Best Mountain Biking Spots Outside Boston

There's nothing quite like a good bike ride. Whether for exercise or simple recreation, it's always a satisfying outlet. Some prefer flat straight-aways, others hills and twists and turns. The rush of cycling in the city can be just as fun as a relaxed, scenic cruise. That's the best part about cycling, you can do it nearly anywhere and there's always something for everyone.

With over 50 miles of wooded trails, Savoy Mountain State Forest is a great place for hiking, exploring -- and mountainbiking! Head to Western Massachusetts to enjoy this serene state park and to take advantage of some of the most impressive bike trails. People who enjoy mountain biking find many of the trails challenging, which is also a plus.

Kingdom Trails
478 VT-114
East Burke, VT 05832
(802) 626-0737
www.kingdomtrails.org

You'll have to head three hours north of the city to reach Kingdom Trails, but it is totally worth it! The 151-mile trails are absolutely perfect for mountain biking, especially in the fall because the foliage is quite lovely. It is an extremely popular spot that attracts biking fans from all over New England... and beyond. There is a welcome center on property which can give you all of the information you need.

Perhaps the best aspect of this mountain biking location is the accessibility to Bear Hill Pond -- the perfect place for a cool off dip after a long, sweaty bike ride. There are different trails for different levels of adventure, depending what you're in the mood for. Ferret Trail, for example, is pretty easy compared to the rocky Carr Ridge. Bear Hill is definitely the most challenging trail here, but there's a pretty sweet reward at the end -- a major downhill.

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Bradbury Mountain State Park
528 Hallowell Road
Pownal, ME 04069
(207) 688-4712
www.bradburymountain.com

There's lots to explore at Bradbury Mountain State Park. You can check out their website (above) for trail maps which will help you plan your adventure once you arrive. The maps show descriptions of each trail which is great because you will know what to expect. Pownal, Maine, is about 127 miles north of Boston, but the location is pretty unbeatable. Bradbury Mountain is one of Maine's original five state parks. For non-Maine residents, there's a fee of $4.50 for a "Day Use" pass.

The 14,000+ acre Arcadia Management Area attracts bikers from all over New England. According to their website, it's Rhode Island's largest recreational area and offers hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and other activities. If you are heading to Arcadia to go mountain biking, it is recommended that you park in the lot at the Browning Mill Pond Recreation Area or the lot at Brook Trail as there is easy access to Midway Trail.

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