INTRODUCING: The Heart of the Greens Velomont Loop

The Heart of the Greens Velomont Loop is the first completed multi-day segment of the Velomont Trail, a collaborative project of several Vermont organizations with the goal of connecting a series of single track trails and backcountry huts along the entire length of Vermont. This loop captures the Velomont vision and turns it into reality: connect rural communities to each other and to public open space via purpose-built single track trails.

Ready to Ride: Summer 2024

A PERFECT VT TRAIL ADVENTURE

Miles of modern backcountry adaptive mountain-bike friendly flow trail
Classic New England woods roads and gravel grinds to connect the single track with minimal time on pavement
Connectivity to expansive trail networks for modified route options, side trips, and those looking to add on extra miles
A backcountry Hut resting high in the VT hills with ADA accessibility, solar powered lights, heat, and comfy bunks
Swimming holes, scenic vistas, and ridgeline rambles
A downtown hostel with shared and private rooms
Fully stocked VT country stores with delicious local brews, hot coffee, signature maple creemees, and even a “bookery” where you can enjoy your fresh-baked croissant during a mid-ride peruse of maps and books
Bike shop, inns, gas stations, and other small town amenities

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Two creemee stands
Long range views of the Green Mountains and White River Valley
Tacky machine-built single track flow trails, mostly designed and built between 2021 – 2023.
Linking the Rochester Valley Trails with the Green Mountain Trail network for a combined 60+ total miles of trails
A thrilling gravity-induced ride down the legendary “100 turns” and 1500’ of Tunnel Ridge to drop you back into town after an epic 2 day+ adventure in the Green Mountains

Photos of Recent Hut Adventures

How to Ride

The possibilities are endless! You can ride as much or little as you choose in a day; book a hut, hostel, yurt, or all three! * We’re offering a limited amount of pre-packaged rides, linked below these descriptions. *

One Night’r (Clockwise)

This is the classic overnighter for the hardy trail rider looking to pack as much into two days as possible. Stuffing 38 miles and over 5000’ of vert into two days is a tall order, but it’ll all be worth it when you roll into the cozy Chittenden Brook Hut on Night One for a solid night’s sleep before another big day to get back into town.

Day One: 20.5 Miles

Start: Downtown Rochester
End: Chittenden Brook Hut

Day Two: 17.5 Miles

Start: Chittenden Brook Hut
End: Downtown Rochester

Weekender (Clockwise)

Sometimes it’s nice to make the most of your weekend and get out into the woods on Friday Night. If that’s what you’re looking for, this itinerary is for you! A short pedal on Friday night gets you out on the trails without having to deal with too many logistics. Didn’t have time to pack your favorite snacks? The Pittstop in Pittsfield is strategically located halfway through your ride on Saturday to give you ample opportunity to stock up for the rest of your trip. But make sure you fill your bags, you won’t be seeing civilization again until you finish your ride on Sunday back in Rochester.

Day One: 2.5 Miles

Start: Downtown Rochester
End: Spikehorn Yurt

Day Two: 18 Miles

Start: Spikehorn Yurt
End: Chittenden Brook Hut

Day Three: 17.5 Miles

Start: Chittenden Brook Hut
End: Downtown Rochester

Comfort Class (Counter Clockwise)

Prefer to maximize comfort and accommodation while spreading out the miles and elevation? Then taking this route might be for you. Night one has you staying at the state-of-the-art inn and hostel “The Stable Inn” in downtown Rochester. Enjoy a dinner in town, a shower after a long day of riding, and even a fresh breakfast and Sandy’s or the Rochester Cafe before heading into the backcountry for days two and three. This option sandwiches the big backcountry day between two more manageable days that offer amenities on either side of your journey.

Day One: 10.5 Miles

Start: Downtown Pittsfield
End: Stable Inn

Day Two: 17.5 Miles

Start: Stable Inn
End: Chittenden Brook Hut

Day Three: 10 Miles

Start: Chittenden Brook Hut
End: Downtown Pittsfield

Want to DIY it?

Visit the Heart of the Greens link on Ride with GPS to see detailed maps, trail descriptions, and more.

Get the Deets!

LODGING

This route is serviced by three accommodations in the Vermont Huts Association Network:

The Spikehorn Yurt sleeps six and is located 2.5 trail miles from downtown Rochester. Reserve Online.
The Chittenden Brook Hut is ADA-accessible, sleeps 10, and is located at roughly the halfway point on the loop if starting from Rochester. Reserve Online.
The Stable Inn is an independently owned and operated lodging option with private rooms and hostel-like accommodations located in downtown Rochester. Reserve Online.

Additional lodging options include:

Shrek’s Cabin (Operated by Riverside Farm) is located at the top of the Green Mountain Trails network accessible via a spur from the Velomont-Contest Loop. Three trail miles from Pittsfield.
A quick google search will yield plenty of additional lodging options including inns, B&B’s, hotels, and Air BnB’s to suit your particular needs.

PARKING

Overnight parking for this route is available at the following locations:

GMNF Ranger Station in Rochester
Rochester Park & Ride
Pittsfield Park & Ride
Upper Michigan Road Trailhead
Chittenden Brook Trailhead
Bottom of Chittenden Brook Road

Please help us maintain good relationships with our neighbors and do not park at any other location for overnight trips.
Please carpool and lock your car and hide belongings.