Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Manchester, Vermont

Vermont Class 4 Road: This up-and-back road is a quick, unchallenging trail to an amazing view of Prospect Rock. The trail ends at a gate shortly after it is joined by the Appalachian Trail. If you hit the gate, you already drove by the lookout. Once the AT enters the road from the left, there is a ...
Learn more about Old Rootville Road

Vermont Class 4 Road: This is an easy drive through a notch between Little Equinox and Pendock Hill. The trail is sometimes steep, especially on the eastern slope, but includes nothing too technical. The road parallels Skyline Drive, the longest paved toll road in the US for some of the eastern clim...
Learn more about Southeast Corners Road

This trail is a simple two-track side road completely in the woods. Areas are subject to becoming overgrown, especially halfway, where there is an opening from the trees. When you reach the end of the trail, there is a secluded campsite that puts you far from most others; however, it is often full.
Learn more about Rock City Road

Kelly Stand Road serves as the main artery through the heart of the Green Mountain National Forest. With numerous spur trails branching off along the way, there’s something here for everyone to explore. You’ll also find plenty of spots to pull off the road—perfect for taking photos, casting a line, ...
Learn more about Kelly Stand Road

During the on-season, this is a well-maintained trail off of Kelly Strand Road that leads to a beautiful pond. There is parking available at the end of the trail, with a 0.3-mile walk to Branch Pond. The trail is accessible to most vehicles depending on the weather.
Learn more about Branch Pond Trail

A smooth, easy-going track with several pull-offs for photos and wildlife viewing. The road is well maintained by the Forest Service and sees more traffic than most in the area due to the campground at its termination point. Improvements to the campground began in 2025 and are ongoing into 2026, and...
Learn more about Grout Pond Road

Staples Brook Trail, also known as Forest Service Road 58, is a true mountain two-track trail. Running along the border of the Peru Peak Wilderness, this route crosses mountain streams at two different locations. Multiple primitive roadside campsites are scattered along the length of the trail, maki...
Learn more about Staples Brook Road

Also known as Forest Road 86, this short but important trail provides access to several campsites, some of which are drier than others in the area. It’s a narrow, out-and-back two-track that terminates at a boulder wall, where a clearly visible trail continues on foot or by mountain bike to its end.
Learn more about Smith Woods Trail

Mad Tom Notch Road or Forest Road 21 in the Green Mountain National Forest is a well-maintained out-and-back trail that provides access to several hiking paths along with scenic overlooks. The trail is wide and relatively smooth. Cell service is unreliable along this trail, so be sure to download an...
Learn more about Mad Tom Notch Road

Discover this hidden out-and-back trail, formerly a historic town highway. The route offers a unique journey through forest ruins and remnants of old stone walls, characterized by a distinct two-track path with tall grass in the center. The trail features a solid, stable base, which is also enjoyed ...
Learn more about Stone Place Road

Also known as Forest Road 83, this track follows the Deerfield River as it winds through scenic wetlands before gradually transitioning into a dense conifer forest. The setting changes noticeably along the route, offering a mix of open, marshy views and shaded sections beneath the trees. The trail b...
Learn more about Flood Dam Trail

A quick spur through an easily accessible forest trail set on the west side of the Green Mountain National Forest. This spunky trail may be short, but the sounds of being in the middle of nowhere quickly consume you. While traversing slightly rutted dirt tracks, you'll come upon a couple of small hi...
Learn more about Danby Depot Spur - FS 48A

Danby (FS 10) is a straightforward forest road best suited for casual offroaders and overlanders looking for a quiet drive through the Green Mountain National Forest with minimal technical challenge. Running between Danby-Landgrove Road and Little Michigan trailheads along the edges of the Peru Peak...
Learn more about Danby (FS 10)

Tabor Brook Trail, also known as Forest Service Road 279, is a primitive gravel out-and-back two-track route. The trail features tight sections and several scenic primitive campsites as it winds alongside Mount Tabor Brook. This USFS road ultimately terminates at the entrance of an unmaintained Clas...
Learn more about Tabor Brook Trail

Somerset Trail (Forest Road 71) is a well-maintained, relatively smooth gravel road offering the same access and scenery as other routes in the area. Multiple pull-offs and campsites can be found along its length. Expect a moderate amount of vehicle traffic, and be aware of pedestrians and cyclists,...
Learn more about Somerset Trail

Black Branch Trail, also known as Forest Service Road 60, is a scenic out-and-back route. The trail follows a narrow two-track corridor beneath a dense canopy of hardwoods, providing a peaceful backcountry experience with very little traffic. Multiple primitive campsites can be found along the route...
Learn more about Black Branch Trail

Old Job Road, also known as Forest Service Road 30, is an easy two-track path that winds through dense forests, scenic beaver swamps, and bogs. Accessible to most vehicles, the route features primitive campsites, backcountry bridges, and several intersecting hiking trails. Expect a tranquil experien...
Learn more about Old Job Road

An easy drive just off a fork from FR 10. A few twists and turns through the trees take you to a spectacular camping area right on the water. This one-vehicle-wide dirt road will bring you over a bridge and through the woods- some parts on foot, others on wheels. Foot traffic is welcome to cross thi...
Learn more about Old Job Rd Trail

Also known as Forest Road 278, this trail starts very easily and is scenic, but quickly turns into a challenge when you turn to head uphill. The track will require you to air down as it is very rocky, narrow, and a slow crawl in places. There are ledges and areas where the trail washes out and leave...
Learn more about Middle Ridge Road

The trail is well-maintained by the National Forest Service and features several campsites along its length. It becomes narrow in certain sections, particularly toward the northern end, where it intersects with cross-country ski and hiking trails. Toward the southern end, ATV and SxS traffic is more...
Learn more about Prospect Mountain Trail

Vermont Class 4 Road: This up-and-back road is a quick, unchallenging trail to an amazing view of Prospect Rock. The trail ends at a gate shortly after it is joined by the Appalachian Trail. If you hit the gate, you already drove by the lookout. Once the AT enters the road from the left, there is a ...
Learn more about Old Rootville Road

Vermont Class 4 Road: This is an easy drive through a notch between Little Equinox and Pendock Hill. The trail is sometimes steep, especially on the eastern slope, but includes nothing too technical. The road parallels Skyline Drive, the longest paved toll road in the US for some of the eastern clim...
Learn more about Southeast Corners Road

This trail is a simple two-track side road completely in the woods. Areas are subject to becoming overgrown, especially halfway, where there is an opening from the trees. When you reach the end of the trail, there is a secluded campsite that puts you far from most others; however, it is often full.
Learn more about Rock City Road

During the on-season, this is a well-maintained trail off of Kelly Strand Road that leads to a beautiful pond. There is parking available at the end of the trail, with a 0.3-mile walk to Branch Pond. The trail is accessible to most vehicles depending on the weather.
Learn more about Branch Pond Trail

Vermont Class 4 Road: This up-and-back road is a quick, unchallenging trail to an amazing view of Prospect Rock. The trail ends at a gate shortly after it is joined by the Appalachian Trail. If you hit the gate, you already drove by the lookout. Once the AT enters the road from the left, there is a ...
Learn more about Old Rootville Road

This trail is a simple two-track side road completely in the woods. Areas are subject to becoming overgrown, especially halfway, where there is an opening from the trees. When you reach the end of the trail, there is a secluded campsite that puts you far from most others; however, it is often full.
Learn more about Rock City Road

During the on-season, this is a well-maintained trail off of Kelly Strand Road that leads to a beautiful pond. There is parking available at the end of the trail, with a 0.3-mile walk to Branch Pond. The trail is accessible to most vehicles depending on the weather.
Learn more about Branch Pond Trail

A quick spur through an easily accessible forest trail set on the west side of the Green Mountain National Forest. This spunky trail may be short, but the sounds of being in the middle of nowhere quickly consume you. While traversing slightly rutted dirt tracks, you'll come upon a couple of small hi...
Learn more about Danby Depot Spur - FS 48A