Berlin Pond Loop - 5 Miles
* Tour Difficulty: 3
Terrain and Road Conditions:
This loop is shorter and not as hilly as most of the other rides. It is suitable for casual cyclists and even families, if the children are fairly strong peddlers. The entire route is on dirt roads.
Tour Highlights:
This tour will take you around the perimeter of Berlin Pond. Nestled at the foot of the Irish Hills, Berlin Pond supplies the drinking water for Vermont's capital city, Montpelier. The pond is a popular spot for bird watchers, joggers and bicyclists. Automobiles also share these roads, so remember to ride single file.
Route Description:
Park at the designated parking area on Brookfield Road near the intersection of Paine Turnpike. Turn left out of the lot and ride along the west side of the pond.
At about .4 mile, after crossing a wetland area, the road will climb into a wooded area. Bear left to continue on Brookfield Road.
Proceed south along Brookfield Road. The terrain is rolling, passing a few residences, farmsteads and glances of the pond to the east.
At about 2.2 miles the road reaches a remote intersection. Take a sharp left onto Mirror Lake Road.
At the 2.7-mile mark, after crossing a wetland, the road intersects with Paine Turnpike South. Turn left (north) and proceed along the eastern shore of the pond.
At about 4.5 miles, you will begin to parallel I-89. Not long after that, Brookfield Road will appear on your left. Take the left turn back to the parking area.
* Difficulty is based on a scale of 1 (Easy - Family Friendly) to 10 (Very Difficult - Experience is Advised).
We suggest reading the route description to figure out if this tour is right for you.
