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Vermont Biking

Vermont Biking

Seduction by scenery is inevitable while biking through Vermont’s wooded hills and past whitewashed Colonial homes, steepled churches and peaceful farmsteads. We highlight the region’s varied landscape and slow-paced attitude, mixing vigorous routes with carefree spins beneath a canopy of colorful foliage. Explore the Champlain Valley, cross the green mountains, and pedal through the nation’s smallest state capital and into bustling Stowe. Swap tales with friendly locals on the porch of an old general store and treat yourself to a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Whether your passion is biking or scenery - or both! - enjoy the ride and surrender to pure New England charm and hospitality. 

Days 1-2 vergennes

Meet in Burlington Fuel up with a picnic in tiny Vergennes, Vermont’s oldest town where shops are housed in riverside mills  Spin through Kingsland Bay State Park, with views of the Green and Adirondack Mountains Pedal through the pastoral landscape on quiet roads with rolling hills Stop in at Morgan Horse Farm, which claims to have bred over 80 percent of this versatile breed  Explore the charming town of Middlebury, where you can venture into unique stores and galleries, hit the Otter Creek Bakery for a maple latte or homemade gingersnaps, and ride through a covered bridge.

Day 3 montpelier

En route to Montpelier, the nation’s smallest capital, take a break from your bike at a sugarhouse to sample some of Vermont’s famous maple syrup Follow hilly terrain just north of Green Mountain National Forest up and over Appalachian Gap, taking in spectacular views  Relax on the Colonial-style wraparound porch of our inn - a perfect spot to linger and shoot the breeze.

Days 4-6 stowe

Pedal past perfectly manicured farms, wooded mountains and pastures dotted with black-and-white Holstein cows to Stowe Stop for a sip at Cold Hollow Cider Mill and visit Ben & Jerry’s famous ice creamery  Take a self-guided history tour of Stowe Village, finding several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places Play golf, go horseback riding or pamper yourself with a massage   Ride through rolling farmland, feasting your eyes on memorable vistas of endless forests and the winding Lamoille River. 

big map

HISTORIC GEMS: Casual Inns

Strong House Inn (2 nights): Built in the 1830s, this comfortable inn is perched on a ridge with views of both the Green and Adirondack Mountains.

Inn at Montpelier (1 night): Set in the heart of the historic district, this 19th-century manor features antique-filled guest rooms and a grand wraparound porch complete with inviting Adirondack chairs.

Green Mountain Inn (2 nights): Welcoming travelers since the 1800s, it has a perfect location in the heart of town.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

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
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

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.
Barb Tokunaga - 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.
Patty Garrett - 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.
George Bettge - 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.
Marvene Horwitz - Washington, DC

Totally met my desire for an active vacation that was out of the ordinary.
Vicky Rittenhouse - 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.
Patty Garrett - 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.
Terry Lavin - Redmond, WA