Ascutney Trails is a network of about 30 miles of trails for non-motorized recreational use, located at the base and western flank of Mt. Ascutney, mostly on the land of the Ascutney Mountain Resort and the town forest of West Windsor Vermont. Although the double-track trails date back 30 years or more, starting in August of 2006, most of the trail system was built, and has been maintained by members of STAB. Maps are available at Brownsville General Store and local bike shops, or better yet, support us by joining STAB, and get a map as part of membership.
The trails are open to the public at no cost, and can be accessed at two trailheads with parking available. The Ascutney Mountain Resorts' Cunningham's trailhead: Enter AMR from Route 44, take the first right, toward the hotel. The second left after the Health and fitness center is the main parking area in front of Cunningham's ski shop. This is the main entrance to the trails, and has an information kiosk with changing room and porta-john. For direct access to the more challenging trails, West Windsor Town Forest Trailhead is found by travelling west on route 44, about one mile from the town hall and turning left onto Coaching Lane. In one mile bear left at the "To Town Forest" sign, pass one house, then bear right. You will pass a sign for "Sport Trails Mountainside", bear left at a gate and climb to the trailhead parking lot
In 2012, the townspeople of West Windsor voted to provide funds for the trail system. As a result the sign system has been greatly upgraded, a kiosk/changing room/porta-potty has been installed at the main trailhead, and the parking at the town forest trail head has been improved and expanded. Funding of a part-time trail manager has also helped to keep the trails in shape while STAB concentrates on new trails/bridges/features as laid out in our master plan.
Motorized vehicles are not allowed on these properties. Horseback riders are invited to use designated double-track trails, but the singletracks are not designed or built to sustain hooved traffic. Hikers, runners and bikers will be found all over the trails from late April to November 1st. In winter, snowshoe and backcountry skier tracks are on every trail, but no grooming or track setting is done.
This network depends on your help in following a few rules as posted at the kiosk and remembering that we are guests on someone else's land - a privilege that can be revoked at any time. Please be a good trail citizen and take the effort to pull that branch off the trail instead of riding over it. Thank you.
For more information about your hosts, the Town of West Windsor, Vermont, go to W. Windsor's website. You can say, "Thank you", by patronizing local businesses. They support us, hoping you will support them. You could also donate to the town's trail fund at the trailhead kiosk or to STAB at donate.
Have fun out there.