Explore this verdant part of the US on a 3-day bike tour
Visit this captivating state and cycle tour the best bits
Ride amongst the gorgeous scenery
Bike Vermont and soak up the natural splendor
Get stuck into some local delights, and some not-so-local treats!
Explore the charming outlets of Vermont

Vermont Bike Tour - Active Weekend Getaway

Duration
3 days
From
$2,599 USD

Cycle tour small-town Vermont, with the quintessential New England scenery of red barns, forested mountains, rustic farmland and river valleys all around. Bike through hillsides brimming with the red, orange and yellow hues of Stowe’s fall colors—one of the best foliage destinations to visit in the country. Discover incredible gourmet dishes and enjoy a plethora of local produce: fresh cheeses, apple cider, taffy and lattes infused with maple syrup. Experience the classic New England village of Stowe, walking from your characterful inn to local boutiques, country stores and galleries.

  • Category
    For Food Lovers
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    3 days
  • Culture Level
    Familiar
  • Skill Level
    2 - Novice
  • Activity Level
    2 - Moderate
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Mixed
  • Distance
    49.1 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    16.2 miles
operated by
Backroads
Best Price Guarantee
No booking or payment fees
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Quick Stats

  • Duration
    3 days
  • Main Destination
    Vermont
  • Distance
    49.1 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    16.2 miles
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Mixed

Route Map (click to view larger image)

Itinerary Details

  1. Day 1Bike through classic New England scenery

    On the first day of the trip, meet your Trip Leaders at 9:30 a.m. at Hotel Vermont, located at 41 Cherry Street in Burlington, Vermont. Please arrive dressed in your biking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack with your rain gear and anything else you may want for today's ride (your luggage will be transported to your first night's accommodations).

    Welcome to Vermont! After meeting in Burlington, shuttle to the small town of Richmond, where your Trip Leaders will fit your bike and give a brief talk on biking techniques and safety. Then set off on a warmup ride along the winding Winooski River on a short stretch of hard-packed gravel. Pass verdant mountains, maple sugar shacks and quaint country houses as you make your way through the charming town of Waterbury. Along the way you can hop off the bike to visit Ben & Jerry's factory on your own before the route continues to a scenic spot where a delicious picnic lunch awaits—with fresh apple cider donuts!

    Afterward, take a quick shuttle to the town or continue pedaling along quiet country roads toward Stowe's award-winning bike path. Ride along the idyllic landscape of wooded mountains, charming rural neighbourhoods and the rippling Little River before arriving at the quaint village of Stowe. It's a great day for perusing the local mercantiles, cideries and coffeeshops of Stowe or its famous brewery, the Alchemist.

    In the heart of Stowe Village is your cozy home for the weekend, Green Mountain Inn. Built in 1833 and listed in the National Register of Historic Place, the inn offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and classic elegance. Need a pick-me-up? Try a maple latte before dinner. Tonight we gather for a welcome reception followed by an incredible gourmet meal in town.

    Shuttle to Richmond Village: 30 minutes

    Biking Options
    Winooski Rover Ramble Route: 18mi* (29km) with 900ft (274m) elevation
    Vermonster Route: 27mi (43km) with 1,800ft (548m) elevation

    *with shuttle



    • 18 - 25.5 miles
    • Green Mountain Inn
    • Lunch and Dinner
  2. Day 2Craft beer, Green Mountain foothills and Lake Elmore

    After breakfast at the hotel, an incredible day of cycling begins with a pleasant ride through the Green Mountain foothills and river valleys to Lake Elmore State Park. Along the route you'll visit a local brewery where you can taste Vermont's vibrant craft beer culture and then set off along rolling country roads, making your way to a picturesque picnic on the shoreline of pristine Lake Elmore.

    As you pedal past bucolic backdrops of family-owned farms and forest-blanketed hills, don't forget to look up for views of towering Mount Mansfield (Vermont's highest peak) before returning to Stowe. You'll have time to relax and enjoy the pool at the hotel, book a spa appointment in town or spend more time exploring the shops in Stowe. We raise a toast to an incredible few days of cycling in Vermont before sitting down to a farewell dinner at a chef owned farm-to-table restaurant in town.

    Biking Options:
    Lake Elmore Route: 18 Miles* (29km) with 1,400ft (426m) elevation gain
    Lake Elmore Loop: 32 Miles (51km) with 2,000ft (610m) elevation gain
    *with shuttle

    • 18 - 31.7 miles
    • Green Mountain Inn
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  3. Day 3Bike path of Stowe, climb Smuggler's Notch, bike hillsides bursting with fall foliage

    On the last day of your Vermont fall adventure, fuel up with breakfast at the hotel and then hop on your bike for a spin on Stowe's bike path through the valley toward Stowe Mountain. For a challenge, ride up to the famed Smugglers Notch, a heart-pumping climb up steep terrain between Spruce Peak to the east and Mount Mansfield to the west—named for the notorious smugglers who used the area's caves and thick forest cover to transport illegal goods across the Canadian border. Or veer off on quiet country roads for a loop back towards town.

    There's time to freshen up at the hotel before we gather for lunch at the historic Trapp Family Lodge & Brewery. We then shuttle to Burlington, where the trip ends.

    Biking Options
    Stowe Bike Path: 12 Miles (19km) with 800ft (243m) elevation gain
    Stowe Town Loop: 16 Miles (26km) with 1,300ft (396m) elevation gain
    Smugglers' Notch: 22 Miles (35km) with 2,100ft (640m) elevation gain

    • 11.8 - 21.7 miles
    • Breakfast and Lunch