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

Mad River Valley, VT:

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

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.

Stay, eat, shop

WHERE TO STAY, EAT & SHOP

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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 purchase

    The Featherbed Inn
    15% Off a two-night stay

    Lareau 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 – 11/30/25

    EAT & DRINK

    Backcountry Bagel
    10% Off your order

    Lawson’s Finest Liquids
    10% Off food purchases

    Canteen Cremee Company
    10% Off your order

    BIKE SHOPS

    Fit Werx
    $200 Off your fitting with bike purchase
    Free shock wiz rental and consult w/ bike purchase

    Stark Mountain Bike Works
    Buy one get one Shuttle Ticket 

    The Riders Outpost
    10% Off ski service

    ACTIVITIES

    Valley Meade Dispensary
    10% Off order 

    Local 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.

MAD RIVER VALLEY LOCATOR MAP
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Trail Networks

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

Trailforks Routes

Blueberry Lake Trails Website

Mad River Riders VMBA Chapter

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. 

Blueberry Lake Videos

Howe Block Trails

Howe Block Trails

Trailforks Routes

Howe Block Trails @ Madbush Falls Website

Mad River Riders VMBA Chapter

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.

Howe Block Trails Videos