Ride Waterbury’s Newest Trails

Waterbury’s already expansive mountain biking gets an upgrade with new trails at Little River State Park.

Vermont’s mountain biking prowess continues to grow. Last week, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (VTFPR), the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) and its local chapter, the Waterbury Area Trails Alliance (WATA) cut the ribbon on three miles of new trails as part of a mountain bike/multi-use trail system at Little River State Park.

“This is truly an exciting time for outdoor recreation in Vermont,” said VTFPR Commissioner Mike Snyder. “With our dedicated staff and volunteers, state parks and forests are excellent places to host public, sustainably built trails, and we are so excited to offer more miles of mountain bike, multiple-use trails at one of our most popular state parks, Little River.”

The approximately 4.5 total miles of trail, of which 3 miles are new, are characterized as intermediate, “flow-style” trail. Designed by Brooke Scatchard and Mariah Keagy of Sinuosity Trails, LLC and built by Knight Ide and the crew of IdeRide, this trail creates a suggested uphill and downhill route which allows riders and pedestrians a fun way to access the trail network in the History Hike area of Little River State Park.

Visitors can expect a challenging ride which is appropriate for intermediate riders or beginners looking to improve their skills. The technical aspects of the downhill route will be fun even for expert riders.

These new trails will add to an already popular network of mountain bike opportunities in the area (which includes Perry Hill in CC Putnam State Forest) and will be maintained in partnership with the Waterbury Area Trails Alliance, a Vermont Mountain Bike Association chapter.

“VMBA is thrilled to continue growing our relationship with Forests Parks & Recreation,” said Tom Stuessy, VMBA’s executive director. “WATA’s commitment to this project is a great example to other chapters seeking state land access and we’re all eager to see riders having a great time on the new trails in Little River.”

This trail construction represents Phase I of a multi-phase project which will include more miles of trail as well as plans for increased visitor parking and facilities. The project is made possible through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Recreational Trails Program, VMBA’s trail grant program, and WATA’s local fundraising and volunteer work.

For more information about Little River State Park, visit http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/littleriver.htm.

Day use fees at the park are $4 per person for people over 14 years old, $2 per person for children four years through 13 years old, and free for children three years old and younger.

To find out more about WATA visit www.waterburytrails.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WaterburyTrails/.