Vermont Biking
Through Peaceful Southern Countryside in Autumn
With pastoral landscapes and seasonal showcases of color, this pocket of the Northeast is perfectly set to the speed of bicycle touring especially if you love to ride hills! Backroads takes you along quiet undulating roads, where miles of uninterrupted cycling unfold past the classic red barns, historic towns, covered bridges and peaceful lakes that dot quintessential New England countryside. Experience archetypal fall pleasures like feeling fallen leaves under your feet, seeing wagons full of pumpkins and squash, and tasting maple syrup and Vermont cheddar. Watch renowned glassblowers in action and learn the art of pressing cider. Come evening, relax in exquisite country inns with gracious hosts and savor remarkable cuisine inspired by the simple fresh flavors of autumn.
Trip Planning Links
- Ride beneath oak canopies, along picturesque rivers and by old red barns in Southern Vermont
- Taste maple syrup, cheese, beer and other local delights
- Gourmet cuisine and sophisticated country inns
- Woodstock, a quintessential New England village
- Rolling routes past grazing cows and quaint towns, mixed with serious ascents and rollicking downhills
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 chittenden
Meet in Burlington and shuttle to Brandon 
In the shadow of Vermont's Green Mountains, spin through a postcard-perfect landscape Stop at the New England Maple Museum and sample some of Vermont's sweetest products Challenge yourself on a ride to the Mountain Top Inn 7 Resort and be rewarded with stunning views.
Days 2-3 woodstock
Historic covered bridges and peaceful farmland highlight the invigorating route to picturesque Woodstock Spin along country roads, bright with fall colors and light on traffic Dine at the acclaimed Prince & the Pauper restaurant Ride through woods of birch, pine and maple across the Appalachian Trail to the village of Quechee Watch local glass artisans ply their trade at the Simon Pearce factory Follow the Ottaquechee River on a quiet dirt road Explore Woodstock's galleries and shops at your leisure.
Days 4-6 west townshend
Follow babbling Knapp Brook to the ski town of Ludlow Pedal the hill to the quaint town of Weston, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to the renowned Vermont Country Store Relax at our inn or ride to Grafton, a tranquil hamlet that embodies the New England spirit in its stately historic buildings, numerous art galleries and wonderful shops Sample incredible cheddar at the Grafton Cheese Factory Bike past orchards and family-owned maple syrup farms that tempt a visit Cycle along rural paved and dirt roads to Manchester and the historic Hildene Mansion, where we feast on a gourmet Backroads picnic.
- 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:
Martha's Vineyard Biking San Juan Islands Biking Maine BikingOther Eastern US Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Backroads provides the total package in every respect but the principal reason our family never considers any other outfit is because of the Backroads leaders. I marvel at your company's ability to have such consistency of superb staff. We started with you in 1998 and have taken now eight trips. Every one was great and every group leader was huge in making the trips memorable.- Anchorage, AK More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For biking tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Vermont Biking
INVITING ELEGANCE: Premiere Inns
The Mountain Top Inn & Resort
Chittenden (1 night) This understatedly elegant inn, nestled on a mountaintop amid 350 peaceful acres, welcomes you with splendid views, a massage service and cozy guest rooms with antiques and exposed-beam ceilings.
Woodstock Inn & Resort
Woodstock (2 nights) Located in the "prettiest small town in America," this inn exudes country sophistication and offers a full-service spa and fine dining.
Windham Hill Inn
West Townshend (2 nights) With beckoning fireplaces, comfy chairs and a brick-terraced heated pool, it's easy to relax at this tranquil retreat, built in 1823 amid 160 acres of forest and meadows.
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
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 12, 25 miles
- 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 4 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 41, 61 miles
- 1000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 31, 49 miles
- 700 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 26, 37, 54 miles
- 500 - 3400 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 31, 56 miles
- 1700 - 2400 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 16, 31 miles
- 1000 - 1900 feet elevation gain
Please note that routes on this trip feel more challenging than the mileage might suggest due to the terrain.