Road Biking
Northwestern Vermont has some of the best road riding in the state showcasing bucolic Vermont scenery and peaceful rural roads inviting you to see what’s around the next bend. Peddle along Lake Champlain or wind your way up Jay Peak right from your starting point at The Tyler Place!
Rides are available for beginners through experts, from level to hilly terrain, with 10 to 92-mile loops. We have provided routes for 29 of our favorite rides including various lengths, levels of difficulty and topography. The routes we’ve recommended generally have very light traffic, but there are some sections that can be busy and you should always be vigilant (we keep you off these as much as possible).
We’ve included a couple of routes that require transporting your bike to a starting point off the property, but we highly recommend these rides and think you’ll be glad you tried them out!
ROUTE INFO & GPS
The following routes are arranged by distance. Click any one for a short description and a link to ridewithgps.com where you can access and download an interactive map of the route, along with cuesheet and grade information.
For the beginner rider looking for some rolling hills. This route is a little more difficult than the counterclockwise loop because of the hill near the start of St Armand.
This is a short beautiful flat ride (there is one short, but steep hill by St Anne’s) around the charming Island of Isle La Motte. It starts at St Anne’s Shrine which is 22 miles and a 35 minute drive from the Tyler Place. A great ride for beginners or a family who would like to explore a little of Vermont. Stop for Apples and Cider at Hall Orchards. For more information on the Champlain Islands check out this article.
An easy flat ride along some of the MaQuam Shore and a return to Tyler Place along the Swanton Bike Trail, which crosses the Missisquoi River a on refurburished bridge, and Frontage Rd.
A great day trip with your spouse, family, or friends. An easy easy stunningly beautiful ride over the South Hero/Colchester causeway and the Burlingon Bike Path to the Burlington Harbor. You are surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains and Green Mountains as you take a very short 5 minute ferry ride. Many scenic views of Lake Champlain along the Causeway and the bike trail. Once in Burlington enjoy lunch or perhaps a beer or glass of wine. We recommend Splash at the Boathouse or The Skinny Pancake. For a beer the well known Foam Brewery is close by (see points of Interest). To do this trip you will need to drive to South Hero and park your car at the Local Motion Bike Ferry parking lot on Martin Rd, South Hero. It’s about a 50 minute drive. The Ferry is operating only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday’s beginning Friday September 11th. Call ahead to make sure the Ferry is operating (802) 861- 2700. For information on the Ferry check here.
An easy ride which includes part of Maquam Shore and the Swanton Recreational Trail which crosses the Missisquoi River on a refurbished bridge.
The easiest and quickest way to Franklin where the Franklin General Store is with cookies and refreshments. There are a few hills along the way. This ride is a challenge for the new rider, but if you have a few miles under your belt doable. If you are feeling good when you arrive and want to challenge yourself a bit return by way of Hanna Road or Morses Line.( See other maps)
This is Tasney Tyler Otis’s go to ride after a long day of work especially in the Spring and Fall with the early sunsets. A challenging ride for beginners who are trying to up their game and for intermediate and advanced riders who have limited time who are looking for a short diverse course. This ride features a short climb, rolling hills, and some flats. It’s noted for it’s panoramic views of Vermont farm country. At 18.3 miles continue straight to Swanton and take Rt 7 back to the Tyler Place if you don’t want to ride the Swanton Recreational Trail (Tasney recommends the Bike trail to avoid the crazy intersection in Swanton).
A challenging ride for the beginner, a chance to get a few quick miles with a few hills for the avid rider. If you don’t want to ride on the bike trail at mile 21.1 of the ride simply continue on River St to Swanton and return to Tyler Place on Rt 7.
An easy ride for the experienced rider and a challenging ride for the beginner. Sweet Hollow Rd is an awesome roller coaster type Rd. This is a great route when the wind is out of the North. – – – (if you would like to add 5 miles of dirt road take a right from St Armand (26.9 miles) on to Rollo Rd, at 4.6 miles take a left on to Ballard Rd, at 5.9 miles take a right on St Armand Rd and you will be on course.)
A flat easy ride along Maquam Shore and thru St Albans Bay. If you are interested in adding 6 scenic miles you can take a right hand turn at 14.5 miles on to Hathaway Point Rd for an out and back ride to Kamp Kill Kare. This a mostly flat scenic ride along the eastern coast of St. Albans Bay.
A moderate route for the experienced rider. A challenging ride for the beginner rider. A long climb at the beginning of Hanna Rd. A good ride when the wind is out of the North. A great place for a break is at The Franklin General Store.
A moderate ride for the experienced rider. A challenging, but doable ride, for the beginner. Several short steep sections along the way. A great place for a break at the Franklin General Store. A good route when the wind is out of the South.
If you are looking for a taste of South Hero and Grand Isle this ride may be for you. It starts in beautiful Sand Bar Pk, 1215 Rt 2, Milton Vt. Take the scenic route thru the Islands or the quickest way I89 to Rt2. 35 miles and a 40 minute drive from TP. This is a moderate ride that is relatively flat with some rollers and few short steep inclines. It features spectacular views of the lake and mountains particularly in some of the coves on the East side. There are plenty of small stores along the way, but we recommend doing lunch at Hero’s Welcome. This requires adding an additional 8 flat miles to your trip. At 17.7 miles do not turn right on East Shore Rd simply stay straight on to Route 2 and continue 4 miles to Hero’s Welcome, which sits in a beautiful cove across from St Albans. Head directly back the way you came (Rt2) and take a left on East Shore Rd and continue your ride on course.
nytimes.com/2017/06/06/travel/lake-champlain-islands-vermont-culture.html?smid=em-share
This ride requires you to drive to Alburgh Dunes State Park a 23 mile and 39 minute drive from the Tyler Place. It is a flat ride that traverses thru a little of North Hero, Alburgh, and the charming Isle La Motte. Once on Isle La Motte don’t miss the iconic St Ann’s Shrine and Hall’s Orchard. Hall’s is a great stop for apples, donuts and cider. There is a very short stretch of dirt road on Isle La Motte. There are many scenic views of Lake Champlain. If you are looking for more information on the Champlain Islands check out this article.
Highgate has some terrific scenic dirt/gravel roads very well maintained. Ballard Rd and Rollo Rd are classic beauties. This ride can be done on gravel, road or mountain bikes. If you would just like a small sample of our beautiful dirt/gravel roads follow the route until you come to Campagna Road at mile 10 and take a right. Follow Campagna until it dead ends on Carter Hill Rd. Take a right on Carter Hill and follow it back to Rt 7 and the Tyler Place. You will have about 15 miles.
If the TP to Stowe ride is appealing to you, but might be a bit too long consider this one. Have family or friends drop you off in Enosburg and pedal to Stowe along 108 enjoying the beautiful scenery. The ride is relatively easy until Jeffersonville at mile 20 then you begin a rugged 8 mile climb. A good place to stop is Thompson Park at the 34.3 mile point on the right hand side of the road. It’s a comfortable gathering spot. There is a big parking lot and easy access to the Stowe Recreational Trail. Perhaps your family or friends could hike or bike on the trail while they wait for you. If you chose you can ride to the center of town 37 miles). There are plenty of restaurants with oudoor dining. Close to Thompson Park is the Idletyme Brewing Co. They have a large outdoor dining area. If you like beer don’t miss the famous Alechmist Brewery. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND CLIMBING THE NOTCH ON A WEEKEND. Unfortunately there is too much traffic.
This is a moderate ride for the avid rider who wants to get some extra mileage before doing the Causeway ride with his/her spouse family or group. Ride to the Island Line Trail Parking lot and meet your folks.
A mostly flat fast ride for an Avid or intermediate cyclist. A couple short climbs between mile 19 – 25. If you want to return to the Tyler Place thru Swanton and Rt & 7 stay straight on River at 34.9 miles. — If you are interested in adding 6 scenic miles you can take a right hand turn at 14.5 miles on to Hathaway Point Rd for an out and back ride to Kamp Kill Kare. This a mostly flat scenic ride along the western coast of St. Albans Bay.
A beautiful moderate ride. This ride features two awesome roads. Rice Hill Rd and Sweet Hollow, but there is about 2 and 1/2 miles of very passable gravel on Rice Hill.
A highly recommended challenging ride for those riders looking for a shorter version of the Jay 92. It requires a 25 minute drive from the Tyler Place to a small park immediately next door to the East Berkshire Elementary School. A recommended break point is the Jay Country Store at the bottom of the first climb and at the start of the 2nd long climb. It is conveniently located at the halfway point.
A challenging ride through Franklin and around Lake Carmi and up over the beautiful, but challenging Hanna Rd. Stop in Franklin at the General Store to refuel.
A fun moderate ride that’s not as challenging as the Enosburgh South ride. It actually doesn’t go into Enosburgh, but it’s easy to do. Take a right hand turn at the bottom of Noble Hill Rd (19.4 miles) onto Rt 108. It’s a 2 mile ride into the middle of Enosburg. You will add about 4 miles to your ride.
If you are looking for some longer ascents and descents this ride maybe for you. A beautiful loop that drops along Fairfield Pond and has some terrific panoramic views of Lake Carmi. If you are feeling fiesty you can add 6 or 7 miles by going around Lake Carmi. At mile 26 take a right on Swamp Rd. After 1.9 miles take a left on State Park Rd (Rt 236) and continue 4.1 miles to Lake Rd (Rt 120) and take a left towards Lake Carmi and Franklin. In 6.1 miles bare to the right on Morses Line Rd (235) and you will be back on course. We like doing this ride with a North breeze because you start and finish with a tailwind!
A challenging ride for the intermediate or advanced rider. Several challenging climbs throughout the ride including Sheldon Woods. It’s always fun to cycle Sweet Hollow Rd South to North.- – – (Add about 7 miles by going around Lake Carmi when you come to Franklin at the 15.3 mark. Stay to the left on Rt 120, after about 4 miles take a right on State Park Rd , after about 5 miles take a right on Swamp Rd, after 2 miles take a left on 120 and you’ll be back on course)
A fun hilly challenging course for the intermediate and advanced rider. There are a number of places the rider can stop in Enosburg for refueling and a break.
A beautiful ride along Maquam Shore & Georgia Shore. This a relatively easy ride for the experienced rider, but there are a couple of challenging hills and some rollers between mile 22 -35. Then a fairly flat and fast finish especially with a South breeze.
A classic ride for the fall leaf peeping season. A very colorful trip which includes a long climb over Smugglers Notch. This is a relatively easy ride until Jeffersonville. Then you face a tough 8 mile climb. Leave the Tyler Place and meet your spouse, family or friends in Stowe. A good place to stop is Thompson Park at the 56 mile point on the right hand side of the road. It’s a comfortable gathering spot. There is a big parking lot and easy access to the Stowe Recreational Trail. Perhaps your family or friends could hike or bike on the trail while they wait for you. If you chose you can ride to the center of town. There are plenty of restaurants with oudoor dining. Close to Thompson Park is the Idletyme Brewing Co. They have a large outdoor dining area. If you like beer don’t miss the famous Alechmist Brewery. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND CLIMBING THE NOTCH ON A WEEKEND. Unfortunately there is too much traffic.
If you are looking for a longer ride throughout the Islands this one is for you. A 76 miler widing along the shores of Lake Champlain beginning at the iconic St Anne’s Shrine a 22 mile 35 minute drive from TP. This ride includes loops thru Isle La Motte, North Hero, Grand Isle, South Hero and you eventually return to Isle La Motte by way of Alburgh. This is a long ride, but the terrain is relatively flat with a few steep short hills. It has many Panoramic views of the lake and mountains. There are many places to stop to refuel. We recommend Hero’s Welcome in North Hero for a lunch stop. It sits in a beautiful little cove almost directly across the lakefrom St. Albans. There is plenty of outdoor seating. If you are looking for more information on the Champlain Islands check out this article.
This is a beautiful ride for the advanced rider looking for a challenge. There are several towns along the way that have stores to refuel at. Definitely recommend the Jay Country Store at the halfway point at the bottom of the first long climb and the start of the 2nd long climb. The Franklin General Store is also a good refueling point.
ROADS TO AVOID
Some roads have more traffic than others or simply aren’t as safe and we strongly recommend that you avoid riding on Route 78 (78 between Swanton and Alburgh is especially dangerous), Route 105 and Route 207. At times, you may cross these roads or ride them for brief intervals to get to other roads, but we advise that you steer clear of them, otherwise.
SAFETY
As attractive as Northwestern Vermont is for cycling, we all need to practice safe cycling techniques and roadway courtesy to ensure a pleasurable experience, free of accident and injury. It is legal to ride side by side, but only if it does not impede traffic and we recommend that you ride single file as much as possible to promote good relations with motorists. Cycling also requires good judgment. The conditions you encounter while cycling can be infinite such as broken pavement, potholes and slippery or sandy roads due to a recent downpour. Large farm vehicles, dogs and debris may suddenly seem to appear out of nowhere. Therefore, please ride safely and responsibly and be sure your bicycle is in excellent operating condition and, of course, always wear a helmet.
RIDE SAFE AND ENJOY!