Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
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Northern Vermont Trails Bike Tour
DURATION
6 Day(s)
DAILY BIKING
30 miles
TRIP DIFFICULTY
2-Easier to Intermediate
STARTING FROM
$2495
SINGLES ADD FROM
$500
Trip Overview
The evolution of bike routes, paths and rail-trails is enabling new ways for you to enjoy the sights and gorgeous landscape of Vermont. The routes that railroads historically took across Vermont followed scenic rivers, and our bike tour features miles of riding along the Winooski, Wells, Lamoille, Passumpsic and Missisquoi rivers.
Join us for a route that features two days on the Cross Vermont Trail, from Lake Champlain to the Connecticut River, traversing the state from west to east. Your return is along pieces of several trails, including the Lamoille Rail Trail and the Missisquoi Rail Trail. The final day of the tour features a ride over the causeway to Lake Champlain’s islands on the Island Line Rail Trail. Experience the beauty of northern Vermont on quiet rail-trail grades, with additional options to add miles on back roads.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
DAY 1 - Arrival Day
Distance: 25-45 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | Capitol Plaza
You begin on the Cross Vermont Trail route in Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain. Follow the excellent bike path network created by the communities of Burlington, South Burlington and Williston. Continue heading east and generally parallel to the Winooski River through Waterbury. In Richmond, Bolton, Waterbury and Middlesex your route is formed by a patchwork of recreational paths, quiet dirt roads, and scenic stretches of Vermont. You stop for lunch along the way, and we recommend Prohibition Pig. In Montpelier you join with the Central Vermont Bike Path that leads you to your inn for the evening — where you enjoy a group dinner together.
You begin on the Cross Vermont Trail route in Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain. Follow the excellent bike path network created by the communities of Burlington, South Burlington and Williston. Continue heading east and generally parallel to the Winooski River through Waterbury. In Richmond, Bolton, Waterbury and Middlesex your route is formed by a patchwork of recreational paths, quiet dirt roads, and scenic stretches of Vermont. You stop for lunch along the way, and we recommend Prohibition Pig. In Montpelier you join with the Central Vermont Bike Path that leads you to your inn for the evening — where you enjoy a group dinner together.
DAY 2 - Spectacular vistas and a climb
Distance: 16-40 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | Comfort Inn & Suites Burke Mountain
Today you continue to head east to the town of Marshfield, where you cross out of the Winooski watershed in Groton State Forest. Most riders shuttle out of town onto the hills above the river. Meeting with the headwaters of the Wells River in the State Forest, the trail continues along the length of the Wells River through the villages of Groton, South Ryegate, and Wells River to the east end at the Connecticut River. In East Montpelier, the route mostly follows open sections of path created from the historic railbed of the old Montpelier–Wells River Railroad. Dinner is together in St. Johnsbury.
Today you continue to head east to the town of Marshfield, where you cross out of the Winooski watershed in Groton State Forest. Most riders shuttle out of town onto the hills above the river. Meeting with the headwaters of the Wells River in the State Forest, the trail continues along the length of the Wells River through the villages of Groton, South Ryegate, and Wells River to the east end at the Connecticut River. In East Montpelier, the route mostly follows open sections of path created from the historic railbed of the old Montpelier–Wells River Railroad. Dinner is together in St. Johnsbury.
DAY 3 - Three Rivers Bike Path and the Lamoille Trail
Distance: 15-28 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | Brass Lantern Inn
Heading west out of St. Johnsbury, you join the Lamoille Trail. As you continue to Danville, the trail snakes in and out of wooded areas and farm fields and crosses over a few local roads. You encounter dramatic outcrops of bedrock — ledge cuts left over from the time of the railroad — as well as dense shaded forest and ferns in the warmer months. This section of the trail is loaded with a variety of scenic landscapes, including gorgeous wetlands and Joe’s Pond — a locally popular fishing, boating and residential area. The finished trail is 15 miles, then there is a 13- mile option on a beautiful road with good shoulder. You finish with a short transfer into Stowe. Dinner is on your own tonight in Stowe, VT.
Heading west out of St. Johnsbury, you join the Lamoille Trail. As you continue to Danville, the trail snakes in and out of wooded areas and farm fields and crosses over a few local roads. You encounter dramatic outcrops of bedrock — ledge cuts left over from the time of the railroad — as well as dense shaded forest and ferns in the warmer months. This section of the trail is loaded with a variety of scenic landscapes, including gorgeous wetlands and Joe’s Pond — a locally popular fishing, boating and residential area. The finished trail is 15 miles, then there is a 13- mile option on a beautiful road with good shoulder. You finish with a short transfer into Stowe. Dinner is on your own tonight in Stowe, VT.
DAY 4 - Lamoille Trail to Cambridge Greenway
Distance: 18-40 miles | Terrain: Easier | Phineas Swann Inn & Spa
Today, you finish the Lamoille Trail by continuing northwest past Ithiel Falls. You eventually reach Cambridge Junction and Cambridge, where a seamless connection to the Cambridge Greenway takes you toward Jeffersonville. As you enter Cambridge, you pass a restored train station that has been converted into a community playground with a train theme. This junction (Cambridge Junction) is marked by one of Vermont’s iconic covered bridges — the Cambridge Junction Bridge (also known as the Poland Covered Bridge), built in 1887. At the end of the trail, you can choose to enjoy the quaint backroads of the Northeast Kingdom as you head north to your quintessential Vermont bed and breakfast in Montgomery Center. You enjoy dinner as a group at the inn.
Today, you finish the Lamoille Trail by continuing northwest past Ithiel Falls. You eventually reach Cambridge Junction and Cambridge, where a seamless connection to the Cambridge Greenway takes you toward Jeffersonville. As you enter Cambridge, you pass a restored train station that has been converted into a community playground with a train theme. This junction (Cambridge Junction) is marked by one of Vermont’s iconic covered bridges — the Cambridge Junction Bridge (also known as the Poland Covered Bridge), built in 1887. At the end of the trail, you can choose to enjoy the quaint backroads of the Northeast Kingdom as you head north to your quintessential Vermont bed and breakfast in Montgomery Center. You enjoy dinner as a group at the inn.
DAY 5 - Missisquoi Rail Trail and Lake Champlain
Distance: 26-37 | Terrain: Easier | Hotel Vermont
Leave Montgomery and head north to enjoy the Missisquoi Valley Rail-Trail. It starts in Richford, VT and crosses mostly cornfields and pastureland for roughly the first 10 miles. These miles are known as Corn Alley, as the corn grows right next to the trail. Soon you arrive at Enosburg Falls, historically the center of the dairy industry in the area. The crushed-stone trail follows the railbed of Central Vermont Railroad’s Richford Branch. The line between Saint Albans and Richford was chartered as the Missisquoi Railroad in the late 1860s. You cross a bridge over the Missisquoi River at Sheldon Junction and head into the northern outskirts of Saint Albans. After a celebratory drink in Saint Albans, you shuttle back to Burlington to Hotel Vermont. Enjoy a farewell dinner as a group tonight in Burlington, VT.
Leave Montgomery and head north to enjoy the Missisquoi Valley Rail-Trail. It starts in Richford, VT and crosses mostly cornfields and pastureland for roughly the first 10 miles. These miles are known as Corn Alley, as the corn grows right next to the trail. Soon you arrive at Enosburg Falls, historically the center of the dairy industry in the area. The crushed-stone trail follows the railbed of Central Vermont Railroad’s Richford Branch. The line between Saint Albans and Richford was chartered as the Missisquoi Railroad in the late 1860s. You cross a bridge over the Missisquoi River at Sheldon Junction and head into the northern outskirts of Saint Albans. After a celebratory drink in Saint Albans, you shuttle back to Burlington to Hotel Vermont. Enjoy a farewell dinner as a group tonight in Burlington, VT.
DAY 6 - Departure Day
Distance: 22 miles | Terrain: Easier
Today you explore Grand Isle. From your hotel you wind your way along the lake on the beautiful Burlington Waterfront Bike Path. This Bike Path follows the Lake Champlain shoreline, taking you to the Island Line Bike Path, offering wonderful views of the lake and the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the city of Burlington to the east. From here a seasonal ferry takes you and your bicycle just a few hundred feet across a gap to South Hero Island. After a short exploration on the Island, you return to Burlington for showers and lunch.
Today you explore Grand Isle. From your hotel you wind your way along the lake on the beautiful Burlington Waterfront Bike Path. This Bike Path follows the Lake Champlain shoreline, taking you to the Island Line Bike Path, offering wonderful views of the lake and the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the city of Burlington to the east. From here a seasonal ferry takes you and your bicycle just a few hundred feet across a gap to South Hero Island. After a short exploration on the Island, you return to Burlington for showers and lunch.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners, 3 lunches, bicycle and helmet, professional guides, full van support, detailed maps and directions. Airfare is not included.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners, 3 lunches, bicycle and helmet, professional guides, full van support, detailed maps and directions. Airfare is not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Capitol Plaza
Located within the shadows of Montpelier’s Golden Dome, on historic State Street, lies the Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center.
This is an independent and family-owned hotel within Vermont’s capital city that strives to make each hotel guest feel like a long-lost friend.
This is an independent and family-owned hotel within Vermont’s capital city that strives to make each hotel guest feel like a long-lost friend.
Comfort Inn & Suites Burke Mountain
Enjoy the great location and amenities at this clean and comfortable hotel. Relax in the indoor heated pool and hot tub ... or in your comfy room or in the welcoming lobby.
Brass Lantern Inn
This inn, set on an acre and a half of outdoor space, with spectacular views of Mt. Mansfield, is carefully managed to provide all of the creature comforts of today within the unique character of a historic brick farm house built around 1835. Plus, the property features a carriage house build around 1810.
Phineas Swann Inn & Spa
At the Phineas Swann Inn & Spa you experience romantic accommodations furnished with fine antiques and four-poster beds with luxurious linens, yet you also have all the modern conveniences, such as flat-screen televisions, wi-fi, courtesy phones, and individual climate controls. Plus, free snacks and coffee in the lounge.
Hotel Vermont
Vermonters are known for being independent, together. And like Vermont, Hotel Vermont is full of compatible contradictions. Located in downtown Burlington near the shores of Lake Champlain, they’re rustic and modern, local and global, natural and sophisticated, hand wrought and high tech.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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