Arlington, Shaftsbury, Glastenbury, and Sunderland
5/11/24
This might be my favorite route ever so far, such a fun bike ride on a beautiful spring day. It is actually two separate loops connected by a little jog on Route 7A. You will snag four towns in 28 miles, pass a cemetery, see a waterfall, and go under a covered bridge. It offers a stop at a chocolate shop, and a glimpse of a ghost haunted forest.
This route starts in the Center of Arlington, crosses route 7A, and heads toward Shaftsbury on what is initially paved Warm Brook Road. It quickly becomes gravel, and then you turn right on Maple Hill Road. This is where most of the climbing is, gaining 800 feet elevation in the next 8 miles, through quiet back roads. You pass a old cemetery on your left, a great spot to stop and snap a few pictures.
This climb ends with an out and back on Glastenbury road. Glastenbury is primarily a wilderness town, with almost no residents (count was 9 at the 2020 census) and even fewer roads. Glastenbury Mountain is partially privately owned, and part state owned but is a vast wilderness with lots of local folk tales of a mysterious ghost town, a BigFoot monster, and strange disappearances.
Coming back from Glastenbury Road, you take a quick left on Maple Hill Road again, and swing through some quiet rolling hills. A couple of miles and a few turns later, you ride by Miller Pond, with a great view of Mount Equinox.
After a very short stint on Route 7A, you turn on Ice Pond Road toward East Arlington. There is a sweet little waterfall on your right soon after the turn.
The next part of this loop takes you into Sunderland, which is a residential village without much of a town center, but a cool history of being the site of a sharp tool manufacturer – and thus named Chiselville. It is also home to a beautiful covered bridge with some strict regulation on speed.
After crossing the covered bridge, it is a short ride down the hill into Arlington Center again, and the finish of your ride.
If you are bike and camping, we recommend Howell’s Family Campground -on 212 No Name Rd, located right in a heart of Arlington, VT. This is a hidden gem!
https://www.howellscampingarea.com
Our Campsite under the trees.