Mad About Mountain Biking
The Mad River Valley is Vermont’s singletrack sanctuary.
2 Riding Days • 2 Trail Networks • Explore the Valley • Fun Shuttle Runs
Grant Wieler Photo
John Atkinson Photo
Ride hard in a distraction-free valley where singletrack, swimming holes, and Sips of Sunshine abound.
When you’re all about the riding, the Mad River Valley is the place to go. People here like to ride hard, and rest-assured, there’s plenty of hard riding to be had. Experts will find a bounty of technical New England mountain singletrack, while those new to the sport can get up to speed on some of the state’s best beginner trails.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Relax in the Savu saunas at Madbush Falls. (Courtesy Photo)
ARRIVAL DAY
Settle Into a MTB Base Camp
Book a room, creekside tent, or pet-friendly cabin at Madbush Falls. If you’re staying elsewhere in town, head to Madbush for dinner anyway. The facility has a wonderful restaurant, plus the on-site Rider’s Outpost will help orient you to the Valley and its trails. Chat with other riders, explore info on suggested routes, or get set up with a demo bike. Booking a guided ride in advance is a great way to rent bikes and have them transported to the trailhead for you.
VIDEO: Evolution (Flow Tour & Expert Loop) (YouTube: Rocco Pietrofesa)
DAY ONE - MORNING
Sample the Best of the Valley
Fill up for the day with a classic American breakfast from Toast & Eggs. You’ll need the energy for a big morning of riding at Howe Block, which has a variety of flow and tech suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. Berm connoisseurs should check out the Flow Tour, while advanced riders hunting for tech should give the Expert Loop a shot. Either way, be sure to take a dip in the nearby Mad River after your ride.
Grab a local lift from Stark Mountain Bike Works. (Courtesy Photo by C. Allen)
DAY ONE - AFTERNOON
Take a Shuttle Run
Stop into Canteen Creemee Company for a one-of-a-kind lunch of fried chicken, corn pudding, and something creative and sweet, such as a mojito sundae.
Rest your quads and give those calves and forearms a workout with a classic shuttle-assisted descent in the afternoon. The Shuttle Bump route will conveniently deliver you to Madbush Falls.
You’ll be in good company at Lawson’s. (Courtesy Photo)
DAY ONE - EVENING
Sip on Liquid Sunshine
Head to The Taproom at Lawson’s Finest Liquids for a mellow evening. Try a Sip of Sunshine (a tropical IPA) or a Maple Tripple Ale (a 3x winner at the World Beer Cup), then order the Mega Monty Charcuterie Board to share. With Trapp Farmstead cheeses, Babette's Table cured salami, Green Mountain Smokehouse brats, Ariel's Honey Infusions raw honeycomb, Red Hen bread, and rotating seasonal accoutrements, it’s hard to get more Vermont than this.
“The MRV trails blend old school tech with new school flow. There is no shortage of climbing in this area. If you want to go down, you have to ride up up up, but it's worth it.”
VIDEO: Blueberry Lake Trail Tour (YouTube: Rocco Pietrofesa)
DAY TWO - MORNING
Handmade Bagels and an Easy Ride
Begin your day at Backcountry Bagel with a handmade sourdough bagel or breakfast sandwich (local tip: ask for a drizzle of Canceaux Sauce on your sammy) and some locally roasted coffee. Then drive south to the Blueberry Lake trail system. As one of the best areas in the state for beginners (it was designated in 2013 as an IMBA Model Trail-Gateway network), it’s the perfect place to gain confidence on your bike. Be sure to hit the Flow Loop, which everyone will enjoy.
At Mad Taco it’s whats on the inside that counts. (Courtesy photo)
DAY TWO - AFTERNOON
Have a Taco and a Hike
Cool off with a dip in the beautiful Blueberry Lake, then scoot back to Waitsfield for lunch at Mad Taco. Drive up the Lincoln Gap road for a short hike to Sunset Ledge, which ascends through the Breadloaf Wilderness for about a mile before delivering you to a rocky outcrop with astounding views of the hills beyond and the valley below. Salute your visit to the Mad River Valley and head for home.
WHERE TO STAY, EAT & SHOP
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Madbush Falls** is a stylish, community-oriented mountain biking basecamp with everything you need (rooms, rentals, guided tours, delicious food, and fellow riders) right on site—plus trail access across the street. A variety of room types accommodate groups of all sizes.
Sugarbush Resort** hosts an array of accommodation options—hotels, condos, and more—in a mountain village setting.
A number of unique B&Bs and inns—such as the trailside Featherbed Inn**— speckle the Mad River Valley. Choose one that suits you.
Lareau Farm Inn** is a historic farmhouse in the heart of the Mad River Valley, with the American Flatbread restaurant on-site.
If you’re looking for a place of your own for a few days, check out Kismet Properties’** Cabin and their Alpine Apartment.** Offers a VMBA Member Benefit
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Madbush Falls Restaurant & Bar** serves hearty Vermont food every day of the week. Stop in for breakfast, some elevated après share plates, or a creative entree.
Three Mountain Cafe is a challenge to find but bright and cozy once you’re there— and that’s why locals love it.
Canteen Creemee Co.** whips Vermont-sourced ingredients into the classic hits you crave. Don’t sleep on the fried chicken.
American Flatbread serves farm-to-table wood-fired pizza, craft cocktails, and local beers. There are a handful in New England, but the Waitsfield location is the first.
Toast & Eggs specializes in feeding hungry skiers and bikers delicious home-cooked food in a casual setting with a view.
The Taproom at Lawson’s Finest Liquids** is a spacious wood-beamed beer hall serving craft beer brewed on site plus a flavorful menu of farm favorites.
Mad Taco serves up amazing eats from an unassuming storefront. The smoker out front is always puffing away to cook their signature carnitas.
Be sure to stop in and see Alex and Clara for an organic hand-rolled, sourdough Backcountry Bagel** (or six.)
** Offers a VMBA Member Benefit
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Stark Mountain Bike Works offers bike repairs, demos, and limited sales—plus a shuttle service to the top of Tucker Hill Road.
Riders Outpost is located on-site at Madbush Falls. Repair services, bike rentals and sales, part, and accessories are all available here.
** Offers a VMBA Member Benefit
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Go for a dip in beautiful Blueberry Lake.
Take a short hike up to Sunset Ledge, where a rock outcropping permits spectacular views of the Mad River Valley and the Adirondack Mountains.
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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
Kismet Properties
$75 off any stay (cannot be combined with other offers)Mad Bush Falls
20% Off a king rooms and tents
Free fries with a purchaseThe Featherbed Inn
15% Off a two-night stayLareau Farm Inn
30% Off a mid-week stay at the Inn (Sunday - Thursday)Sugarbush Resort
20% Off stays 2 nights or longer, at Lodge at Lincoln Peak, Valid 5/1 – 11/30/25EAT & DRINK
Backcountry Bagel
10% Off your orderLawson’s Finest Liquids
10% Off food purchasesCanteen Cremee Company
10% Off your orderBIKE SHOPS
Fit Werx
$200 Off your fitting with bike purchase
Free shock wiz rental and consult w/ bike purchaseStark Mountain Bike Works
Buy one get one Shuttle TicketThe Riders Outpost
10% Off ski serviceACTIVITIES
Valley Meade Dispensary
10% Off orderLocal VMBA Chapter:
**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.
ROUTES & RIDE TIPS
“Goodnight Irene is super fast and flowy, with some great optional jumps and features to test your airing skills. Revolution and Evolution are also approachable trails, although they also require some climbing. If you love natural features and flow, check out Clinic and Cyclone.”
Blueberry Lake Trails
Blueberry Lake
With seven miles of beginner and intermediate riding, this award–winning trail system is perfect for getting acquainted with the sport of mountain biking.
Flow Loop #1 - Blueberry Lake - This 6.5 mile, intermediate-friendly route hits all of the trails at Blueberry Lake except Gravel Grinder. Flow riding predominates, and the 620 feet of climbing earns you a cliff lookout with a nice view and great descent back down. Park at 1817 Plunkton Road in Warren.
Howe Block Trails
Howe Block Trails
Howe Block Trails @ Madbush Falls Website
With trailheads near Madbush Falls, downtown Waitsfield, and elsewhere, this hilly trail system in the Camel’s Hump State Forest has technical and flow trail options for intermediate to advanced riders.
Expert Loop #1 - Howe Block - This 8 mile route couples 1,450 feet of climbing on smooth switchbacks with rooty and rocky descents. Park at Lareau Park on the east side of Route 100 and ride under the bridge to access the trails. Don't park at American Flatbread.