About Us
Franklin County Trails Alliance (FCTA), a chapter of VMBA, is a non-profit, volunteer organization formed in 2012 to represents the interests of mountain bikers and hikers in the St Albans, VT area. We support responsible trail use, perform maintenance on existing trails, and advocate for the creation, expansion, and access to local trails for non-motorized, off-road recreational use.
Our Vision:
We exist to bring joy and health through connected trails that are:
- Community centered bringing people together
- Volunteer inspired and supported
- Available to all to enjoy
- Sustainable for generations to come
We are a 501c3 volunteer run nonprofit organization originally founded in 2012, We changed our name from the FC Mountain Bike Club in 2023 to the Franklin County Trails Alliance to reflect our desire to encourage all forms of trail use. These trails are best when built sustainably using modern trail building knowledge and best practices and available across the seasons for multiple uses. We benefit from being part of VMBA a statewide organization which provides administrative support, insurance, best practices, training and a deep network of expertise.
Our vision is to connect our trail systems together and to our other recreation assets and local businesses. We believe that being outdoors resets our perspective and connects people and communities while benefiting our quality of life.
Our Activities:
- Designing, Building & Maintaining sustainable trails for all to use (hikers, bikers, snowshoers, trail workdays etc)
- Hosting group experiences outdoors on trails (Women’s Ride Group, Winter Carnival Snowshoe & Winter Fatbike, Franklin 40 Gravel Ride, Group Rides/Hikes, Naturalist Walks
- Educate trail users and work with trail managers (Ride with Gratitude, Signage, Bike Workshops- in partnership with Bootlegger’s)
- Introduce Youth to Trails (Hands- On Trail Work & science education with students, Partner on Youth MTB camp
- Plan for the Future (Master Forest Plans, Connecting Trail Systems using the Rail Trail as the “spine”.)
Support Local Businesses
Keep your business local
Build Community
Join our group of riders for all ages
Get Active
Enjoy the outdoors and increase your heart rate
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Help your enviroment and your community
Get Involved
All year long, FCTA is actively working to maintain and grow our trail network. We work to make your trail experience better every single day.
But we can’t do it alone. We need you! Help us make Franklin County better in the best way we know how – by making the outdoors more accessible to everyone.
We are constantly looking for members of our club and community to come out and help us in this endeavor. From trail grooming, to putting up new trail signs, spreading the word, everyone can help.
And if that’s not enough, there is usually pizza.
Volunteers are always welcome!
What We Do
Franklin County Trails Alliance (FCTA) works to maintain our current trail networks within Franklin County and ensure its use throughout the following generations.
Our hope is to continue expanding our networks by adding trails and new destinations. All of this can be achieved with your help.
Members are the life blood of our organization, everything we do is possible through your physical and financial efforts.
Together, we can promote healthy outdoor activities that bring the community together.