Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near South Shaftsbury, Vermont

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

Narrow trail that meanders along the path of the Stamford Stream, dotted with private property. There is a parking area about halfway down to get out and stretch your legs, or park and head to the stream for some fishing. If you make it to the end of the trail, there are ruins of an old mill, which ...
Learn more about Dunville Hollow 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

This is a well-maintained gravel road flanked by forests and dispersed campsites on either side. There is a gate at the entrance which is closed from December 15th to May 1st. Camping is allowed at the dispersed campsites which include space for 1-2 cars and a fire ring but no bathrooms. There are n...
Learn more about US FSR 74

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

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

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

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

An alternate exit/entrance from County Road, this trail is a muddy, rocky, and rutted path through mostly hardwood forests. There are several instances where alternate paths avoid rockier terrain but travel through murky muddy pools. Near the intersection with County Road is a small murky pond and c...
Learn more about Risky Ranch Road (VT TR 302)

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

This is a well-maintained state access road with wooded valley views, numerous adjacent brooks, and multiple side hiking trails. It is part of the Berlin State Forest and provides access to the Taconic Crest hiking trail network. The only challenge would be numerous mud holes if driven during the we...
Learn more about Cowdry Hollow to Comstock Hollow Road

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

Low risk, high reward. This trail through Monroe State has it all: a wooded drive, fantastic views, and amazing waterfalls. The trail has two names because it is a town road that passes through two towns, with a different name in each town. The very northern end of the trail crosses Dunbar Brook whe...
Learn more about Monroe/ Raycroft Road

This is a very gentle dirt road with a mildly more difficult center section that is not maintained. The real gem of this trail is the access it provides to Bog Pond, which includes a small boat launch. This trail is a main access corridor leading to multiple off-shoot hiking trails in the Savoy Stat...
Learn more about Savoy Road/New State Road

This route starts as an easy track curving through thickly wooded state land. It eventually rises to a ridge with decent views of the west and spectacular views to the east overlooking the Taconic Ridge and the Berlin Pass. This road is inside Cherryplain State Park with lots of other activities, in...
Learn more about Schaeffer Road

This is a quiet and usually easy alternative route to ascend Mount Greylock, Massachusetts highest peak. While only open June through October, this gravely jaunt through the woods is more peaceful than the paved and more popular Rockwell Road. Eventually it does meet up with the paved main road, and...
Learn more about Greylock Road

Adams Road is a deeply rutted and muddy road that descends from near an active fire tower (with a gated access road, but hiking up to it is permitted) down the northeast side of Borden Mountain. Views are mostly wooded, with some teases of mountains poking through the leaf canopy.
Learn more about Adams 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

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

This is a well-maintained gravel road flanked by forests and dispersed campsites on either side. There is a gate at the entrance which is closed from December 15th to May 1st. Camping is allowed at the dispersed campsites which include space for 1-2 cars and a fire ring but no bathrooms. There are n...
Learn more about US FSR 74

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

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

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

This is a well-maintained gravel road flanked by forests and dispersed campsites on either side. There is a gate at the entrance which is closed from December 15th to May 1st. Camping is allowed at the dispersed campsites which include space for 1-2 cars and a fire ring but no bathrooms. There are n...
Learn more about US FSR 74

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

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

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