The Best Of Fall Foliage… (trip)
The Best Of Fall Foliage Vermont Hiking Trip
- Airport near Vermont, United States
- Active & Adventure
“"You have given me my very best travel experience! Thank you from the bottom of my sore feet (just kidding… ”
| Contact provider for price | 7 Days | Year-round |
| Boutique accommodations | Exertion level: 5 | |
| Operator: Bredeson Outdoor Adventures | 10 people max | |
The first part of our trip will be based in Stowe, the classically charming village in the Green Mountains with Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield. Unlike most of Vermont, Stowe’s history does not center exclusively around farming and lumber. By the mid-1800’s Stowe had developed into a famous summer resort due to its transportation connections and spectacular scenery. In fact, the Toll Road to the Top of Mount Mansfield was finished in 1870. Stowe can be considered the birthplace of downhill skiing in the U.S., and its historic trails, cut in Stowe’s Ranch Valley in the 1930’s, provide some great walking opportunities.
After spending three nights in Stowe we’ll transfer to Goshen, Vermont in the heart of the Moosalamoo area of the Green Mountain National Forest. We’ll explore “Robert Frost Country” during the day, with outings to Frost’s cabin, Silver Lake, and Rattlesnake Cliffs, where we’ll enjoy Adirondack Mountain views. We’ll return nights to be pampered by the gourmet fare, wood fired sauna and unpretentious New England charm of our inn.
Bredeson Outdoor Adventures will share our passion for the Green Mountain State, along with verses from our dog-eared copy of Robert Frost’s poetry, during this memorable trip.
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Locations visited/nearby
Vermont, United States
1 testimonial about this trip
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Reviewer: Susan North
located in
Buffalo,
Minnesota
USA
"You have given me my very best travel experience! Thank you from the bottom of my sore feet (just kidding about the feet.) You should be elected Chairperson of the Promote Vermont Council -- better yet -- governor of the state. I found out I may be able to "adopt a moose" through the Moosalamoo Preservation Association. I am going to do so and name him/her after you."
3 testimonials about the provider, Bredeson Outdoor Adventures:
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Reviewer: Kate Johnson
located in
Norwalk,
Connecticut
USA
"Our trip to Cinque Terre was the best trip we have ever taken. The beauty of the location was certainly a factor, but, in retrospect,Deb organized and designed a week that far exceeded our expectations. Once we became part of the trip, we immediately began to receive pertinent information-"walk,bike,lift weights every day"-not quite, but she was getting us in shape for the trip that lay ahead.The detailed list of items that we would need was given to us with plenty of time to acquire them.The itinerary provided us an exact time table from landing in Europe to heading back out. Where and when we would be staying, eating, hiking, railroading,ferrying, having options-nothing was missed. Deb's attention to every detail of the organization and flow was flawless. Beyond that, Deb's knowledge of the area and her sense of humor -we would follow her anywhere. With enormous appreciation." Guided CInque Terre hiking trip
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Reviewer: Steve Ruggiero
located in
Bainbridge Island,
Washington
USA
"Thank you again for your wonderful assistance and guidance before, during and after our trip through the Alps this summer. Your detailed and hands on knowledge of the locales, suitability of the intended hikes for our family and an understanding of our exact requirements were spot on. With two little boys in tow and an ambitious schedule spread out over three areas in two weeks, we needed to have the details in hand with no worries. You gave us not only what we asked for but also suitable alternatives to be able to make decisions on the fly if schedules, enthusiasm or weather changed. Your ability to listen and then tailor an appropriate schedule is the mark of a true professional who enjoys what they do. Your passion for it shows and we would have no hesitation to use your services in the future or happily endorse your services to others." Self-guided family trip in Chamonix, Zermatt and Wengen (French and Swiss Alps)
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Reviewer: Mary Pepper
located in
Ames,
Iowa
USA
The gals were all absolutely delighted with the trip. I think you just blew their minds with the places you chose and the level of professionalism you displayed as our guide. We would all go anywhere you would like and I am anxious to plan more trips with you...I feel certain other of my friends and friends of all the Leaf Ladies are going to be anxious to join any trip in which you are involved as our guide/friend. I am so thankful I had the good fortune to travel with you and you were willing to take us on. You listened to what I wanted for the group and were so attentive to the needs of all of us. We got to see what the true Vermont is like through the eyes of someone who really loves it. It couldn't have been better. I heard from talking with others at the airports that they felt the same and we all really thank you for it." Guided Vermont hiking trip
Special information
- Family oriented trip.
- Offers some women-only departures.
Itinerary
Day 1 Stowe - Sunset Hill Walk, Trip Orientation and Welcome Dinner2 miles, moderate
We’ll greet you at 1:00 p.m. at the Burlington, Vermont Airport and transfer to Stowe by private van. We’ll have a warm-up walk right from the center of Stowe up Sunset Hill for a marvelous view of the village, a perfect introduction to our Green Mountain week. We’ll enjoy a welcome drink (compliments of Bredeson Outdoor Adventures) and orientation. Our dinner together this evening will be a convivial, icebreaking taco party in a gourmet Mexican restaurant in Stowe.
Overnight: Brass Lantern Inn, Stowe
Day 2 : Stowe – Mount Mansfield and Smuggler’s Notch
3-5 miles, moderate to challenging
Early risers will enjoy a walk on the award winning Rec (Recreation) Path that meanders along a river from the Village. After a hearty hot breakfast we’ll take an historic journey today up the Mount Mansfield Toll Road to the visitor’s center at the top of the Mountain. 19th Century visitors changed from coach to horse part-way up, but our van will make the journey all the way to the top. We’ll hike in this arctic landscape along the ridgeline on part of Vermont’s famous Canada-to-Massachusetts Long Trail from the Nose to the Chin of Mount Mansfield and back. The views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks to the west and the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the east are breathtaking. After our hike we’ll take another drive back in time to Smuggler’s Notch, the road between Sterling Peak and Mount Mansfield. The huge boulders next to the road make this drive a dramatic adventure and you can easily imagine the early 19th Century and Prohibition era smugglers sneaking their wares to and from Canada. This afternoon you’ll have a chance to explore Stowe village on your own, or, if you wish, go for another walk. We recommend a visit to the Vermont Ski Museum right on the main street in Stowe for a flavor of Stowe’s rich and nostalgic winter sports history. Lunch is on your own. Dinner tonight will hopefully be at a classic New England church supper or at one of Stowe's fun and charming restaurants.
Overnight: Brass Lantern Inn, Stowe
Day 3 : Stowe – Little River State Park
3 miles, moderate
Little River was once a settlement, home to 50 pioneer families in the late 1700s. This evocative woodland walk takes you past remnants of old town buildings, a saw mill, and cemeteries; all are evidence of a once-thriving community. Following a picnic lunch we’ll return to Stowe for a visit to the Von Trapp Family Lodge. We’ll enjoy the views from the lodge and learn about the history of the Sound of Music fame Von Trapp family after they settled in Vermont. Today would be a good day to treat ourselves to a piece of Apfelstruedel in the Lodge’s Austrian tea room before heading back to Stowe. We’ll have dinner together tonight in a classic, historic Stowe restaurant.
Overnight: Brass Lantern Inn, Stowe
Day 4 : Stowe – Bull Moose Pasture - Goshen
4 miles, moderate
We’ll take a walk in a classic Vermont landscape today through sugar maple groves, past old cellar holes in the woods, and next to fields of Holstein cows straight from central casting to Bull Moose Pasture. We’ll follow this walk with a trip to a cider mill and perhaps a farm visit. We’ll then say good-bye to Stowe and head south (in relative terms) to Goshen, Vermont. Our drive will take us down the scenic Route 100, once known as the Vermont’s Ski Highway since there were so many rustic, one-rope-tow “Mom & Pop” downhill ski areas that sprang up along this road in the 1940’s to the 1960’s. We’ll stop at the quaint Warren Store and then we’ll head west from Route 100 up the Middlebury Gap, stopping by dramatic Texas Falls along the way if time allows. When we check in to our inn, we’ll enter the peaceful, off-the-beaten path world of the Moosalamoo part of the Green Mountain National Forest, which has been designated a National Recreation Area. Our inn has pretty views, a spring fed pond reflecting the foliage, a wood fired sauna, and fabulous cuisine. It is surrounded by hills, fields, woods and trails.
Overnight: Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen
Day 5 : Goshen – Silver Lake and Rattlesnake Cliffs
5-7 miles, moderate to challenging
Early risers will quietly head off on a pre-breakfast walk on the Beaver Dam Loop in search of wildlife, returning on Truck Trail. (Let’s see who can guess the reason for naming a trail in the woods Truck Trail). Today we’ll hike up by the Falls of Llana, and then up to the Rattlesnake Cliffs (not to worry: we have never seen a Rattlesnake there) where we’ll enjoy stunning views of Lake Dunmore and the Adirondacks. After that we’ll journey up to Silver Lake, scene of a now gone resort hotel and religious revival meetings during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dinner is at the inn tonight, perhaps preceded by a visit to the wood fired sauna.
Overnight: Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen, Vermont
Day 6 : Brandon Gap – Hogback Mountain Loop – Robert Frost Cabin
3 miles, moderate to challenging
In case we have not yet seen a moose, we’ll take a dawn drive up to beautiful, remote Brandon Gap in search of a moose. After the Inn’s wonderful hot breakfast, we’ll hike directly from the door of the inn and explore Hogback Mountain. Our hike will take us through woods to awesome views at the blueberry picking area on a search for remnants of the downhill ski area that was here in the 1940’s. We’ll make an afternoon visit to that Vermont “pilgrimage” site, the Robert Frost Cabin, soaking up the view from this movingly humble building and beautiful setting. We’ll follow that up with a visit to one or our favorite, authentic country stores. Tonight we’ll toast each other and our accomplishments during our last fireside gourmet dinner in the inn.
Overnight: Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen, Vermont
Day 7 : Addison, Vermont, 4 miles, moderate
After breakfast we travel out of the Green Mountains and over to the Champlain Valley for a hike up Snake Mountain (again, no snakes) and final, fabulous Lake Champlain and Adirondack views at the site of the former aptly named Grand View Hotel. Time permitting, we’ll also visit a local cheese farm or winery to sample some of the products enjoyed by “localvores,” proponents of the local food movement supported so enthusiastically in Vermont. We’ll return you to the Burlington Airport by 3:00 p.m.
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