Vermont’s Mad River Valley has 60 miles of singletrack and almost no one knows about it

The Mad River Riders, a Vermont-based trail advocacy group, have quietly established an impressive 60-mile network of singletrack trails within the Mad River Valley. This extensive system, highlighted by a recent *Singletracks* article, was developed through a collaborative effort involving local landowners and dedicated trail builders, creating what is now considered one of New England's most diverse mountain biking destinations, largely under the radar.

This achievement is particularly significant given the increasing challenges faced by trail builders in securing access and land-use agreements, especially on private property. The Riders' success in weaving together such a substantial network across a patchwork of private land demonstrates a model of community engagement and negotiation that many other regions struggle to replicate. It offers a blueprint for sustainable trail development, contrasting with areas where land access disputes often stymie expansion or even threaten existing trails.

Ultimately, the Mad River Valley's quiet triumph reminds us that the best trails are often born not from grand pronouncements, but from persistent, respectful groundwork. A lesson many could stand to learn.