Lake Champlain Bikeways

Bicyclists are quickly discovering some of the finest cycling in North America along a 1,187- mile network of bicycle routes, known as Lake Champlain Bikeways, in the Lake Champlain Valley of Vermont, New York, and Québec. The network includes a total of 27 loops and tours ranging from 10 to 47 miles in length, in addition to the Champlain Bikeway, a 363-mile principal route around the entire Lake and along the Richelieu River to Chambly, Québec. Based on a rich array of natural, cultural, and historic themes, these loops meander along quiet back roads through extraordinary mountain and countryside scenery.

With growing national interest in bicycle tourism, Lake Champlain Bikeways, a public/private partnership, is quickly expanding its bicycle route network while serving as the information clearinghouse on bicycling opportunities in the Champlain Valley.

Cyclists who ride in the Champlain Valley know it has all the right ingredients for a premier bicycle touring destination: peaceful country roads, picturesque villages, breathtaking scenery, charming B&B's and inns, country stores and farmstands, bicycle tour outfitters, impressive historic sites and museums, lovely shoreline parks and campgrounds, convenient connections to passenger rail lines and ferry crossings, and access to numerous lakes and rivers.

What is a Lake Champlain Bikeways Theme Loop?

A Lake Champlain Bikeways Theme Loop is a bicycle route of the Lake Champlain Bikeways network named for the natural and cultural characteristics of the landscape it passes through. Using existing roads, themes loops generally range from 20-40 miles in distance and often link natural, cultural, historic, and recreational sites and attractions. As a side loop of the 363-mile Lake Champlain Bikeways principal route, theme loops offer opportunities to explore the hamlets and hinterlands of the Champlain Valley. Important facilities and services that provide touring cyclists with food, water, parking, restrooms, and accommodations exist on all Lake Champlain Bikeways theme loops.

Through the development of a Lake Champlain Bikeways network, bicycle loops with themes such as the Valley of Forts, the Great Falls of the Basin, the Orchard Loop, the International Loop, the Rolling Farmsteads Loop, and many other natural, cultural, historic, and agricultural theme loops will characterize one of the finest bicycle touring destinations in North America. Working with communities and businesses interested in economically benefiting from bicycle theme loops, Lake Champlain Bikeways hopes to complete a network of 2,500 miles of loops in the Champlain Valley by 2005. To reach this goal, a substantial amount of local support and outreach is needed.

Why are Theme Loops Better?

The Lake Champlain Bikeways Steering Committee is convinced that there is tremendous potential to create enticing bicycle theme loops in the Champlain Valley. Rather than basing the Bikeways network on a generic system such as a numerical system (i.e. loop #1, 2, 3, and so on), or a geographical system (i.e. northwest loop, south loop, etc.), Lake Champlain Bikeways will base them on intriguing and characterizing themes. We believe that linking the diversity of natural, cultural, and historic resources found in the Champlain Valley will add immeasurably to the richness and charm of our network. The resources and amenities of the Champlain Valley landscape offer wonderful opportunities to create bicycle loops that are interesting and informative. Local and visiting cyclists alike will better learn about the area, and appreciate the features that make it so unique.

This, we believe, is the key to a successful network - for economic, community, cultural, and educational reasons. Those communities looking for ways to culturally enrich and economically strengthen themselves stand to benefit from this network of bicycle theme loops, especially if they participate fully in its conception, planning, and implementation.

Make a donation to Lake Champlain Bikeways! Lake Champlain Bikeways is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations are fully tax deductible.

Lake Champlain Bikeways Clearinghouse
c/o Local Motion Trailside Center
1 Steele Street #103
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 652-BIKE phone/fax
champlainbikeways.org

Disclaimer: Users assume all risks, inherent and not inherent, in the use of materials recommending routes of the Lake Champlain Bikeways network and all affiliated organizations, and individuals disclaim any and all liability on their part for damages or injuries to persons or property should they occur. Routes are chosen, designated and/or signed because: they are popular, or are preferred, or provide continuous routes to destinations, or are lightly traveled, or are scenic, or have more room for cars and bikes, or possess a combination of these attributes.