Take it all in slowly. The quiet capital of Montpelier. Rolling hills that feel like Tuscany. White steeples and red covered bridges. Golds, burgundies and oranges. Summer warmth or crisp air that hints at the coming season. The Greens. The Adirondacks. Champlain. Take in the character of Stowe, the collegiate atmosphere of Middlebury. Take in a local winery and an ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s. This is Northern Vermont. Savor it all. Get immersed in it. Even pour it on your pancakes.
Day 1 Views of Lake Champlain and the Green and Adirondack Mountains
Spin through Kinglands Bay State Park from Vergennes, Vermont’s tiniest town, where shops reside in riverside mills.
Day 2 Bike quiet roads past classic New England farms, maple syrup stands and covered bridges
Visit Morgan Horse Farm, where most Morgan horses are bred In charming Middlebury, the fresh gingersnaps at Otter Creek Bakery may coax you out of the unique stores and galleries - you won’t be alone.
Day 3 Incredible vistas and an exhilarating descent from Appalachian Gap
Traverse Vermont's Green Mountains on your way to the nation’s smallest capital.
Days 4-5 Stowe's idyllic surroundings and historic architecture
Pedal past perfectly manicured farms, wooded mountains and pastures dotted with black-and-white Holstein cows - sugarhouse samples offer a boost en route Cherry Garcia or Chunky Monkey? Try 'em both at Ben & Jerry’s famous ice creamery Check out the superb pieces at Little River Hot Glass Studio Explore Stowe Village or opt to golf, horseback ride or indulge in a massage.
Day 6 Stop at a local winery to taste premier vintages and hard cider
As you ride through rolling farmland, feast your eyes on endless forests and the winding Lamoille River.
Trip Highlights
- Bike quiet roads past classic New England farms, maple syrup stands and covered bridges
- Stowe’s idyllic surroundings and historic architecture
- Incredible vistas and an exhilarating descent from Appalachian Gap
- Stop at a local winery to sample premier vintages and hard cider
- Views of Lake Champlain and the Green and Adirondack Mountains
Casual Inns
Strong House Inn (2 nights): Built in the 1830s and perched on a ridge with views of the Green and Adirondack Mountains.
Inn at Montpelier (1 night): Once home to founders of Montpelier, this 1800s inn features classic Federal architecture with an extravagant wraparound porch.
Green Mountain Inn (2 nights): A private residence in 1833 and now tastefully restored, this historic inn was once a stagecoach stop. (pool)
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 14 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 30, 39, 52 miles
- 1000 - 1600 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 19, 39, 52 miles
- 1550 - 3600 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 19, 46, 69 miles
- 1700 - 3700 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 10, 23 miles
- 800 - 1650 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 20, 33, 40 miles
- 1200 feet elevation gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests
and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the
next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours.
So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly
what and how much you want to do.| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 7/1-6Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1310 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/15-20Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1310 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/29-8/3Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1310 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/9-14Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1310 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/16-21Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1310 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/23-28Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1310 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/30-10/5Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1310 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/7-12Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1310 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
I have looked forward to bicycling in Vermont in the fall for many years. This trip was everything I had hoped for! We had great leaders, fun fellow travelers, good weather, beautiful scenery and lots of cycling. I had a wonderful time.- Milliken, CO
The Northern Vermont Bike Trip was the BEST Vacation I have ever taken! Our leaders, were the BEST! I just really loved this vacation! It was so relaxing. Katie and Melissa were always there to assistance us if needed anything and were always helpful when I needed that little extra lift to the top of the next hill. They were always smiling throughout the whole trip. This was my first Backroads trip and it sure won't be my last. It is a wonderful way to travel and see the sites and meet so many wonderful people and get exercise all at the same time.- Arlington, WA
We had a wonderful experience. It was our first vacation of this kind and it exceeded our expectations. Great fun, and certainly challenging and healthy exercise. Overall, I think my wife and I did okay for a couple of 59-year-olds. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime for us, and I'd recommend it to anyone.- Rolling Hills Estates, CA
This was a lovely trip, made more so by the leaders and the other guests. The routes that we biked were great, scenic with generally little traffic. I knew that the hills would be a problem for me, but I do know how to use the van. And when the leaders saw that I was flagging, they came back to make sure that I was OK - I knew the van was always there when I needed it.- Washington, DC
Totally met my desire for an active vacation that was out of the ordinary.- Springfield, IL
The Northern Vermont Bike Trip was the BEST Vacation I have ever taken! Our leaders, were the BEST! I just really loved this vacation! It was so relaxing. Katie and Melissa were always there to assistance us if needed anything and were always helpful when I needed that little extra lift to the top of the next hill. They were always smiling throughout the whole trip. This was my first Backroads trip and it sure won't be my last. It is a wonderful way to travel and see the sites and meet so many wonderful people and get exercise all at the same time.- Arlington, WA
I'd have to say I really didn't expect such a well organized trip. I thought I'd just have some time away from the office grind, riding bikes enjoying the Vermont landscape with some friends. I was immediately impressed upon meeting the leaders at the hotel. They arrived with great enthusiasm with all the bikes and equipment ready to go. I believe this enthusiasm was contagious among the entire group. Also their attention to details and planning was absolutely fantastic. This really made this trip special for me.- Redmond, WA