Biking
Mountain Biking and Cycling in Stowe
Stowe is home to Cottonbrook, Vermont's first marked mountain-bike trail on state land. The trail was built as a joint project between Stowe and the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council. Other sanctioned mountain-bike trails are Old County Road, Stowe Hollow and Brownsville.
Visitors who want to get the most out of an excursion can take advantage of guided mountain-bike tours offered by several area bike shops. They can ride along with naturalists or historians, or opt for a trip that combines hiking, mountain biking, a picnic lunch, and swimming.
For those who want a gentler pace, a favorite bicycle ride is on Stowe's award-winning Recreation Path. The 5.3-mile paved trail starts in Stowe Village, winds its way through forests and meadows, and crosses the West Branch River 11 times on arched wooden bridges. Numerous shops, lodges, and restaurants are accessible from the path.
Cyclists can ride on 103 miles of road in Stowe--29 miles are blacktop and 74 miles are unpaved for relatively easy mountain biking. About 300 rental bicycles are available from several shops on or near Stowe's Recreation Path: Action Outfitters, A.J.'s Ski & Sports, Boots 'n Boards, the Mountain Sports & Bike Shop, and Pinnacle Ski & Sports. Adults can choose from mountain bikes for all levels, touring bikes, and bicycles-built-for-two. Children may want to try out a "trailabike"--one-wheel half-bikes that attach to an adult's bicycle. They can help pedal the trailabike or let their parents do the work when they get tired. Children's bikes, trailers and bike seats also are available.
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