NEWPORT — Just a few short steps across a wooden bridge from the bike path and into the Primeau Woods as they are sometimes called, the Memphremagog Ski Touring Foundation (MSTF) trails are open for activities throughout the year.
These 100 acres located between the Beebe Spur Rail Trail and Darling Hill Road, provide a four season playground for hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, or just a quick get away from the hustle and bustle for a quiet walk in nature.
They are only minutes from downtown Newport or Derby but create a feeling of being a million miles away, and are easily reached when parking at North Country Hospital or MSTF parking off Darling Hill Road.
The trails are carefully groomed in winter with cross country ski tracks and during this past summer a team of local volunteers have been cutting new single track trails for mountain bikes, maintaining existing multi use trails, building bridges, and doing what needs to be done to keep the woods in top condition for the community that enjoys them.
Recently the trails have been host to several large-scale, regional cross country meets as the home ‘track’ of North Country High School.
During the winter months the trails are also used for North Country High School ski team.
The Memphremagog Ski Touring Foundation trails, although on privately owned property, have been generously opened up for the community, however winter use of these trails requires MSTF membership.
Maintaining and grooming them is expensive so every year MSTF holds a membership drive. For more information visit mstf.net or email [email protected].
