There’s nothing quite like the exhilarating feeling of mountain biking. The chance to zip down a narrow mountain trail across a shallow stream, to cruise along the banks of a river on a former railroad bed, or to ride on a dirt road through the farmland of Vermont, is a thrill. I never carry a map and I almost always get lost. This might sound foolish, but not knowing where you are in a New England forest is the equivalent to backpacking in Europe without the slightest care which city you head to next. You create your own route. New England’s parks and forests are compact and welcoming. Even within the larger state parks mentioned below, you’re never more than 2 to 3 miles from a dirt road and civilization. These are my favorites, but weave your own web.
What’s the rush?
Find out when you conquer one of these top-notch trails on your mountain bike
Kingdom Trails, East Burke, Vt.
Just thinking about the Kingdom Trails in autumn, whipping through the red and yellow leaves on the maples behind the Inn at Mountain View Farm, makes me want to jump in my car. This 150-mile circuit, linking former farming roads with slender single tracks, offers the best of Vermont riding. One moment, you’re banking narrow turns on Coronary Bypass, the next you’re zooming through the pines in Webs. In fact, it’s such a glorious network that you’ll want to keep biking even when your legs are cramping and your CamelBak runs dry. www.kingdomtrails.org.
Millstone Hill Touring Center, Barre, Vt.
You might not have heard of Millstone because it’s only been open four years. But once word starts to spread about this unique 70-mile network, expect it to rival the Kingdom Trails as one of the top mountain biking hubs in the state. A century ago, Millstone Hill was home to more than 75 quarry operations. Today, single tracks weave up and down the forest leading to these quarry sites, where you can peer out over the water from atop a large rock pile. Novice riders will also find miles of old quarry roads offering far more moderate biking. Lodging and camping are available. www.millstonehill.com/touring.
Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown, N.H.
You can thank the Seacoast Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (www.nemba .org) for creating and maintaining some of the best trails here. Start with the easy Ferret Trail or the double-track Bobcat. Then move on to the silky smooth Pitch Pine or the root-studded, rock-littered downhill run called Carr Ridge. Bear Hill is a challenging climb, but you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a thrilling downhill. Afterward, take a bath in Bear Hill Pond to wash off the mud and sweat. www.nhstateparks.org/state-parks/alphabetical-order/bear-brook-state-park.
Grafton Ponds, Grafton, Vt.