Welcome back to ‘Local Dirt’, our home for reporting our favorite local loops, class IV discoveries, and scenic dirt road cruises. Each edition provides adventure summaries, route variations, and mid-run photos to help inspire your next outing.

This month’s installment highlights the backroads between Lake Eligo and Caspian Lake. Starting from the Village, the route takes in stunning views of both lakes while tackling some hefty hills. This loop features Overlook Road, one of the longest continuous uphill stretches around, as well as a number of beautiful class IV sections. Trust us - the views are worth the climbs! Below we offer a summary of the route, followed by suggestions for course variations and future outings.

Distance: 12.0 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,298’

Max Elevation: 1,678’

Terrain: Hilly with one significant long climb; some mixed terrain with variable footing. 

Conditions: Warm with abundant sunshine. 

Map and Strava.

Route: From the Village, head south on South Craftsbury Road towards Blackbird Bistro. Continue running on South Craftsbury Road, passing the Bistro on your left, until you reach Lake Road at 1.4 miles. Turn left off of the paved South Craftsbury Road and onto the dirt of Lake Road. Continue running on Lake road with Lake Eligo on your right. At 2.3 miles, bear right to continue climbing on Overlook Road - this is the longest climb of the run!

For the longer route featured here, continue straight at the intersection with Lakeview Road at 3.6 miles.* At 4.4 miles, turn left onto West Cook Hill. West Cook Hill turns to class IV part way up the hill before reaching the highpoint of the run at 4.8 miles. At 5 miles, turn left onto Upper Edsal Hill Road to descend on another class IV section of road. Continue onto Edsal Hill Road, bearing right, before turning left onto Lake Shore Road at 5.9 miles.

At the four-way intersection, with Lakeview Road on the left and North Shore Road on the right, run straight to climb Bailey Hazen Road, also known as Townhighway 23. This road is a segment of the historic Bailey Hazen Military Road. Be sure to look back for one final view of Caspain Lake! 

Run along the high Bailey Hazen Road, enjoying the gradual downhill grade and views of the Lowell Mountains. At 8.2 miles, continue straight onto the class IV section of Richardson Road. There is no road sign here: as Bailey Hazen takes a sharp right to become Circus Road be sure to stay straight as you leave the smooth dirt road and embark on the Class IV. After a short section of class IV, the road becomes Whetstone Brook Road, at approximately 9 miles. Continue on Whetstone Brook until you reach the paved East Craftsbury Road at 9.5 miles. Turn left onto East Craftsbury for a short stretch of pavement before returning dirt as you straight at the intersection by the East Craftsbury Church at 9.8 miles. Run straight, passing South Albany Road on your right, to continue on Ketchum Hill Road. Descend Ketchum Hill Road, taking in more sweeping views of the Lowells and mountains beyond. 

At the base of Ketchum Hill, turn left onto Creek Road at 10.9 miles. Continue on Creek Road to return to the Village, turning left back onto South Craftsbury Road at 11.9 miles. Visit one of the local stores for a maple creemee, sea salt chocolate chunk cookie, or deli meal! 

Heidi’s Helpful Hints:

1. Don’t underestimate the climb as you start out on Lake Road. From the public beach parking on Lake Road to the top of West Cook Hill is 2.2 miles of nearly continuous uphill running, climbing 791’. 

2. *You can shorten this loop to 10.6 miles by turning left onto Lakeview Road to bypass Cook and Edsal Hill roads. At the four way intersection, turn left onto Bailey Hazen Road to run the final miles of the route. As the road name suggests, Lakeview offers a spectacular view of Caspian Lake! 

3. You can extend the loop to 13.5 miles by running over West Cook Hill and continuing straight onto Cook Hill Road rather than turning onto Upper Edsal Hill Road. At the end of Cook Hill Road, take a left to join Lake Shore Road and follow the loop from there. 

4. Park at local hotspot Blackbird Bistro and start from there. Then finish your run with a hearty local meal or summery beverage!

5. Park at the Lake Eligo public beach on Lake Road to finish your run off with a refreshing swim.