Vermont Biking
New England's Autumn Jewel
Seduction by scenery is inevitable while biking through Vermont’s wooded hills and past whitewashed Colonial homes, steepled churches and peaceful farmsteads. We highlight the region’s varied landscape and slow-paced attitude, mixing vigorous routes with carefree spins beneath a canopy of colorful foliage. Explore the Champlain Valley, cross the green mountains, and pedal through the nation’s smallest state capital and into bustling Stowe. Swap tales with friendly locals on the porch of an old general store and treat yourself to a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Whether your passion is biking or scenery - or both! - enjoy the ride and surrender to pure New England charm and hospitality.
Trip Planning Links
- Bike quiet roads past classic New England farms, maple syrup stands and covered bridges
- Charming Stowe, with a white-steepled church and a historic one-room schoolhouse
- Incredible vistas and an exhilarating descent from Appalachian Gap
- Stop at a local winery to sample premier vintages and hard cider
- Views of Lake Champlain and the Green and Adirondack Mountains
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 vergennes
Meet in Burlington 
Fuel up with a picnic in tiny Vergennes, Vermont’s oldest town where shops are housed in riverside mills 
Spin through Kinglands Bay State Park, with views of the Green and Adirondack Mountains Pedal through the pastoral landscape on quiet roads with rolling hills Stop in at Morgan Horse Farm, which claims to have bred over 80 percent of this versatile breed Explore the charming town of Middlebury, where you can venture into unique stores and galleries, hit the Otter Creek Bakery for a maple latte or homemade gingersnaps, and ride through a covered bridge.
Day 3 montpelier
En route to Montpelier, the nation’s smallest capital, take a break from your bike at a sugarhouse to sample some of Vermont’s famous maple syrup Follow hilly terrain just north of Green Mountain National Forest up and over Appalachian Gap, taking in spectacular views Relax on the Colonial-style wraparound porch of our inn - a perfect spot to linger and shoot the breeze.
Days 4-6 stowe
Pedal past perfectly manicured farms, wooded mountains and pastures dotted with black-and-white Holstein cows to Stowe Stop for a sip at Cold Hollow Cider Mill and visit Ben & Jerry’s famous ice creamery Take a self-guided history tour of Stowe Village, finding several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places Play golf, go horseback riding or pamper yourself with a massage Ride through rolling farmland, feasting your eyes on memorable vistas of endless forests and the winding Lamoille River.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Maine Biking Martha's Vineyard Biking San Juan Islands BikingOther Eastern US Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
I have looked forward to bicycling in Vermont in the fall for many years. This trip was everything I had hoped for! We had great leaders, fun fellow travelers, good weather, beautiful scenery and lots of cycling. I had a wonderful time.- Milliken, CO More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Vermont Biking
HISTORIC GEMS: Casual Inns
Strong House Inn
Vergennes (2 nights) Built in the 1830s, this comfortable inn is perched on a ridge with views of both the Green and Adirondack Mountains.
Inn at Montpelier
Montpelier (1 night) Set in the heart of the historic district, this 19th-century manor features antique-filled guest rooms and a grand wraparound porch complete with inviting Adirondack chairs.
Green Mountain Inn
Stowe (2 nights) Welcoming travelers since the 1800s, it has a perfect location in the heart of town.
Vermont Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
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.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 14 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 20, 29, 51 miles
- 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 19, 39, 52 miles
- 1000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 22, 36, 56 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 21 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 17, 29, 36 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain