The Green Mountain Gravel Loops in Vermont offer a bikepacking experience that blends gritty terrain with rewarding solitude. Stretching between 30 and 60 miles depending on your route, these loops carve through thick hardwood forests and open ridges, inviting you to test both stamina and skill. The earth beneath your tires changes frequently—crushed rock, dirt, sporadic roots—each patch a challenge governed by the land’s raw personality.

Starting just outside Middlebury, Vermont, the most popular loop covers roughly 50 miles and demands around 4,500 feet of elevation gain. Climbs are steady but rarely cruel, pushing upward where the forest canopy thins and views of the Green Mountains reveal themselves like cautious eyes peeking through the leaves. The descent can be equally thrilling — loose gravel and occasional washouts—requiring careful line choice and respect for the forces pushing your wheels forward.

Birdsong cuts through the still air, and hidden brooks dare you to pause and refill your bottle before the next stretch. Along the way, you might glimpse deer slipping silently between maples or catch the sudden splash of a bird rising off a mossy bank. The Green Mountain Gravel Loops don’t just demand your energy; they reward it with moments of wild connection, places fiercely themselves yet inviting exploration.

Preparation is key. Hydration is non-negotiable here—water sources appear but can’t be counted on. A well-fitted gravel or bikepacking bike with robust tires (minimum 38mm tread, recommended 42mm for rougher sections) is essential to handle variable surfaces. Timing your ride for late spring through early fall captures the trail’s full personality: muds give way to dust, and long daylight stretches allow a more relaxed pace.

Keep your gear minimal but sufficient—think layered clothing for sudden temperature shifts, a solid repair kit, and nutrition for sustained effort. Expect to spend 6 to 8 hours on the standard loop at a steady pace, less if you prefer accelerating through flow sections. Safety means respecting the trail’s unyielding rhythm and the weather’s sharp turns; Vermont’s mountains can surprise the unprepared with swift storms.

Ultimately, bikepacking the Green Mountain Gravel Loops is an engagement, not a conquest. The land pushes back and invites you to understand its subtle complexities. Whether you're a newcomer eager for a rugged introduction or a seasoned rider seeking refreshing challenge, these loops offer a ride that’s gritty, rewarding, and unapologetically Vermont.