Support Our Trails

Trails don’t maintain themselves.

We’re incredibly lucky to have a wealth of trail systems within walking, biking, and driving distance of Burlington, VT. Keeping trails in usable condition, building new trails, and negotiating to maintain access requires constant hard work.

The directory below inlcudes links to several fantastic organizations within Vermont working to conserve land, build trail systems, and maintain the ones we’ve got. Check out their sites to donate or volunteer and spread the trail love.

For more on trail maintenance, advocacy, and how trail runners can help, check out our post here.

Mountain Biking Organizations

Most MTB trails don’t only serve bikers - the LARGE majority are also open to walking, hiking and trail running. We owe many of the trail systems that we run on frequently to VT’s mountain biking community, who have worked tirelessly to advocate for access and build incredible trail systems throughout our state for years. Info on trail conditions can be found on their websites, as can volunteer opportunities and links for donations.

Vermont Mountain Biking Association

VMBA

Statewide network for building, maintaining and advocating for many multi-use and mountain biking trail systems. If you are also a MTB’er, VMBA membership includes discounts for day passes, equipment tune-ups, and more that exceed the cost of membership. One-time donations are also possible.

Fellowship of the Wheel

FOTW

Local VMBA chapter responsible for maintaining and building trails at many Chittenden County spots we love including Sunny Hollow, Saxon Hill, Mud Pond, Carse, Hinesburg Town Forest, Sleepy Hollow, Mobbs, and Catamount Outdoor Center

Richmond Mountain Trails

RMT

Local VMBA chapter responsible for trails throughout Richmond, including Chamberlain Hills, Preston Forest, and more. Many of these trails are privately owned land that generously allow us to play on them!

Cochran’s Ski Area

Cochran's

Family-owned ski area that also manages and maintains the many miles of challenging, beautiful hiking and biking trails at Cochran’s. You can donate to support their efforts in year-round recreation on their website.

Stowe Trails Partnership

STP

Local VMBA chapter responsible for many favorite trail running destinations in the Stowe area including Cady Hill, Adams Camp, Sterling Forest and Cotton Brook. STP has a special trail runner membership ($35/year) and offers weekly group runs in the summer and fall!

Waterbury Area Trail Alliance

WATA

Local VMBA chapter that manages Waterbury trails including Perry Hill and Little River State Park.

Multi-sport Organizations

Green Mountain Club

GMC

The GMC conserves, protects, and maintains many miles of beautiful hiking trails throughout the state of Vermont - including our namesake, the Long Trail. You can support GMC through a one-time donation or by becoming a member - membership includes discounts and coupons at local businesses!

Catamount Trail Association

CTA

CTA maintains and advocates for the Catamount Trail, a 300+ mile trail system allowing folks to traverse the length of Vermont on skis. They offer stewardship, education, and promote backcountry skiing statewide. Membership includes discounts to day passes to many ski areas, equipment tune-ups, and more!

CRAG VT

Providing advocacy, conservation, stewardship, education and community for rock and ice climbers throughout Vermont.

Land Trusts + Conservation

Vermont is lucky to have statewide and local land trust organizations. These organizations support the conservation of farm and forestland, including many trail systems and wildlife corridors. We can thank them for keeping our state picturesque - from patchworks of farmland, to huge swaths of beautiful forests. Many communities have their own local land trust chapters - Google to see if there’s one near you!