Vermont Bicycle Tour: Stowe Fall Foliage

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Maple Farm Views

   Meet your tour leaders at Burlington’s sister properties of Hotel Vermont and the Courtyard Burlington Harbor for the twenty-minute transfer to the tour start at the tour operator's office. Following a bike fitting and route review, ride south along a lightly traveled route to Vergennes where you can view the waterfalls and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on the town green.

   Continue through rolling farmland offering beautiful views extending west to the Adirondack Mountains in New York and east to Vermont’s Green Mountains. As you enter the town of Middlebury, pass through a two-lane covered bridge—one of only six remaining in the entire US. Continue east to the Waybury Inn, a classic Vermont country inn, surrounded by huge maple trees. Relax on the patio, in the gardens, or –in cooler weather –enjoy a hot drink in the inn’s cozy pub.The Waybury Inn holds the distinction of being featured for years in the opening scene of the 1980s TV sitcom Newhart. Enjoy a delicious dinner this evening in the inn’s dining room.

   Cycling Options: 16 and 36 miles (25 and 58 km)
   

   • 15.5 miles
   • The Waybury Inn, East Middlebury
   • Lunch and Dinner

   • 

     Waybury Inn, East Middlebury

     This quintessential Vermont country inn sits at the base of the Green Mountains across from a beautiful stream. Restaurant and cozy pub on site

   • 

     Waybury Inn, East Middlebury

     This quintessential Vermont country inn sits at the base of the Green Mountains across from a beautiful stream. Restaurant and cozy pub on site

2. Day 2Lake Dunmore and the Falls of Lana

   This morning’s ride winds through rural valley farmland and one of the longest covered bridges in Vermont. After stopping to admire the bridge, continue along lightly traveled roads that offer stunning views of the Green Mountains. Pass through small villages as you make your way to the town of Brandon where history buffs will enjoy a visit to the Brandon Museum located in the house where Stephen A. Douglas was born. Here, you can learn more about this 19th century statesman and how the Civil War affected this small Vermont town. You might also enjoy a visit to the artist’s cooperative which features a variety of local works. Your tour leaders will host a delicious picnic lunch on the shores of Lake Dunmore situated at the edge of the Green Mountains. The “Greens” as they are known locally, are part of the northern section of the Appalachian Mountains and the icons after which Vermont–the Green Mountain state–is named.

   Enjoy the short walk to the Falls of Lana or continue on the climb to Silver Lake for expansive views over Lake Dunmore on hikes that begin and end at the picnic location.Those up for a challenge can tackle the climb up Middlebury Gap before descending back to the Waybury Inn. Join your fellow travelers by the fire on the patio before dinner this evening in the inn’s dining room.

   Cycling Options: 30, 36, and 53 miles (48, 58, and 85 km)
   

   Hiking Option: 1 to 3 miles round-trip (1.6 to 4.8 km)
   

   • 29.8 miles
   • The Waybury Inn, East Middlebury
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Waybury Inn, East Middlebury

     This quintessential Vermont country inn sits at the base of the Green Mountains across from a beautiful stream. Restaurant and cozy pub on site

   • 

     Waybury Inn, East Middlebury

     This quintessential Vermont country inn sits at the base of the Green Mountains across from a beautiful stream. Restaurant and cozy pub on site

3. Day 3Justin Morgan Had a Horse

   Begin the day with a visit to the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm.This architecturally stunning property was created in the late 1800s by Colonel Joseph Battell who began breeding Morgans on this very farm in an effort to preserve the pedigree of America’s first–and arguably finest –breed of horse. Meet some of the breed’s finest lineage during a private guided tour of the property. Cycle across a bridge over a lovely section of Vermont’s longest river—the Otter Creek—and continue past orchards and picturesque farms. Pop in for a stop in the kitchen shop of a fabulous local chocolatier and sample delicious gourmet chocolate then visit a local orchard for the seasonal specialty of apple cider and donuts.

   Your destination today is Shelburne Farms, a magnificent 1,400-acre estate farm designed by Frederick Law Olmstead during the late 19th century. This majestic property has been maintained and restored to its original splendor by the non-profit educational foundation of original owners, William and Lila Vanderbilt Webb. Stroll through the Farm Barn then wander through the formal gardens overlooking the lake before a delicious farm-to-table dinner at the inn. The inn’s restaurant features fresh products harvested from the farm and other nearby specialty farms who focus on sustainability. The Inn’s location, on a hillside point facing west with views over Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, features sunsets that are known to be stunning.

   Cycling Options: 37 and 47 miles (59 and 75 km)
   

   • 36.7 miles
   • The Inn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne
   • Breakfast and Dinner

   • 

     The Inn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne

     This majestic property has been maintained and restored since the 19th century. The Inn’s restaurant features fresh products harvested from the Farm and other nearby farms

   • 

     The Inn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne

     This majestic property has been maintained and restored since the 19th century. The Inn’s restaurant features fresh products harvested from the Farm and other nearby farms

4. Day 4Shelburne to Stowe

   Today’s ride winds its way through farmland and small villages to the town of Stowe, also known as the ski capital of the East. Visit the Old Round Church, a sixteen-sided round structure built in 1813 and considered to be one of the first community churches in the country. Continue east along the Winooski River—the largest tributary watershed flowing into Lake Champlain.10,000 years ago, the land along the banks of the river was like Arctic tundra and hunters tracked caribou, wooly mammoths, and mastodons. Following the Revolutionary War, saw mills built here led to the region’s emergence as the third most important lumber market in the country. As the timber business declined hundreds of sheep farms lined the valley. Hop off your bike in the town of Waterbury to visit Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Ben & Jerry’s, Prohibition Pig, or the popular Craft Beer Cellar before heading to Stowe.

   Topnotch Resort and Spa, one of Stowe’s and New England’s finest luxury resorts, will be your home for the next two evenings. Topnotch is a small, upscale resort nestled on a hillside overlooking Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest mountain. Relax and enjoy the heated outdoor pool, sauna and beautiful views of the mountains. Massage and spa treatments should be arranged in advance of your arrival. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.

   Cycling Options: 35, 50, and 64 miles (56, 80 and 103 km)
   

   • 34.8 miles
   • Topnotch Resort and Spa, Stowe
   • Breakfast

   • 

     Topnotch Resort & Spa

     Majestic boutique hotel and spa nestled on 120 acres. Pool, sauna, full-service spa facility, restaurant, bistro/bar, bocce

   • 

     Topnotch Resort & Spa

     Majestic boutique hotel and spa nestled on 120 acres. Pool, sauna, full-service spa facility, restaurant, bistro/bar, bocce

   • 

     Topnotch Resort & Spa

     Majestic boutique hotel and spa nestled on 120 acres. Pool, sauna, full-service spa facility, restaurant, bistro/bar, bocce

5. Day 5Smuggler’s Notch Loop

   Today’s ride offers the greatest challenge of the week or you can opt for a more leisurely day at Topnotch where you might enjoy a walk along the river or indulge in world-class spa services.The notch through the Green Mountains was named for smugglers who, more than two centuries ago,used its caves and heavily forested slopes to hide illicit goods destined for Canada.These same caves were used in the reverse direction during the 1920s Prohibition era.Today, the narrow winding road that traverses Smuggler’s Notch is passable only between April and November. It’s a tough climb but the foliage lining the route is spectacular against the granite cliffs,and the nearly seven-mile downhill run on the opposite side is well worth the effort.

   In the village of Jeffersonville, you can visit award-winning Smuggler’s Notch Distillery or continue to Johnson for an array of woolens made at a family run mill operating since1842. Enjoy a section of the newly-established Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and stop for a sample of local craft beer at Lost Nation Brewing before finishing the grand loop back to Topnotch.This evening, a final dinner with fellow travelers overlooks the mountains from the resort’s signature restaurant, a local favorite gathering spot.

   Cycling Options: 18, 42, and 48 miles (29, 67, and 77 km)
   

   • 18 miles
   • Topnotch Resort and Spa, Stowe
   • Breakfast and Dinner

   • 

     Topnotch Resort & Spa

     Majestic boutique hotel and spa nestled on 120 acres. Pool, sauna, full-service spa facility, restaurant, bistro/bar, bocce

   • 

     Topnotch Resort & Spa

     Majestic boutique hotel and spa nestled on 120 acres. Pool, sauna, full-service spa facility, restaurant, bistro/bar, bocce

   • 

     Topnotch Resort & Spa

     Majestic boutique hotel and spa nestled on 120 acres. Pool, sauna, full-service spa facility, restaurant, bistro/bar, bocce

6. Day 6Stowe Loop

   Follow the bike path along the Little River from Topnotch to the tiny hamlet of Moscow where you can visit a local glass blowing studio. Watch as fiery hot molten glass is shaped into uniquely beautiful works of art. Michael Trimpol is an internationally renowned artist who began his career with a focus in stained glass before developing a love for blowing glass. Continue along scenic back roads past one of Vermont’s historic –and reputedly haunted –covered bridges to the village of Stowe. Peruse the shops in town or continue cycling a loop north through farmland before returning to the village for lunch.

   The Vermont Ski Museum, located in the Old Town Hall built in 1818, is full of historic skis, photographs, and artwork chronicling the evolution of winter sports in Vermont. Old replica ski posters and home decor are available for sale. The Stowe Craft Gallery is just across the road from the museum and features a wide variety of works from local artists. Wind your way along the bike path that follows the river as you make your way back to Topnotch where showers will be available prior to transfer to Burlington or to the tour operator's office for those who parked at there.
   

   • 16.8 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch