Vermont

Fall Colors in the Green Mountains

Price :

$3,499

Surface :

Paved & Bike Trail

Duration :

7 days

Support :

Inn to Inn

Difficulty :

Level 3

Ride with us through Vermont’s tranquil Northeast Kingdom, with its colorful mountain vistas and stunning views of sprawling Lake Champlain. From fiery-red hardwood canopies to expanses of golden yellow, you can’t beat Vermont in the autumn. What better way to go leaf peeping than by bicycle?

We’ll start in the cycling mecca of Burlington, where in addition to a bevy of cultural and historical sites, we’ll be treated to amazing views of the Adirondack Mountains looming to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. Moving eastward, we’ll enjoy vibrant colors and visit many quaint New England towns, including a quick trip into Woodsville, New Hampshire, and a stop in Montpelier, the capital of Vermont. Our trip ends back in Burlington, but not before we’ve experienced all the color and beauty that Vermont has to offer.

Select Dates

Photos by Dennis Coello | Greg Edwards | Charles Englefield

Dates

Price

Dates:

Sept 11 - Sept 17, 2027

Price:

$3,499

“This was my first ever tour. The experience was fantastic and the question is not will I do another tour, but what form it will take and for how long.” – Tour Participant

Itinerary

We’ll start our tour in historic Burlington, known to the locals as “B-Town.” With the magnificent backdrop of the Green Mountains to the east and the Adirondack Mountains to the west across the rippling waters of Lake Champlain, we’ll let Burlington treat us right before hitting the open road.

Our urban surroundings quickly give way to rolling farmland as we leave B-town. After riding through the calendar-perfect towns of Colchester and Milton, we’ll return to the shores of Lake Champlain and pass through pretty St. Albans Bay before leaving the shoreline to our home for the evening in St. Albans proper. Several short, steep climbs with around 2,100 feet of elevation gain for the day will get your climbing muscles warmed up of the rest of the route!

Shortly after leaving St. Albans, we’ll jump on the beautiful Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail on our way to Montgomery. Our route wanders through the farms, forests, fields, and wetlands of the Northeast Kingdom, with postcard-worthy scenes at every turn. We’ll roll through the towns of Enosburg and Montgomery, the home of Jay Cloud Cyclery for those needing supplies, before ending our day in Morrisville.

Today will be a lovely and languid ride primarily along the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, the longest rail trail in New England. This 45-mile day, with just over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, will be an almost entirely vehicle-free wooded delight.

We’ll rest our legs just a bit with a shorter day that ends across the Connecticut River in New Hampshire. The day starts off with a few good climbs before spending the rest of the ride on rolling hills. The last 13 miles along the Connecticut River are simply beautiful. As we roll into Woodsville, be sure to check out the Bath-Haverhill covered bridge.

Today, our wheels will take us through the heart of Vermont after spending the first 14 miles in New Hampshire. After crossing the Connecticut River, we’ll start a long, gradual 20-mile climb where we’ll gain 1,400 feet in elevation. Once arriving, we’ll have the opportunity to explore the state capital of Montpelier.

It’s a fairly quick ride back to Burlington through rolling hills and past plenty of silos and colorful mountains with only one significant climb around mile 29. Although the day’s ride will be over before you know it, our memories will stay with us long after our final pedal strokes.

Route

Additional Details

Start Location:

Burlington, VT

End Location:

Burlington, VT

Airport:

Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV)

Total Days:

Riding Days:

Layover Days:

Riders:

Miles:

271

Average Daily Mileage:

Accommodations:

Indoor (Inn to Inn)

Meals:

Indoor Dining

Difficulty:

Level 3

Technical Difficulty:

Easy

Terrain:

Hilly

Single Supplement:

$940

Know before you go

Information for eBike riders

Because every rider, e-bike, road, and elevation profile is different, it is ultimately up to the participant to judge best whether their battery will last through each tour day. We recommend using pedal assist in its lowest setting or off when not needed to maximize battery range. Bringing a second battery is also recommended. Remember, there is no vehicle support on our Inn to Inn trips, and you would need to carry the extra battery along with all of your other things.

Inn-to-Inn Reminder: No Vehicle Support

This Inn to Inn tour offers the simplicity of traveling without a support vehicle while still enjoying the comfort of indoor accommodations and restaurant meals. Please make sure your bike can comfortably carry your personal belongings for the day, including clothing, toiletries, and lunch. There is no vehicle support on this trip, so you’ll need to be prepared for variable weather and be self-sufficient with basic bike repairs and flat fixes.

Our Philosophy & What You Can Expect From Our Leaders

At our heart, we are a nonprofit committed to empowering and connecting people through the power of bicycle travel.

Adventure Cycling tours are not like other bike tours. We pride ourselves on being travelers, not tourists.

We believe that everyone joining our tours, including the leaders, are active participants who take joint ownership of group tasks like cooking, shopping, and maintaining group gear. This team mindset helps forge bonds that last for years (and tours) to come. Participants come for our routes but stay for our community.

We call the folks facilitating our tours leaders, not guides. Our leaders are not here to do everything for you; they are here to keep everyone on track and empower members of the group to step into ownership after they’ve adjusted to life on the road.

Our leaders commit to:

Establishing expectations of mutual respect and support among participants for the duration of the tour, so that all contribute equally
Creating a safe, welcoming space for cyclists from all walks of life
Keeping your tour on track while remaining flexible, so group members can shape their own experience
Pedaling alongside you, embracing the spirit and resilience of life on the bike

Your tour fees go directly towards covering the costs of your tour and supporting other programs our nonprofit puts forth into the world. The bonus of joining one of our tours is that you get to challenge yourself, have fun, and do good every time you ride with Adventure Cycling.