Directions
Take I-89, exit 10 at Waterbury. Travel north on Route 100 to Waterbury Center.
Park along the road at the Waterbury Center Village green, east off Route 100.
General Description
This combination
of paved bike paths and unpaved roads that wind by and through historic communities, small
farms and the picturesque countryside of Northern Vermont can provide days of scenic
Vermont backroads cycling and mountain biking.
For about half of the bike tour, you'll travel on paved surfaces, including 2.7 miles
of the 5.3 mile Stowe Recreation Path, and the remainder on fairly wide, well-maintained
dirt roads. Be prepared for a few steep, rugged climbs, however... 'What Goes
Up, Must Come Down!' and there are nice stretches of easy, flat pedaling in between.
Variety is the nature of this 22.2 mile loop ride. The route winds past awesome mountain views, small scenic farms, woods and pastures bursting with wildflowers. You'll cycle along and over several pretty small rivers and streams into bike-friendly Stowe, Vermont's best known resort
village and even ride under a "haunted" covered bridge. "Boo!" In the fall, Vermont's spectacular foliage adds the finishing touch to your ride.
The Bike Route: Waterbury Stowe Bike Tour
Start from the Waterbury Village Green. Make two quick left turns to Maple
Street. After a mile or two on paved, level ground, begin the climb up Barnes Hill. The road
becomes dirt and at the top of Barnes Hill there are awesome views of
Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak.
Around 3.7 miles, bear left at 3-way intersection. Here, Barnes Road
becomes known as Stowe Hollow Road. After a short ascent, it's a fun 2 mile,
swift descent.
At 5.6 miles, ride through a 4-way intersection with a stop sign and the "haunted" (see historical
note) covered bridge. Then bear left back onto Stowe Hollow Road. It's another swift
descent into the Village of Stowe. You'll be on Main Street - Route 100, opposite
Community Church, Stowe's most famous landmark.
Cross Main Street into the church driveway and go behind the building to the Stowe Recreation Path,
a popular trail with road bikers and walkers. This level, paved path intertwines with SR 108 and winds through woodlands, passing Stowe Village shops, churches and several bridges which span
the Waterbury River.
This bike tour,
uses a 2.7 mile section of the 5.3 mile Stowe Recreation Trail.
After the 2.5 mile point which is marked on the pavement, the path crosses
under a bridge. Immediately after the bridge, a parking area/access point will
appear to the left. Get off here and turn right, out of the parking lot
onto Luce Hill Road (paved; 10.3 miles).
After a short, flat stretch begin a long, steep climb.
Proceed straight, passing Barrows Road on the left. Near what seems to be the
top of the hill, the road turns sharply to the left and climbs more gradually
for another 1/2 mile to the Trapp Family Lodge.
The views to the left of the Worcester Range, and further up the road to the
right of Nebraska Notch, are unparalleled.
After passing the Lodge complex, the road turns to dirt and begins a very
beautiful, steep descent into the Village of the Little River. Be sure
your brakes are in good working order!
At the bottom of the hill (14.2 miles), make a left onto Moscow Road (paved).
Travel along the river and through the little Village of Moscow to the road's
intersection with Rte 100 (16.4 miles).
Turn right onto Rte. 100 South. Although this is a heavily traveled route,
it has wide shoulders and you will only be on it for a short distance (less than
a mile).
Route 100 will make a gradual climb up Shutesville Hill. Near the top, across
from a display of chainsaw carvings, turn right onto Gregg Hill Road (17.4 miles).
Gregg Hill Road (dirt) will loop back to Rte. 100 after 3.9 very pleasant
miles of cruising (21.3 miles).
Turn right (south) onto Rte. 100. Turn left onto Hollow Road just after passing
the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, one of Vermont's most popular tourist attractions.
Continue back to the Village Green.
Historical Note
"Haunted" Covered Bridge
According to local lore, the covered bridge on this route is haunted by a young
woman named Emily who hung herself from the rafters after being spurned by her
lover.
The Trapp Family Lodge
The Trapps, of the Sound of Music fame, settled here
and built this establishment after fleeing the Nazi's in the late 1930's. This
hilltop location reminded them of their native Austria.
More information
Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission
226 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
Phone: (802)-229-0389
Return To Top
|
Historic
