Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
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Vermont Gravel Traverse Bike Tour
Trip Overview
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The Vermont Gravel Traverse is a predominantly off-road route that traces a diagonal through the state of Vermont, from Canaan in the far northeast to Pownal in the far southwest. The route is modeled closely after the VTXL, which was inspired by ProTour rider Ted King and designed by Joe Cruz of bikepacking.com. At more than 340 miles in length (35+ miles longer than the VTXL), the Vermont Gravel Traverse has an impressive 33,500 of elevation gain — that’s an average of more than 4,800 ft. of climbing each day. The route travels along primarily smooth dirt and gravel roads … though there are a few sections of unmaintained Class IV roads that require an occasional hike-a-bike, even for the most technical cyclists.
This is a fantastic tour for those who appreciate remote landscapes, lots of climbing, lots of grin-inducing descents, and a comfy bed each night. Along the way, there are plenty of farmhouses, quaint general stores, swimming holes, and covered bridges to make you fall in love with the Green Mountain State.
The Vermont Gravel Traverse is one of the new type of tours offered by Discovery Bicycle Tours known as Adventure Tours. Guests provide their own bicycles and are responsible for their own basic bike maintenance, such as fixing flats and cleaning and lubing chains.
Read more about our Adventure Tours
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
The trip begins with an 8 a.m. Meet’n’Greet at the Courtyard by Marriott Albany (NY) Airport, where we load our bikes, bags and bodies into the van. Alternatively, feel free to meet us at the Discovery Bicycle Tours Headquarters in Woodstock, VT, where the van swings through at about 10:45 a.m. and departs at 11:00 a.m. Make the 90-minute drive to East Burke (VT), home of the Kingdom Trails network, which offers hundreds of miles of mountain biking opportunities. After arriving in East Burke, you have lunch and a brief orientation meeting. Take the afternoon and evening to explore the Kingdom Trails, soak in the outdoor jacuzzi, or take a dip in a swimming hole in Dish Mill Brook before officially beginning the ride on Day Two.
There’s no need to pack your bags this morning, as you spend a second night at The Village Inn. After a delicious breakfast, hop in the van and shuttle an hour to the north to officially begin the Vermont Gravel Traverse. Compared to the riding in the south, which entails lots of vigorous climbs, the riding in the north is relatively gentle with a few long climbs. Much of today is spent going through the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge on quiet backroads and snowmobile trails. At midday, stop off for lunch at one of the markets en route. At the end of the day, enjoy dinner together at one of the popular food trucks in East Burke.
Though today’s mileage is considerably shorter than yesterday’s, the average elevation per mile is greater. If you like, there’s time for one final loop on the Kingdom Trails before you begin today’s ride. Alternatively, you can hop on the trail right after breakfast, as there are a few non-biking diversions to enjoy along today’s route. Twenty miles into the ride, you come to the Great Vermont Corn Maze. Take a break from the saddle and navigate the largest maze in New England. At the end of the ride, detour on the LaMoille Valley Rail Trail, the longest rail trail in New England, to get to this evening’s lodging in St. Johnsbury. After a refreshing shower, consider a visit to the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium. The museum houses a collection of unique bug art and other natural curiosities. At the end of the day, have dinner together at a restaurant in town.
Make sure you start your morning with a hearty breakfast, as today is challenging. Not only is today’s ride the longest distance on the trip, but it’s also the highest in elevation gain. The first 10 miles of the day are a gradual climb as you head back along the LaMoille Valley Rail Trail to connect with the main route. Enjoy those easy miles because as you head further south, you encounter more steep ascents and descents. There is a one-mile detour to visit the iconic Vermont hilltop town of Peacham and get fresh baked goods at the Peacham Cafe. Cap your day with a rewarding stay at the lovely Lake Morey Resort. If you have energy left at the end of the ride, take a dip or enjoy a kayak or paddle board out on the lake. Or challenge a buddy to a game of billiards or ping pong. Tonight you dine with the group in the Lakeside Dining Room, where you can share your battle stories from the longest and most difficult day on the Vermont Gravel Traverse.
It’s another long and challenging day of riding as you work your way south to Woodstock. When you stop off in Sharon for lunch today, remember that you have already pedaled more than half of the miles for the day! Look for more small villages, New England-style churches from the early 1800s and a unique round barn along today's ride. Then enjoy one of the classic ridgeline gravel roads in Vermont as you descend Cloudland Road.Tonight you stay at The Shire, located along the beautiful Ottauquechee River in Woodstock. This adorable historic town is not only the home of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park, but it’s also the location of the Discovery Bicycle Tours headquarters. You’re on your own for dinner tonight, so pace the day and evening as you wish.
How are your legs holding up? Today has significant climbing and distance, but a bit less of both than on Day Two. As a reward, stop off — just before the end of today’s ride — for a refreshing dip in Lowell Lake. You spend tonight on Magic Mountain, where you can be grateful that it’s all downhill from here … err, in terms of fewer daily miles and less elevation gain. Dinner tonight is at the Blue Gentian Lodge.
Along today’s ride, take a refreshing soak at both Grout Pond AND the Roaring Branch River. Mid-ride, stop off at the Village Peddler and Chocolatorium and treat yourself to delicious fudge. You deserve it! Near the end of today’s ride, pass through Bennington College, before arriving at your last inn. Celebrate the last evening of our trip together at the Allegro Ristorante.
Today is your final day of riding. Continue along the route to the far southern tip of the state. After touching the Vermont border, cycle a few additional miles to end your ride in Williamstown, Massachusetts, home of Williams College. Congrats for cycling the Vermont Gravel Traverse! Once you share high fives, pile into the van and shuttle back to the start in Albany, New York.
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
7 nights’ lodging on the route (all indoors); 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners (you are on your own for 5 lunches and 3 dinners); prepackaged snacks to take along on the ride; two leaders; gear portage; van support for emergencies; and detailed Ride with GPS route directions. Airfare and bike are not included. WHAT TO BRING: You will need to supply your own bicycle. A gravel, cross, mountain, or touring bike will suffice, though we recommend a minimum tire size of 47mm (1.85”). If you need to rent a bicycle, contact Discovery Bicycle Tours for more information, availability and rental fee. You should carry your own pump, spares, and patch kit. Also have room on your bike to carry a lunch, snacks, water, and various clothing layers. You should be proficient in basic bike maintenance, including fixing flats and cleaning/oiling chains. There are bike shops along the route that can assist with more complex repairs, if necessary.
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
7 nights’ lodging on the route (all indoors); 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners (you are on your own for 5 lunches and 3 dinners); prepackaged snacks to take along on the ride; two leaders; gear portage; van support for emergencies; and detailed Ride with GPS route directions. Airfare and bike are not included. WHAT TO BRING: You will need to supply your own bicycle. A gravel, cross, mountain, or touring bike will suffice, though we recommend a minimum tire size of 47mm (1.85”). If you need to rent a bicycle, contact Discovery Bicycle Tours for more information, availability and rental fee. You should carry your own pump, spares, and patch kit. Also have room on your bike to carry a lunch, snacks, water, and various clothing layers. You should be proficient in basic bike maintenance, including fixing flats and cleaning/oiling chains. There are bike shops along the route that can assist with more complex repairs, if necessary.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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