Vermont's Green Mountains
It’s time to get away, and why not do so by enjoying a long weekend exploring the lush Green Mountains of Vermont! Starting in the vibrant, artsy town of Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain, well known for the foot-traffic-only Church Street Marketplace, we’ll journey on a counterclockwise loop through the stunning mountains, rivers, and farmland of Vermont.
Along the way, we’ll get to sample Ben & Jerry’s ice cream directly from the source in Waterbury, and if the timing works out well we might even be able to take a tour of the factory or the Flavor Graveyard. As we make our way to our northeastern most part of the trip, we'll climb up and over Jay Peak, a stunning winter ski destination. Heading back west, we'll spend some time on the car-free crushed limestone of the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail bringing us back to Lake Champlain. On our final day, we'll ride parts of the Island Line bike trail, connecting the Hero Islands back to Burlington. After our long weekend, you’ll be excited to come back for more!
"The camraderie that developed between the riders over the course of the tour was great. It was good to ride with different people over the course of the tour!"
Day 1. Burlington to Waterbury, Vermont, 27 miles
After meeting our group and leader in the morning, we'll load up our trusty steeds and start our ride toward Waterbury, following the winding Winooski River east. Waterbury, home of Ben & Jerry's famous ice cream, will be a delicious place to stop and have a treat. Be sure to take a facility tour where all the great ice cream creations are made, as well as a visit to the Ben & Jerry's Flavor Graveyard!
Day 2. Waterbury to Jay, 50 miles
Today is sure to get your legs pumping as we make our way to Jay, Vermont, following the rolling terrain that is characteristic of the Green Mountains. We'll pass through winter sport destinations like Stowe, where you can check out the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, and Morristown, which sits in the shadows of Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in the state.
Day 3. Jay to Swanton, 45 miles
We'll start the morning riding to the summit of Jay Peak -- just over 2,200 feet above sea level and the highest point of our trip. The fantastic climb leads to a great reward -- a thrilling descent that will take us down, down, down to the much flatter terrain as we make our way back to Lake Champlain. We'll get to enjoy the car-free crushed limestone of the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, taking us through postcard-worthy views of agricultural Vermont. We'll overnight in Swanton, just a few miles from Maquam Bay.
Day 4. Swanton to Burlington, 52 miles
On our final day of the trip, we'll take the rolling, scenic way back to Burlington, crossing through the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge before connecting with the string of islands in Lake Champlain. Riding south, we'll pass through North Hero, Grand Isle, and South Hero before riding the Island Line Trail to connect back with the mainland, taking advantage of a unique ferry that will bridge the 200-foot gap in the Causeway known as "the Cut." What a long weekend it was, full of great climbs, descents, food, and people. We won't be able to wait until our next Vermont Adventure!
Know before you go
Information for eBike riders:
Because every rider, eBike, road condition, 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.
