The best gravel rides around Hardwick

Hardwick offers a diverse gravel biking experience. You'll find an extensive network of unpaved roads, ranging from smooth, packed dirt paths to more challenging routes with frequent, steep climbs, some reaching grades of 20% or more. The landscape features rolling hills, dense forests, open farmlands, and picturesque scenery, providing varied terrain suitable for different skill levels.

Yes, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) is an excellent option for easy and family-friendly gravel biking. This 93-mile multi-use recreation trail passes directly through Hardwick, offering a flat and accessible path suitable for all ages and skill levels. It's a great way to enjoy the scenic rural landscapes with minimal traffic.

The main trailhead for the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in Hardwick offers convenient parking. Additionally, for accessing the Hardwick Trails network, parking is available behind Hazen Union School. Many local gravel roads also offer roadside parking opportunities, but always ensure you are not blocking private access or traffic.

Hardwick's gravel routes offer stunning views. Bridgman Hill Road is particularly praised for its epic views of the Green Mountains and winding paths through open farmland. You'll also encounter picturesque lakes, dense forests, and tranquil farmlands throughout the region. For specific points of interest, consider visiting King's College Chapel or the Mathematical Bridge, Queens' College, which are notable landmarks in the broader area.

Beyond the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, local favorites for scenic gravel rides include Bridgman Hill Road, known for its Green Mountain vistas. Other routes like Bunker Hill Road to Simmons Road and Marsh Road, or East Elmore Road to Kate Brook Road and Buffalo Mountain Road to State Route 14, offer beautiful rides through rural Vermont landscapes.

Yes, the Hardwick Trails network, located on the western slopes of Bridgman Hill, offers over 6 miles of single-track mountain biking trails. These can be incorporated into your gravel rides if you're looking for varied terrain and a more challenging experience. Access is conveniently located behind Hazen Union School.

Hardwick is suitable for gravel biking across multiple seasons. The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is accessible year-round. Spring and fall offer vibrant foliage and comfortable temperatures, while summer provides lush green landscapes. Be prepared for potential mud in spring and early summer, and check local conditions, especially for steep climbs, which can be more challenging in wet weather.

Absolutely. The region is rich in natural beauty. You can explore Nichols Pond, a peaceful spot ideal for kayaking or swimming, or Barr Hill, a Nature Conservancy property with easy hikes and beautiful views. Cheever's Falls is a scenic local waterfall accessible via a short hike, and Caspian Lake is known for its public beach and sunsets. While a bit further, Green River Reservoir State Park also offers significant natural areas.

There are over 15 gravel bike routes available around Hardwick, offering a variety of distances and difficulty levels. This includes 7 easy routes and 8 moderate routes, ensuring options for both casual riders and those seeking a more challenging adventure.

The gravel biking routes in Hardwick are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 40 reviews. Riders often praise the extensive network of unpaved roads, the stunning scenic views of rolling hills and farmlands, and the diverse terrain that caters to different skill levels.

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) is a significant long-distance option, stretching 93 miles. While it passes through Hardwick, you can ride extensive sections of this multi-use trail, connecting various towns and offering a continuous, relatively flat gravel experience.

Yes, many of the gravel roads in Hardwick can be combined to create circular routes, allowing you to start and end in the same location. For example, local routes like Bunker Hill Road, Simmons Road, and Marsh Road can be linked to form loops through the scenic countryside. You can use komoot to plan and discover various circular options.

While many gravel roads are relatively smooth, riders should be prepared for frequent and sometimes steep climbs, especially in the Green Mountains and Northeast Kingdom regions. Some routes feature grades of 20% or more, offering a good challenge for those seeking significant elevation gain. Even easier routes like Cambridge Railway Station – Stapleford to Babraham Track loop from Cambridge can have over 139 meters of ascent.