Free, Purpose-Built and Adaptive-Friendly: Shaker Ridge Is Open

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On October 24, Shaker Ridge Trails in western Massachusetts opened its first 10 miles to the public. It’s free, it’s purpose-built for mountain bikes, and it was largely made possible by a private donor. The long-term plan calls for more than 100 miles.

by Robert Langer

What’s open right now

The new network sits on a 570-acre property on the line between Hancock and Lanesborough in the Berkshires, right next to Jiminy Peak. The first 10 miles include trails for beginner, intermediate and expert riders.

The basics for your first visit:

Free and open to the public.
Hours: dawn to dusk, weather permitting.
E-bikes: Class 1 (pedal assist only, no throttle) is allowed.
Parking: 411 Brodie Mountain Road in Hancock, about three-quarters of a mile east of the Jiminy Peak entrance.

Unlike many older New England networks, which grew out of hiking paths and old woods roads, Shaker Ridge is designed specifically for mountain biking: berms, jumps, technical sections and climbs built for bikes, not adapted from hiking trails.

The bigger plan

The first phase is meant to grow to 25 to 30 miles with more than 900 feet of elevation and a skills area. The long-term vision is a network of over 100 miles, partly by working with neighboring landowners.

One goal stands out: Shaker Ridge plans one of the first adaptive mountain bike trail networks in Massachusetts, built so riders using adaptive bikes can get out on real singletrack, too. A beginner-friendly, adaptive-friendly climbing trail is part of the first phase.

Purpose-built, free, and planned with adaptive riders in mind from day one. That’s not the norm in New England yet.

Who made it happen

The trails were designed by Pinnacle Trail Design, a husband-and-wife team from the region, Deanna and Keenan Smith, who had been pushing the idea for years. Construction started in spring 2025, with other professional builders joining in 2026.

The money came largely from private hands. According to regional reports, an anonymous donor bought the land for about $2 million and put up another $500,000 to start construction. The Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation added a $250,000 state grant in December 2024. Shaker Ridge partners with the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) and has been running volunteer build days.

A privately funded network that is free to the public is a model that has worked elsewhere in the US. It also raises a fair question for the future: who pays for upkeep once the donor money is spent? The project is still fundraising to finish phase one.

Should you make the trip?

For riders in the Northeast, the location is easy: the Berkshires are roughly three hours by car from both Boston and New York City. With 10 miles open, Shaker Ridge is a good half-day ride right now rather than a full weekend destination. That will change as the network grows.

Pair it with the area: the Jiminy Peak resort sits right next door, and Williamstown to the north has its own new trail project, Purple Valley Trails on Berlin Mountain. The northern Berkshires are clearly building toward a real riding region.

One practical note: it’s late fall in New England. “Weather permitting” will matter a lot over the next few months, so check the Shaker Ridge channels before you drive.

Adds up for a half-day ride now, especially for beginners and intermediate riders. Open question: how fast can the network grow from 10 miles to 30?

Have you ridden Shaker Ridge since it opened? Tell us in the comments below what you think of the first trails.

Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report