Vermont deserves it. The most beautiful six weeks in North America. Chances are you've heard of New England's fall foliage. Scientists have explained it. Poets have described it. Photographers have gotten rich off of it. But you have to experience it. The hues of red, yellow and orange. Pumpkins on the side of the road. Apple cider and cinnamon warming in rustic kitchens. You see, Vermont has endured four solid months of winter, the mud season that follows and a short hot summer. Vermont deserves this. So do you.
Day 1 Spectacular vistas of Lake Champlain and the valley aglow in fall foliage
reward your trek up maple-clad Mount Philo 
Descend for a walk on the lakeshore with Button Island and the Adirondack Mountains as your backdrop.
Days 2-3 Hike treelined paths past classic Vermont farms and lakes reflecting autumn's brilliant colors
Admire the Falls of Lana en route to Rattlesnake Cliffs, where jaw-dropping views of Lake Dunmore and the Adirondacks await Taste maple syrup and other local delights at the New England Maple Museum A stroll through the Merck Forest & Farmland Center reveals sweeping vistas of the Taconic Mountains Opt to explore century-old Hildene Mansion, a Georgian Revival beauty built by Abraham Lincoln's son.
Day 4 Gourmet cuisine at the Prince & the Pauper restaurant
Hike through a fern-laced hardwood forest below Mount Equinox to the Southern Vermont Art Center, with a contemporary sculpture garden and a botany trail.
Days 5-6 Picturesque Woodstock, a quintessential New England village
Watch for wild turkeys while striding on historic carriage roads in Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park Gentle switchbacks lead to the panorama atop Mount Tom - the patchwork of Woodstock unfurls below you while the Green Mountains rise in the distance Take a guided hike from the Trapp Family Lodge, an Austrian-style mountain retreat operated by the clan of The Sound of Music fame.
Trip Highlights
- Hike tranquil tree-lined paths past classic Vermont farms
- Taste maple syrup and other local delights
- Gourmet cuisine at the Prince & the Pauper restaurant
- Step on the famous Appalachian Trail surrounded by brilliant fall colors
- Picturesque Woodstock, a quintessential New England village
Premiere Inns
Strong House Inn (1 night): Built in the 1830s and perched on a ridge with views of the Green and Adirondack Mountains.
Reluctant Panther Inn (2 nights): A Zagat favorite, this sophisticated boutique hotel tucked in the mountains features a restaurant wine selection recognized by Wine Spectator.
Woodstock Inn & Resort (2 nights): An "imposing landmark resort hotel facing the village green in a beautifully preserved village noted for its restored 18th-century homes," according to Andrew Harper. (pool, spa, tennis, golf)
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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 2.0 | 500 | ||||||||
| 2 | 4.2 | 1100 | 5.5 | 600 | ||||||
| 3 | 2.0 | 100 | 5.5 | 700 | 7.1 | 1500 | ||||
| 4 | 3.0 | 300 | 5.0 | 1000 | ||||||
| 4.0 | 700 | |||||||||
| 5 | 3.6 | 400 | 5.8 | 800 | 7.1 | 1000 | ||||
| 6 | 5.0 | 600 | ||||||||
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 9/22-27 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1220 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/29-10/4 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1220 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/8-13 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1220 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
Walking among the colors of autumn in Vermont will warm the heart and comfort the soul. You'll hike through the stunning Green and White Mountains, past sparkling lakes, verdant evergreen forests and beautiful historic villages. We crest high points that offer jaw-dropping views of blazing oranges, golds and reds for as far as the eye can see. Premiere historic inns, impeccable service and incredible cuisine are a constant. It's the right place to be in autumn.- Regional Manager, Canada