

Daily Mileage: 2-6 Miles
6 Days
Starting From
$2,648
per person, double occupancy
Third-generation dairy farmer George Woodard flashes a wry grin as he takes you on a hayride through his meadows. His stories and jokes have kept you entertained all afternoon while you’ve been soaking in Vermont’s radiant fall scenery—a blazing patchwork of sugar maples sweeping up to Camel’s Hump’s pointy summit. There’s nothing like exploring Vermont on a walking tour during autumn’s explosion of red, orange, and gold. Strolling through picture-postcard villages and rambling high ridgelines on the Long Trail are reasons enough to visit. But discovering the region through locals’ eyes, meeting friendly bovines, sampling exquisite craft beers, and traversing undiscovered trails from Quechee Gorge to Lake Champlain brings you a step closer to the heart of the Green Mountain State.
Itinerary
Sun, Sep 17 to Fri, Sep 22 - 2023
Show Itinerary:
Waitsfield Common Road; 2-3 miles, easy. Cossingham Road Farm Loop; 2-3 miles, easy
Your guides will meet you at the DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont at 9:00 a.m. in the lobby. They’ll be wearing Country Walkers shirts. Please be dressed for walking.
After a brief orientation meeting you depart for an introductory walk in the town of Waitsfield, located in the heart of Vermont’s Mad River Valley. Situated 40 miles from Burlington, and with only 1,700 full-time residents, Waitsfield is known for its natural beauty and two popular ski destinations: Sugarbush Resort and Mad River Glen. It also boasts numerous restaurants, a 100-year-old covered bridge, and The Big Picture Theater & Café (a quirky theatre-restaurant famous for its maple donuts). Your first walk today takes you along a classic country road with magnificent views over the Mad River Valley towards Sugarbush. On your walk you will also enjoy two notable highlights: the von Trapp Greenhouse and Farm and the Skinner Barn. The Skinner Barn is a beautifully restored historical post-and-beam dairy barn originally built in 1891 by the Daniel Skinner family. You end your walk at the intersection with East Warren Road, where you board a van for a short drive to today’s lunch spot.
After lunch, you depart for a one-hour drive to the quintessential New England town of Norwich. With a population of just over 3,400, Norwich has a vibrant downtown, a lovely village green, and the memorable Dan & Whit’s general store, whose motto is “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it!”
This afternoon’s walk is at the Cossingham Road Farm, where you embark on a meandering walk through woods and open fields. Nearly 70 species of birds have been identified by either sound or sight on the farm, and if you’re lucky, you may spot a barred owl or moose tracks.
Your final destination today is the Norwich Inn, your home for the next two nights. Established in 1797 by Dartmouth College graduate Jasper Murdock, the inn’s Victorian architecture and antique furnishings belie the modern amenities available to its guests. After time to freshen up, you may enjoy a Vermont-made aperitif before dinner at the inn, where you choose from their menu featuring dishes made from fresh, local ingredients.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Optional self-guided history walk; 1 mile, easy. Union Village Dam; 3 miles, easy to moderate
Early risers may opt for a brief self-guided history walk along Norwich’s Main Street before breakfast at the inn’s terrace dining room. Following this refreshing start to your day, you depart for a walk along the Ompompanoosuc River, eventually reaching the Union Village Dam. The dam was built in 1950 as part of a system of 16 dams and reservoirs to control flooding along the Connecticut River and its tributaries. This walk offers a window into the history of Vermont’s industries, as you pass the foundation of an old woolen mill and the sites of former farms and homesteads. A multitude of birds and other wildlife inhabit the mature hardwood forest surrounding the dam.
Next, a short but scenic drive brings you over a covered bridge into Thetford, a town made of six villages lining the Connecticut River. The town is home to the nation’s oldest secondary school, Thetford Academy. In East Thetford, you visit the Cedar Circle Farm—an organic farm and education center whose mission is to raise awareness about the importance of local agriculture and increase access to affordable healthy produce. After a private farm tour, you enjoy a picnic lunch provided by your guides.
Tonight’s dinner is on your own in nearby Hanover, New Hampshire (a short five-minute drive from your accommodation).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
2 miles, easy to moderate. Optional Mt. Tom; 2 miles, easy to moderate
A 15-minute drive from Norwich brings you to Vermont’s “Little Grand Canyon”—the 165-foot-deep Quechee Gorge. Here, you descend into the gorge and walk along the Ottauquechee River. After, a short drive brings you to the charming village of Woodstock. Voted the prettiest town in America, Woodstock boasts a covered bridge and a village green surrounded by restored Georgian, Federal-style, and Greek revival homes. There is also a unique selection of museums, including the Billings Farm & Museum, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, and The Woodstock Historical Society. Here, you have free time to enjoy the local cuisine, wander over to Gillingham’s, the oldest store in town, visit the birthplace and boyhood home of Calvin Coolidge, or partake in an optional Mt. Tom walk, located in one of the oldest professionally managed woodlands in America.
Voted the “prettiest town in America,” Woodstock is a pleasure to explore on foot. A free afternoon invites you to embark on an activity of your choice. For lunch on your own, choose from one of the many restaurants in town or perhaps pack a picnic lunch to eat trailside.
Following your discoveries, a 90-minute drive brings you to the classic mountain village of Stowe, where wooded trails welcome and spectacular views abound. Your home for the next three evenings is an inn situated in the heart of Stowe village, amid the Green Mountains. Here, New England charm and splendid cuisine greet you at the end of your active day.
Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast
2-4 miles, easy to moderate or Mt. Mansfield Ridgeline; 3 miles, moderate to challenging
Today you drive to Smugglers’ Notch—the deep, boulder-laden passageway between Mt. Mansfield and Sterling Peak. Smugglers’ Notch got its name in the early 1800s when it was used for transporting illegal or embargoed goods in and out of Canada.
After ascending Mt. Mansfield by van via the winding Stowe Mountain Toll Road, you admire breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys during a brief stroll from the Visitors’ Center to a viewpoint offering sweeping 360-degree vistas. Those choosing to continue to the summit of Mt. Mansfield walk along the ridge, taking in a panorama of Lake Champlain and several mountain ranges, including the Adirondacks in New York, the White and Green mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as Mount Royal in Canada. Those opting for the walk at the Trapp Family Lodge return to the van and continue the short journey to the lodge founded by the famous family who settled in Stowe after fleeing the Nazi occupation of Austria. Here, the walking choices are nearly infinite, as their 2,500 acres boast over 30 miles of hiking trails, which double as cross-country ski trails in winter.
Later in the afternoon, there is time to explore the village of Stowe. Take a stroll along its recreation path or simply relax and enjoy the tranquility of your inn. Tonight, you have dinner on your own, choosing from the many local restaurants within easy walking distance of your accommodation. Your guides will be happy to assist in your choice.
Another charming New England town, Stowe is more than just a ski town—it also boasts an abundance of art galleries, craft breweries, and excellent dining options.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
4 miles, easy
This morning’s walk takes you to beautiful Bull Moose Pasture. On your way to the pasture, your guides share secrets about the art of maple sugaring and tell tales of the little-known political history of the area. Admire the view as you pass working farms, sugar maple groves, and meadows dotted with Vermont’s ubiquitous Holstein cows.
In the afternoon, you 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. Take a hayride through his meadows, where you’ll have views of Camel’s Hump, Vermont’s third-highest peak. This evening, you gather for a final dinner, where you toast your Green Mountain adventure, and perhaps enjoy a post-dinner swim in the hotel’s heated outdoor pool.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2-3 miles, easy.
After breakfast, you depart Stowe for historic Shelburne Farms, a nonprofit center promoting sustainability and conservation. Comprised of 1,400 acres on the shores of Lake Champlain, and designated as a National Historic Landmark, the farm was established in 1886 as the agricultural estate of William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb. Today, this working farm integrates a host of community and educational activities with a working dairy. The property is home to over 100 Brown Swiss cows, a cheese-making facility, a seasonal inn, and an organic market garden.
Choosing from numerous trails, you explore the grounds and take in the incredible vistas, while passing by the elegant inn as well as the dairy and coach barns. Lunch is a locavore’s dream—the Farm Cart, with an ever-changing menu, offers fresh, creative dining options. Ingredients are supplied by local producers and Shelburne Farms’ own Market Garden, a seven-acre mixed vegetable garden that furnishes produce for the inn and local farmers’ markets. Dramatic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains leave a lasting impression of your visit to Vermont. Following a final lunch, you travel to the Burlington International Airport, where you bid farewell to your guides before you continue your onward travels.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Waitsfield Common Road; 2-3 miles, easy. Cossingham Road Farm Loop; 2-3 miles, easy
Your guides will meet you this morning at the DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont.
After a brief orientation meeting you depart for an introductory walk in the town of Waitsfield, located in the heart of Vermont’s Mad River Valley. Situated 40 miles from Burlington, and with only 1,700 full-time residents, Waitsfield is known for its natural beauty and two popular ski destinations: Sugarbush Resort and Mad River Glen. It also boasts numerous restaurants, a 100-year-old covered bridge, and The Big Picture Theater & Café (a quirky theatre-restaurant famous for its maple donuts). Your first walk today takes you along a classic country road with magnificent views over the Mad River Valley towards Sugarbush. On your walk you will also enjoy two notable highlights: the von Trapp Greenhouse and Farm and the Skinner Barn. The Skinner Barn is a beautifully restored historical post-and-beam dairy barn originally built in 1891 by the Daniel Skinner family. You end your walk at the intersection with East Warren Road, where you board a van for a short drive to today’s lunch spot.
After lunch, you depart for a one-hour drive to the quintessential New England town of Norwich. With a population of just over 3,400, Norwich has a vibrant downtown, a lovely village green, and the memorable Dan & Whit’s general store, whose motto is “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it!”
This afternoon’s walk is at the Cossingham Road Farm, where you embark on a meandering walk through woods and open fields. Nearly 70 species of birds have been identified by either sound or sight on the farm, and if you’re lucky, you may spot a barred owl or moose tracks.
Your final destination today is the Norwich Inn, your home for the next two nights. Established in 1797 by Dartmouth College graduate Jasper Murdock, the inn’s Victorian architecture and antique furnishings belie the modern amenities available to its guests. After time to freshen up, you may enjoy a Vermont-made aperitif before dinner at the inn, where you choose from their menu featuring dishes made from fresh, local ingredients.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Optional self-guided history walk; 1 mile, easy. Union Village Dam; 3 miles, easy to moderate
Early risers may opt for a brief self-guided history walk along Norwich’s Main Street before breakfast at the inn’s terrace dining room. Following this refreshing start to your day, you depart for a walk along the Ompompanoosuc River, eventually reaching the Union Village Dam. The dam was built in 1950 as part of a system of 16 dams and reservoirs to control flooding along the Connecticut River and its tributaries. This walk offers a window into the history of Vermont’s industries, as you pass the foundation of an old woolen mill and the sites of former farms and homesteads. A multitude of birds and other wildlife inhabit the mature hardwood forest surrounding the dam.
Next, a short but scenic drive brings you over a covered bridge into Thetford, a town made of six villages lining the Connecticut River. The town is home to the nation’s oldest secondary school, Thetford Academy. In East Thetford, you visit the Cedar Circle Farm—an organic farm and education center whose mission is to raise awareness about the importance of local agriculture and increase access to affordable healthy produce. After a private farm tour, you enjoy a picnic lunch provided by your guides.
Tonight’s dinner is on your own in nearby Hanover, New Hampshire (a short five-minute drive from your accommodation).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
2 miles, easy to moderate. Optional Mt. Tom; 2 miles, easy to moderate
A 15-minute drive from Norwich brings you to Vermont’s “Little Grand Canyon”—the 165-foot-deep Quechee Gorge. Here, you descend into the gorge and walk along the Ottauquechee River. After, a short drive brings you to the charming village of Woodstock. Voted the prettiest town in America, Woodstock boasts a covered bridge and a village green surrounded by restored Georgian, Federal-style, and Greek revival homes. There is also a unique selection of museums, including the Billings Farm & Museum, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, and The Woodstock Historical Society. Here, you have free time to enjoy the local cuisine, wander over to Gillingham’s, the oldest store in town, visit the birthplace and boyhood home of Calvin Coolidge, or partake in an optional Mt. Tom walk, located in one of the oldest professionally managed woodlands in America.
Voted the “prettiest town in America,” Woodstock is a pleasure to explore on foot. A free afternoon invites you to embark on an activity of your choice. For lunch on your own, choose from one of the many restaurants in town or perhaps pack a picnic lunch to eat trailside.
Following your discoveries, a 90-minute drive brings you to the classic mountain village of Stowe, where wooded trails welcome and spectacular views abound. Your home for the next three evenings is an inn situated in the heart of Stowe village, amid the Green Mountains. Here, New England charm and splendid cuisine greet you at the end of your active day.
Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast
2-4 miles, easy to moderate or Mt. Mansfield Ridgeline; 3 miles, moderate to challenging
Today you drive to Smugglers’ Notch—the deep, boulder-laden passageway between Mt. Mansfield and Sterling Peak. Smugglers’ Notch got its name in the early 1800s when it was used for transporting illegal or embargoed goods in and out of Canada.
After ascending Mt. Mansfield by van via the winding Stowe Mountain Toll Road, you admire breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys during a brief stroll from the Visitors’ Center to a viewpoint offering sweeping 360-degree vistas. Those choosing to continue to the summit of Mt. Mansfield walk along the ridge, taking in a panorama of Lake Champlain and several mountain ranges, including the Adirondacks in New York, the White and Green mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as Mount Royal in Canada. Those opting for the walk at the Trapp Family Lodge return to the van and continue the short journey to the lodge founded by the famous family who settled in Stowe after fleeing the Nazi occupation of Austria. Here, the walking choices are nearly infinite, as their 2,500 acres boast over 30 miles of hiking trails, which double as cross-country ski trails in winter.
Later in the afternoon, there is time to explore the village of Stowe. Take a stroll along its recreation path or simply relax and enjoy the tranquility of your inn. Tonight, you have dinner on your own, choosing from the many local restaurants within easy walking distance of your accommodation. Your guides will be happy to assist in your choice.
Another charming New England town, Stowe is more than just a ski town—it also boasts an abundance of art galleries, craft breweries, and excellent dining options.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
4 miles, easy
This morning’s walk takes you to beautiful Bull Moose Pasture. On your way to the pasture, your guides share secrets about the art of maple sugaring and tell tales of the little-known political history of the area. Admire the view as you pass working farms, sugar maple groves, and meadows dotted with Vermont’s ubiquitous Holstein cows.
In the afternoon, you 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. Take a hayride through his meadows, where you’ll have views of Camel’s Hump, Vermont’s third-highest peak. This evening, you gather for a final dinner, where you toast your Green Mountain adventure, and perhaps enjoy a post-dinner swim in the hotel’s heated outdoor pool.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2-3 miles, easy.
After breakfast, you depart Stowe for historic Shelburne Farms, a nonprofit center promoting sustainability and conservation. Comprised of 1,400 acres on the shores of Lake Champlain, and designated as a National Historic Landmark, the farm was established in 1886 as the agricultural estate of William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb. Today, this working farm integrates a host of community and educational activities with a working dairy. The property is home to over 100 Brown Swiss cows, a cheese-making facility, a seasonal inn, and an organic market garden.
Choosing from numerous trails, you explore the grounds and take in the incredible vistas, while passing by the elegant inn as well as the dairy and coach barns. Lunch is a locavore’s dream—the Farm Cart, with an ever-changing menu, offers fresh, creative dining options. Ingredients are supplied by local producers and Shelburne Farms’ own Market Garden, a seven-acre mixed vegetable garden that furnishes produce for the inn and local farmers’ markets. Dramatic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains leave a lasting impression of your visit to Vermont. Following a final lunch, you travel to the Burlington International Airport, where you bid farewell to your guides before you continue your onward travels.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The Norwich Inn
A historical Vermont inn located in the heart of town, featuring rooms with air conditioning and WiFi, decorated with Victorian antiques and traditional furnishings. An on-site microbrewery, outdoor patio, wine cellar, and enclosed terrace dining room complement the inn’s many modern amenities.
Green Mountain Inn
Listed 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. Modern in-room amenities include WiFi and air conditioning.
What's Included | Tour Only |
---|---|
Exceptional boutique accommodations | |
12 on-tour meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners | |
Local guides with you throughout tour | |
Entrance fees and special events as noted in the itinerary | |
Travel assistance available 24/7 provided by Allianz Global Assistance | |
Telescopic walking sticks provided on tour |
Dates & Prices
Select Year :
Tour Only
6 Days. Includes walking vacation only.
Single Supplement: From $698
For more information, call: 800-245-3868
Please note: Web Special savings cannot be combined with any other offer. Standard Terms & Conditions apply when purchasing this trip. Prices include all airline surcharges and Government taxes and fees. Ask our Tour Consultants for details. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors. Prices are based on preferences selected above, including meals and sightseeing as specified in What’s Included. All prices are subject to change. Departure dates and prices shown may be updated several times daily, and apply to new bookings only.
Beautiful country and great group of travelers but alas not up to CW standards. This was my 10th trip with CW so I definitely will return but this trip was not well vetted by CW.
Person of Interest,
Vermont: Fall Foliage
This was a life changing vacation for me. The beauty of Vermont wrapped up with wonderful fun and kind people and two tour guides that gave an 110 percent effort to making sure we ate well, walked in gorgeous places and had a fabulous time. I could not ask for a better trip!
Michelle Jorgensen,
Vermont: Fall Foliage
Experience your destination like an insider with people who call it home.
Ann Pollender
Born and raise in Vermont, Ann has always had an affiliation for the Green Mountains. She has hiked the state through trail (the Long Trail), as well as all of Vermont’s fire towers! A lover of education, Anne spent over 30 years teaching at her local high school and coaching field hocky. Transitioning to an outdoor classroom in tour guiding was easy for this life-long adventurer. Her goal is to show CW guests all the special aspects of Vermont, including how to put Maple Syrup on all food!
Mary Simons
Over two decades ago, Mary Simons faced a difficult choice-should she move to Vermont or Maine? She ultimately chose Vermont, thanks to an offer of a teaching job, and she finds great peace living in her woodsy cabin with views of the stunning Green Mountains. However, she still spends as much time as she can visiting the beautiful, rugged coastline of Maine. When not guiding, she is the director of a traveling immersion journalism program for high school and college students. Mary is a skilled conversationalist that is certain to make guests feel cared for while time in one of her favorite areas of New England-Acadia National Park.
Deb Van Schaack
Deb Van Schaack spent her previous life as a public high school counselor and has always loved all things outdoors-learning everything she can about the wonders of the natural world around us. She also has a passion for long distance hiking, completing both the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail in the US and tackling some long-distance paths in Europe as well. When not guiding, Deb enjoys seasonal employment reading college admissions applications and traveling as much as she can.
Matt Witten
Matthew Witten is writer and performer as well as a guide who has studied the Champlain Valley’s environment and history as a longtime adjunct of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum staff. A native Vermonter, Matthew leads boating and hiking trips and travels the northeast as a performing musician, songwriter, and storyteller. He also coordinates a network of River Watch volunteers, who monitor streams in western Vermont.
Marina Meerburg
Born and raised in Stockholm, Marina Meerburg first started working as a guide at an Austrian ski resort after graduating from the Stockholm School of Economics. It was at that resort that she met her husband, the two of them eventually moving to Stowe, Vermont. Marina continues to guide when not working as a freelance translator or a ski instructor at Stowe Mountain Resort. She is an avid outdoor and exercise enthusiast, as well as a certified Nordic Walking instructor.
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