Vermont is opening up a new way for cyclists to experience its famous Green Mountains. The Heart of the Greens Loop takes riders deep into the state’s forested wilderness while offering a taste of a much larger bikepacking adventure still taking shape.
The 38-mile (61km) loop is the first completed section of the planned Velomont network. Once finished, the route is expected to stretch about 485 miles (780km) across Vermont. It will connect communities, backcountry trails and a series of remote huts.
For riders seeking more than a simple day trip, the project offers a different kind of adventure. Cyclists can spend several days on the trail while carrying less camping equipment than they would on a traditional bikepacking trip.
A Trail Built for Adventure
The journey begins in Rochester, a small village in Vermont’s White River Valley. Since the Heart of the Greens opened in 2024, the community has attracted increasing numbers of bikepackers.
The loop runs through large sections of the Green Mountain National Forest. The area covers almost 400,000 acres of woodland and offers a mix of gravel roads, forest trails and steep mountain terrain.
Two overnight shelters currently serve riders. The Chittenden Brook Hut has basic bunks and a self-service kitchen. The Spikehorn Yurt offers another rustic option with bunk beds, furniture and a terrace overlooking the mountains.
Neither accommodation has running water. The yurt also has no electricity. Still, the shelters offer a useful middle ground between traditional camping and a conventional stay.
The future Velomont route could eventually include about 30 off-grid huts. Organizers hope the shelters will allow riders to travel with lighter loads while spending more time in the backcountry.
Heart of the Greens Is No Easy Ride
Although the loop covers only 38 miles, cyclists should not underestimate it. The route includes nearly 6,000 feet (1,830m) of climbing.
Much of the trail remains unpaved. Riders move between gravel roads, rough tracks and mountain bike trails. Some sections can become particularly difficult after rain or logging activity.
Doon Hinderyckx, owner of Green Mountain Bikes in Rochester, describes the route as a serious adventure. He recommends e-bikes for riders who may struggle with the steep sections.
The trail also requires careful preparation. Riders should carry plenty of food and water supplies. A water filter, spare equipment, rain gear and insect repellent can also prove useful.
Only two small communities currently sit along the route. Rochester and Pittsfield provide the main opportunities for food, supplies and other services.
Small Towns Could Benefit From the Route
The project could also bring more visitors to communities along the trail.
In Rochester, the Stable Inn has become a popular base for cyclists. The guesthouse opened in 2023 after an old timber-frame warehouse underwent a major conversion.
The inn features modern rooms, Nordic-inspired interiors and rooftop solar panels. Riders can stay there before or after completing the loop.
Owner Anni MacKay believes the trail can strengthen the relationship between cyclists and local communities. She says visitors want safe access to the backcountry while still having nearby services.
That connection could become even more important as the Velomont grows.
A Challenging Ride Through the Mountains
The first day can test even experienced cyclists.
The route leaves Rochester and follows paved roads before heading into increasingly rugged terrain. Eventually, smooth asphalt gives way to steep gravel and rough forest tracks.
One section, known as “Perspiration,” lives up to its name. Riders face steep switchbacks while climbing through thick forest.
Logging activity can make conditions even harder. Heavy vehicles can tear up the ground and turn sections of the trail into deep mud.
After the demanding first day, the route offers more relaxed stretches. Riders can follow Route 73 and Bingo Brook Road while passing farms, cottages and quiet stretches of national forest.
The changing scenery provides a reminder of why the route exists. Cyclists can experience parts of Vermont that many visitors simply pass by in a car.
The Velomont Could Transform Bikepacking in Vermont
The Heart of the Greens remains a small piece of a much larger plan.
The Velomont aims to eventually connect more towns and rural businesses across central Vermont. Riders could stop at local stores, restaurants and other businesses while moving between sections of wilderness.
Georgia Grzywacz, who rode the loop in June, enjoyed the balance between wilderness and comfort. She stayed at the Chittenden Brook Hut and appreciated having a kitchen, electricity and a proper mattress nearby.
“You’re camping, but you’re not really camping,” she said.
The final section of the loop provides another major challenge. Riders climb Swan’s Mill Trail before reaching Tunnel Ridge, a five-mile (8km) downhill flow trail with around 110 switchbacks.
The descent eventually leads back toward Rochester. After hours of climbing, the long downhill provides a fitting finish to the journey.
For now, the Heart of the Greens offers a compact introduction to Vermont’s emerging bikepacking network. However, the bigger vision is already taking shape.
As more miles and huts open, the Velomont could give cyclists an entirely new way to explore Vermont — one pedal stroke at a time.
