Did you know Charlemont is quickly gaining a reputation as the premier mountain biking center in southern New England as a result of an effort by three landowners - The Warfield House, Berkshire East and Zoar Outdoor and the New England Mountain Bike Association(NEMBA) - to establish a trail system that is now over 25 miles long. The particular attraction of the Charlemont Trail System is its variety of scenery, from mountain tops to wooded brooks and from fields with incredible views to dense hemlock groves; and its variety of terrain, from technically difficult, steep climbs to flowy downhills.
In addition to informal visits from riders, local bikers have set aside the second Thursday of each month for a group ride that meets at the Warfield House at 6 pm. This past Thursday, 21 riders showed up to try out the trails, some for the first time, and many for repeat visits. The youngest rider was 14 and the oldest, 70, but we all came prepared for climbing over stone walls and logs, swooping through banked turns and having a great time!
You don't have to be a mountain biker to enjoy the Charlemont trails - they're great for hiking as well, and best of all, they're free and open to the public. Maps are available at A.L. Avery's, Zoar Outdoor, Berkshire East and the Warfield House. Join our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/CharlemontTrails - for trail updates and announcements of rides and organized hikes, and come visit anytime to enjoy your own local adventure!
This article from the SFABA Bulletin
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