Race Course Descriptions

50 Mile Course Description (subject to change)

The Vermont 50 goes through many private properties, which makes the race special. It can also causes last minute changes to our race course. We will do our best to keep these changes to a minimum. Any last minute course changes will be revealed at the mandatory pre-race meeting, please be there to hear these changes!

FYI-The majority of the trails on our race course are quite rideable/runnable with little in the way of rocks or roots.  Almost all are part of the Green Mountain Horse Association trail network and are well maintained.

While on course stay to the right, single file and obey all traffic laws. Public roads will be open during the event, motor vehicles not associated with the race may be encountered, DO NOT assume right-of-way unless directed by race officials. Many of the dirt roads are narrow and cars should be given as much room to pass as possible.

The Course starts on Ski Tow Road about 100 yards from the BIG Tent.  You head down the paved Ski Tow Rd. to Rte. 44.  Sharp left, followed by an equally-sharp right turn onto unpaved Brook Rd.  After 4/10 mi. turn left to start a 2.3 mile stretch of climbing and rolling gravel roads to the first aid station.

Travel 2 miles of uphill on snowmobile ATV trail.  Then 1.5 miles of road before your next aid station, followed by 4 more miles of trail to Skunk Hollow.

After the aid station at the Skunk Hollow Tavern (@12 mi.), the next 8 mile stretch includes less than 2 on trail.  Our race course alternates between road and trail and gives you plenty of hills to deal with.

At mile 20 you’ll encounter 1812′ Garvin Hill, the highest point in Hartland, and wind up over and around it before heading back south on more trails and gravel roads. This includes a long descent of Densmore Hill Road, part of Vermont 100 Endurance Race course, and then back up an equally long hill trail. At about 28 miles you come out onto Reeves Rd., where the 50K joins the 50M course. Travel 2 miles of fairly decent dirt road, passing Smoke Rise Farm.

After Greenall’s Aid Station at 31.9 mi there is a weaving route through the woods and meadows around Blood Hill, some steeps near the Vermont 100 Finish area meadow and a climb over a sizable hill.  The last 11 miles you’ll be seeing alternating road and trail.

After the Johnson’s Aid Station you enter Ascutney Trails Association trails, a year-round system of non-motorized recreational trails that is highly regarded as one of Vermont’s premier mountain bike networks. 
With one mile to go you’ll start crisscrossing Mt. Ascutney’s lower Alpine ski slopes on mostly grassy terrain, until you can look down at the finish line before negotiating the last few switchbacks.

Course Percentage Breakdown:
Total vertical is about 8,900’
Trails or jeep (unimproved) roads 67%
Gravel roads 30%
Pavement 3%

FYI-Those familiar with the Vermont 100 course, the 50 Mile is basically superimposed on the last third but actually shares less than 10 miles of it.