DAY 1

The tour meets at the Burlington International Airport where you immediately depart for a scenic 1½-hour drive to your home for the next two nights. The Blueberry Hill Inn is located on 120 private acres near Moosalamoo, a section of the Green Mountain National Forest, in central Vermont. This original 1813 farmhouse, adorned with antiques and handmade quilts, exudes warmth and rustic charm.

Later in the afternoon you embark on a short warm-up walk along trails that surround the inn. Dinner this evening is served in the inn’s comfortable dining room. After dinner you have time to relax and enjoy the inn’s charming and peaceful environment.
Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen

DAY 2

After enjoying a full country breakfast, you set off to explore the trails around nearby Silver Lake. Wooded paths, brilliant colors, and lake views dot the landscape as you walk through this unspoiled region. You wander from Silver Lake down to an overlook of the Falls of Lana—part of Sucker Brook which flows into Lake Dunmore.

This afternoon you have time to relax on the porch of the inn or soothe your muscles in the wood-fired sauna. Or, you may want to join the guides on this three mile loop walk featuring 200 year old maples, a beautiful blueberry meadow, and gorgeous views. A wonderful dinner is prepared for you tonight in the comfort of the inn's dining room.
Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen

DAY 3

After another enjoyable breakfast, you leave Goshen for the approximate 1½ hour drive towards Stowe. However, not far from the inn you stop to enjoy a one-mile wooded trail loop on the Robert Frost Trail which commemorates the poetry of Robert Frost, who spent 23 summers in this area.

Having stretched your legs you settle in for the drive north towards Little River State Park stopping in the charming village of Warren and the Warren General Store where you pick up a moveable feast before arriving at the State Park. This region was once a settlement, home to 50 pioneer families in the early to mid-1800s. A wooded path takes you past remnants of old town buildings, a schoolhouse, and cemeteries; all are evidence of a once-thriving community. 

Following a picnic lunch you continue on to Stowe, where wooded trails welcome, and spectacular views abound. Your home for the next few evenings is an inn situated in the heart of Stowe village amidst the Green Mountains. New England charm and excellent cuisine provide a warm welcome at the end of an active day.
The Green Mountain Inn, Stowe

DAY 4

Today you drive to Smuggler’s Notch—the deep, boulder-laden passageway between Mt. Mansfield and Sterling Peak. In the early 1800s, Smuggler’s Notch was used as a route for smuggling goods in and out of Canada.

After ascending Mt. Mansfield by van, you begin a walk at the visitors’ center located near the top of the mountain. On a clear day, this ridgeline walk provides breathtaking views of Lake Champlain and several mountain ranges including the Adirondacks, the White Mountains, the Green Mountains, and Mount Royal in Canada. At 4,393 feet, Mt. Mansfield is the state’s highest summit and supports the largest of three alpine ecosystems in Vermont. Its alpine vegetation survives high winds, extreme temperatures, and considerable precipitation. Mt. Mansfield also supports numerous forest ecosystems that are noticeable as you traverse the ridge.

There is time this afternoon to further explore the village of Stowe, take a stroll along its recreation path, or simply relax and enjoy the tranquility of your inn. Tonight you are on your own for dinner choosing from many local restaurants within easy walking distance. Your guides will be happy to assist in your choice. 
The Green Mountain Inn, Stowe

DAY 5

Today’s walk takes you to beautiful Bull Moose Pasture. You pass working farms, sugar maple groves, and meadows dotted with Vermont’s ubiquitous Holstein cows. Autumn features spectacular fall foliage as leaves of maple, birch, and poplar trees change to dazzling shades of red, orange, and yellow.

This afternoon you take time to visit with George Woodard, a third generation Vermont organic dairy farmer and storyteller. From George you gain a better understanding of Vermont’s history of dairy farming and maple sugaring as you picnic in his meadows overlooking Camel’s Hump, Vermont’s third highest peak.

This evening you gather for a final dinner at the inn.
The Green Mountain Inn, Stowe

DAY 6

After a final breakfast at the inn your guides will offer a final walk depending largely on the weather and will be chosen from their repertoire of highlights in the area. Excellent views of nearby mountains painted with colorful foliage leaves a lasting impression of your visit to Vermont.

Following a final lunch as a group, you transfer to the Burlington International Airport in time for early evening flights.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Nights 1 & 2

Blueberry Hill Inn
Goshen, Vermont

A quintessential Vermont country inn, offering comfort, charm, and excellent dining. Pond and walking trails on-site.

Nights 3, 4 & 5

The Green Mountain Inn
Stowe, Vermont

Listed as number 13 on the National Register of Historic Places, this property sits in the heart of Stowe Village and features rooms with early American reproduction furniture, stenciling, and handmade quilts.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.

Deborah Lewis

Deborah's enthusiasm for her adopted state of Vermont overflows into everything that
she does. She enjoys guiding hikes, searching for buried treasure, and creating trails on the
land surrounding her cabin west of Middlebury, Vermont. The winter season finds her
teaching her children to cross-country ski. A former corporate consultant, Deborah is
happiest on the trail with her Robert Frost poetry in hand.

Timothy Smith

When Tim moved to Vermont, he immediately began exploring the backwoods and trails of this beautiful state.  As he developed his middle school teaching career, he integrated exploring the early history of the Champlain Valley into his hiking.  Through week-long backpacking trips on the Long Trail, his love of the peacefulness that Vermont offers grew.  When not guiding or teaching, Tim can be found hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing or skiing during his free time.

Maggie Anderson

Maggie, both a massage therapist and yoga instructor, has always been an avid outdoor enthusiast. She spent 5 years working for the Adirondack and Green Mountains Clubs doing everything from ridge running to stewarding trail maintenance projects. Her love for hiking inspired her to hike Vermont's Long Trail 3 times and attempt an Appalachian Trail through hike. When not enjoying the trails you can find her training for triathlons, listening to live music, or practicing headstands.

Mark Kutolowski

An avid forager, Mark makes his own medicines and delights in harvesting, preparing, and eating gourmet wild foods. Mark teaches wilderness survival skills at Dartmouth College where he is also the founder of New Creation Wilderness, a program exploring the relationship between wilderness living and contemplative spirituality. Also a professional storyteller, he frequently weaves traditional tales into his guiding and interpretive work.

Ron Lucier

Ron makes his home in Stowe, Vermont, where roaming the hills and mountains has been a lifelong passion. Ron spends his winters as a ski instructor, and guides during the summer months, sharing his love for alpine plants, geology and bird watching with visitors to Vermont. Besides spending time in the mountains, Ron enjoys international travel, cooking, and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Green Mountain Club.