to Jericho’s Palmer Lane Maple is mandatory. Operated by a family of first-generation sugarmakers, Palmer Lane Maple is widely known for its incredible maple creemees covered with house-made maple sprinkles. Take a seat on the porch and enjoy Vermont’s favorite sweet treat as the cars cruise by. 

You’ll marvel at the creations in Conant Metal and Light. (Courtesy Photo)

DAY ONE - AFTERNOON

Slow Down in a Local Art Studio

Back in Burlington, explore the town. In recent years, the area on and around Pine Street has bloomed with creative energy, transforming from a gritty industrial corridor to a hotspot for artists and entrepreneurs. For example: once a bottling facility for Venetian Ginger Ale, the Soda Plant now serves as a studio, gallery, and shop space for more than forty local makers. Kish, a slow-fashion boutique, is worth a stop, as is Project Object Vintage for its collection of pre-millennial finds. Finish the day at Zero Gravity Beer Hall and grab an order of dirty fries. 

“Lower Saxon is very approachable for pretty much everyone, including kids. If you want a massive day, you can start at Sleepy Hollow and ride all the way through Hinesburg Town Forest to Carse and then back.”

Breakfast perfection at Cafe Hot: a #8, dark roast and a bonut. (Courtesy Photo)

DAY TWO - MORNING

Learn a New Way to Eat an Egg

Embrace a dose of morning maximalism and take your breakfast at The Cafe Hot. Laid-back but dialed, this local favorite is known for its award-winning breakfast sandwiches served on decadent brioche buns. Try the #8, their classic chicken-fried sandwich that contains crispy, airy scrambled eggs and—gasp—no chicken. Tack on an order of “bonuts” (biscuit donuts) and you’ll have yourself a proper meal.

VIDEO: Sheep Thrills at Hinesburg Town Forest (Trailforks FOTW)

DAY TWO - MORNING

Choose Your Riding Adventure

Experts should drive to the trails at Sleepy Hollow Ski & Bike Center and Hinesburg Town Forest to enjoy the rougher pleasures of old-school rake and ride trails. Lunch will be at The Parkside Cafe. 

Novices (or those looking for a mellower cruise) should hop on the Island Line Trail and ride all the way out the Colchester Causeway, which arcs three miles out in the middle of Lake Champlain. For a longer ride, take the Local Motion Bike Ferry over to South Hero Island and ride to Wally’s Place for lunch. Otherwise, head back to the Burlington waterfront and pull in to The Skinny Pancake, a Vermont classic. 

Sail, SUP, canoe or kayak on the Burlington waterfront. (Courtesy Photo)

DAY TWO - AFTERNOON

Sail or paddle on Lake Champlain

The non-profit Community Sailing Center has helped the people of Burlington ply the waters of Lake Champlain for over twenty years. If you know how to sail, rent a boat and let the wind carry you away. Otherwise, you can book a lesson or paddle a SUP, kayak, or canoe out on your own. Back ashore, follow the breeze off the lake into Foam Brewers for a beer with a view. Order a heady pour of one of their tropical IPAS, such as Built to Spill, and watch the sunset over the lake. 

Honey Road’s mediterranean small plates are as creative as their sign. (Courtesy photo)

DAY TWO - EVENING

Share Plates at Honey Road

After a day of splitting up, it’s time to share. Head to Honey Road for dinner, where a reservation ensures that you won’t have to cross your fingers for a bar seat. The recipient of several James Beard Award nominations (plus a “Top American Dishes of 2023” accolade from The New York Times), Honey Road’s Eastern Mediterranean menu is all hits. Order up a smattering of share plates and enjoy the big flavors and elevated atmosphere. 

Be at the Grey Jay one minute before 9 AM. It’s popular. (Courtesy Photo)

DAY THREE - MORNING

A Honey, Sunny Start to the Day

If you loved Honey Road (or didn’t get in), walk to breakfast at The Grey Jay, their more casual, breakfast- and lunch-only counterpart. Whet your appetite with a Double Chocolate Urfa (that’s a smokey, dried chile flake) Old Fashioned Donut, or a Halloumi Biscuit, then go all in with one of their creative mains. On your way out of town, spin some easy miles at nearby Sunny Hollow, which has trails for riders of all abilities. And, last but not least, stop at Misery Loves Company for a sandwich or road snacks for the drive home.

Stay, Eat, Shop

WHERE TO STAY, EAT, & SHOP

  • Hotel Vermont welcomes guests to downtown Burlington with modern accommodations, lake views, and a rustic vibe. 

    Blind Tiger** is a grand brick mansion just a short stroll to Church Street, Lake Champlain waterfront and other lively neighborhoods in downtown Burlington.

    Hotel Champlain is a landmark lakefront hotel situated right between downtown and the beautiful Lake Champlain.

    ** Offers a VMBA Member Benefit

  • Hen of the Wood maintains relationships with a local network of growers, artisans, designers, ranchers, bakers, wild crafters, and other producers to serve a farm-to-table menu that changes daily. 

    Juniper is Hotel Vermont’s in-house restaurant that serves fresh, local food on the shores of Lake Champlain. 

    The Firebird Cafe** is a lively spot for a quick, classic breakfast. 

    Palmer Lane Maple is a local maple syrup producer with a reputation for making some of the best maple creemees around. 

    Zero Gravity Beer Hall** serves brews from the source in a bright and spacious tap room and kitchen. 

    Cafe Hot dished one of the best restaurant meals of 2023 (according to Bon Appetit) and serves a sneakily meat-free menu all morning long.  

    The Parkside Cafe (in Hinesburg) is a homey spot (porch included) for tea, coffee, and a quick bite to eat. 

    Skinny Pancake** is quickly becoming a Vermont institution for its wide selection of sweet and savory crepes as well as its dedication to supporting local producers.

    Foam Brewers is a brewery dedicated to the craft and characterized by the funk—look up for a disco ball and look ahead to catching some live music. 

    Honey Road is a popular purveyor of superb Eastern Mediterranean mezze—just make sure you have a reservation.  

    Brio Coffee is a women-owned, nationally renowned, and locally loved specialty coffee roaster. 

    Haymaker Bun Company is a James Beard semi-finalist known for its transcendent baked goods. 

    The Grey Jay is Honey Road’s more casual counterpart serving Eastern Mediterranean-inspired dishes all day long. 

    Misery Loves Company makes a mean sandwich and also stocks all the cute artisanal foodstuffs you could want. 

    Folino’s** slings naturally-leavened sourdough pizzas cooked hot in a wood-fired oven.

    Burlington Beer Company** is known for its IPAs and serves its distinctive brews from a massive, many-windowed, 120 year-old brick building. 

    Nest Coffee and Bakery** Locally roasted and brewed Coffee with fresh baked goods on the daily, on Main Street in Essex Junction

    Jericho Cafe and Tavern** Known locally as JCat, stop in for lunch, or catch dinner and a show, as they frequently host local musicians.

    Switchback Beer Garden** Nestled in a historic brick building at the brewery, the beer garden features a cozy bar, full kitchen, and plenty of space for dining indoors or out on their expansive dog-friendly patio.

    ** Offers a VMBA Member Benefit

  • Outdoor Gear Exchange** is a large, locally-owned retailer that can serve all your outdoor gear needs—mountain biking included.

    Skirack** is also a bike shop (!) offering sales and service in downtown Burlington. 

    Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness** was founded in 1953 as a bicycle and lawn mower repair shop. Bike fixes of all kinds remain on the service menu, but you’ll have to take your John Deere elsewhere. 

    North Star Sports** is a longtime local shop that rents hybrid and gravel bikes that are great for cruising the shoes of Lake Champlain. 

    Old Spokes Home** is a 501(c)(3) non-profit bike shop that improves access to bikes for the whole community. 

    Bespoke Bike Shop**, as the name suggests, will help you with a fresh build-up, and as experienced mechanics, they’re the folks to turn to when it’s time for a tune-up or to repair your ride.

    No Bad Days** is dedicated to servicing today’s sophisticated bikes, everything from brake pad installs to regreasing, recabling and truing wheels, with free pickup and delivery available.

    Mountain Trail Paddleboard and Bikes** will keep you happy on the trail and on the water. If you’re thinking of a new bike but not sure what to do with your old one, they accept trade-ins.

    ** Offers a VMBA Member Benefit

  • The Community Sailing Center offers sailboat, paddle board, kayak, and canoe rentals and lessons on the shores of Lake Champlain. 

    Petra Cliffs Climbing Center and Mountaineering School** is right on the south edge of town and a great place to exercise inside on a rainy day. 

    The Soda Plant is home to a variety of shops, studios, and galleries run by local makers.

    Shop along Pine Street, where finds of all kinds—the new and the vintage, the local and the curated—abound. Kish, Project Object Vintage, and Skida are all worth a visit. 

    Burlington Farmers Market convenes some of Vermont’s best makers, craftspeople, and farmers for a weekly marketplace. 

    ** Offers a VMBA Member Benefit

  • You can save a lot of money by becoming a VMBA member before your trip! 

    Becoming a VMBA member supports mountain biking and trails throughout Vermont, as well as our local chapters. 

    Everyone is welcome. Individual memberships are $60, with discounts available for families and those under 25. 

    Join VMBA today for immediate access to the member benefits in this region, through our App**.

    STAY:

    EAT & DRINK

    BIKE SHOPS

    • Bespoke Bike Shop
      10% Off shop labor and in-stock components and accessories
      20% Off full suspension service (excluding parts)

    • Earl's Cyclery & Fitness
      5% Off a full-priced bike
      15% Off full service plus or a deluxe tune package

    • Land Air
      One Free MTB Demo

    • Mountain Trail Paddleboard and Bikes
      50% Off any left over in stock SUP
      15% Off any one item (Restrictions Apply)
      10% off parts and accessories

    • No Bad Day
      20% Off all winter services
      15% Off all bike services
      10% Off all membership plans

    • Old Spokes Home
      10% Off new parts, clothing & accessories

    • Outdoor Gear Exchange
      50% Off one rental (Summer or Winter)
      20% Off one suspension service (excludes parts)
      50% Off Phantom permanent waxless Glide Treatment

    • Skirack
      15% Off bike accessories, parts and clothing

    • North Star Sports
      10% Off parts and accessories

    ACTIVITIES

    BIKE PARKS / TRAIL PASSES

    ONLINE OFFERS

    • Rack Warehouse 
      10% discount off of MSRP on select brands such as Thule, Yakima, Rocky Mounts & Kuat

    Becoming a VMBA member supports mountain biking and trails throughout Vermont, as well as our local chapters.

    Local VMBA Chapter:
    Fellowship of the Wheel

    **Please note that restrictions may apply to the above offers. Please consult the VMBA Member App for terms and conditions for each of these offers.

Trail Networks

ROUTES & RIDE TIPS

“The Burlington area is traditional Vermont mountain biking at its finest. These are some of the oldest trail systems in the state and they are still super fun.”

Saxon Hill

Saxon Hill

Trailforks Routes

Saxon Hill Website

Fellowship of the Wheel VMBA Chapter

Saxon Hill has some of the most diverse terrain in the area and its stacked loop trail structure makes it easy to tune your pedal to the proper length and level of difficulty. 

Beginners can start on Paper Route and continue with a loop on Mo Flow. Add on a Low Flow loop if you would like some extra miles and a little more difficulty. 

Intermediate and expert riders can head across Thompson Drive. Before Upper Flow turns back downhill, hop on Mojo and ride the loop to the summit of Saxon Hill, where the riding gets more technical. If you want to session, Jump Lines offers multiple lines (one with gap jumps) that are easily lapped via a climb trail. 

Saxon Hill Videos

Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow

Trailforks Routes

Sleepy Hollow Website

Fellowship of the Wheel VMBA Chapter

An incredible 30-mile pay-to-ride network of trails, Sleepy Hollow is a mecca for advanced and expert riders. A mix of beautiful “rake-and-ride” and fast and flowy, rolling descents. Riders have the option to climb to Butternut Cabin and take in spectacular views of the Green Mountain spine. From there, one can choose to continue through a fantastic network or descend to the base of the Hinesburg Town Forest (and beyond to Carse Hills) for an all-day epic or shuttle. An intermediate loop is now possible and joins the rest of the loops at their conclusion for an exhilarating, smooth descent to the parking area. PLEASE PAY OR SIGN IN AT THE OFFICE and NO DOGS.

Sleepy Hollow Videos

Hinesburg Town Forest

Hinesburg Town Forest

Trailforks Routes

Hinesburg Town Forest Website

Fellowship of the Wheel VMBA Chapter

The Hinesburg Town Forest boasts 18 miles of singletrack spread through 1,125 acres. Trails are primarily “old-school rake-and-ride” and are therefore quite challenging. There are very limited options for beginner and intermediate riders. Set in the middle of three contiguous networks, the Hinesburg Town Forest is an excellent jumping off point for some of the longest, most challenging rides in VT. Head up and over to the incredible Carse Hills trails to the south or climb up to the Butternut Cabin at Sleepy Hollow to the north.

Hinesburg Town Forest Videos

Carse Hills

Carse Hills

Trailforks Routes

Carse Hils Website

Fellowship of the Wheel VMBA Chapter

The trails on the Carse property between Lincoln Hill and Hollow Road in Hinesburg are some of the best in VT. Big climbs and over 10 miles of epic singletrack on 1,000 acres of land contiguous to the Hinesburg Town Forest. FOTW has committed significant resources to this network and has created a real gem for advanced riders. Instant classics like Henry’s Highlands, Preacher, Crucible, Pinner, and Voodoo Child have been meticulously constructed and are quite popular. Most trails are characterized as a combination between technical and flowy. Trails are designed to challenge riders on climbs while allowing for higher speed descents. The most advanced trails incorporate freeride options such as rock faces, jumps, and wooden features.

Carse Hills Videos

Sunny Hollow

Sunny Hollow

Trailforks Routes

Sunny Hollow Website

Fellowship of the Wheel VMBA Chapter

Located in Colchester behind Costco, Sunny Hollow Park is an extremely popular network for beginner and intermediate riders. Both the Blueberry and East loops are ideal trails for beginners and easy to access. Intermediate and advanced riders can descend into a number of ravines and access further plateaus. Small plateaus and deep ravines allow for beautiful views throughout. The trails are in very close proximity to Burlington and Winooski, making the network a popular choice for after work rides. In recent seasons, Fellowship of the Wheel has built significant retaining walls, bridges, and re-routes to further improve ride-ability and sustainability for all trail users.

Sunny Hollow Videos