Norwich University Full Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

This an entirely machine built trail system using some existing fire road to connect the trails up. The climb up the Green/Blue/Yellow Trail is moderate in pitch and most riders even ranked beginner will eventually make it up, the climb up the Red Trail to the top of the Orange Trail is flat-out brutal. However, the ride down is fantastic. This is an amazing machine-built trail system.

Everyone will enjoy riding the Yellow Trail and Green Trail IMO with the top being reserved for those with great bike handling skills or those who want great handling skills.

It's a short loop, but it's worth repeating.

Find your way to Norwich University in Northfield, VT. The trails are across the street from the University.

These trails are bi-directional but flow best when ridden clockwise. Start your ride from the parking area and head up to the Shaw Outdoor Center and pick a trail from there. There is a full trail map on the side of the building if you are interested. You can begin your ride by traveling up the service road and getting on one of the trails there, or you can ride up the green/blue trail behind the new health center. The trail is well marked and you follow the signs for the Green Trail until you see a sign for the Yellow Trail. You'll continue up on mostly easy climbing singletrack through woods and open meadows and past a small podium until you reach the Red Trail intersection.

You'll have climbed roughly 450 feet so far and you'll be on top of the easier Yellow Trail and Green Trail. If you want to go to the top, make a left and continue up the doubletrack. This trail will get very steep in a hurry. Most of this climb is over 15 percent grade with sections approaching 25 percent. It's brutal but trust me it's worth it.

The Orange Trail briefly touches the doubletrack where you see a log ride continue to the top from here. When you reach the top, you now have a great view of the surrounding countryside from the top of the old ski lift. From here your options are the Orange Trail, or more adventurous BC style singletrack to your east.

Drop your seat and get ready to get your pump and flow on. The Orange Trail is a boring name for what is a silly fun downhill trail. The first couple times down it may be hard to find the speed or the way but once you find it, there are literally countless doubles of all sizes and tons of fun berms.

The Orange Trail will spit you out onto the Yellow Trail, which is much easier, more mellow, and more pedally than the Orange Trail. The Yellow Trail twists and weaves down with some really fun doubles and tabletops and a mix of flat and bermed turns. After a tabletop into a 180-degree berm turn, you'll be on gravel doubletrack. Hold your speed and take the next right to get to the top of the Green Trail.

The Green Trail is the easiest trail here but it's not any less fun. You'll find more of the Yellow Trail here with great tabletops. It's a great trail for people just learning how to pump/jump and rail berms. The Green Trail puts you out on a wider fire road and you can take that all the ways down to the Outdoor Center. Do not forget the last little bit of singletrack to your car.

These trails are a blast just please do not ride when the ground is soft.

These trails were built by Brooke Scatchard of Sinuosity Flowing Trails and Phase 1 was completed in November 2012. Brooke, Dave Packie, and other locals continue to maintain these trails.