DAY 1
Arrival in Burlington. Transfer to Goshen; 2-3 miles, easy
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
Robert Frost Trail; 1 mile, easy. Silver Lake Trails; 3-5 miles, easy to moderate
Early risers may take advantage of a pre-breakfast
walk on the Robert Frost Trail. This one-mile loop
trail through the woods near the inn commemorates
the poetry of Robert Frost, who spent
23 summers in this area. 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.
This afternoon you have time to relax on the
porch of the inn or soothe your muscles in the
wood-fired sauna. A wonderful dinner is prepared
for you tonight in the comfort of the inn’s dining
room.
Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen
DAY 3
Little River State Park; 2-3 miles, easy to moderate. Transfer to Stowe. Wiessner Woods; 1-2 miles, easy
After enjoying a full-country breakfast, you leave
Goshen and head north towards Stowe
(approximately 1½ hours).
Little River State Park is the first destination;
this region was once a settlement, home to 50
pioneer families in the late 1700s. The wooded
path takes you past remnants of old town
buildings, a sawmill, 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 amidst the Green Mountains, with
spectacular views of Mount Mansfield and the
Stowe valley. Its Swiss-Austrian alpine architecture,
New England charm, and excellent cuisine provide
a warm welcome at the end of an active day.
Stowehof Inn & Resort, Stowe
DAY 4
Mt. Mansfield; 3-4 miles, moderate to challenging
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.
Lunch is on your own at one of Stowe’s many
fine restaurants or cafes. 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 dine in town at a favorite local restaurant.
Stowehof Inn & Resort, Stowe
DAY 5
Bull Moose Pasture; 4 miles, moderate
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.
If time allows, you may also stroll along one of
Vermont’s signature country roads—with
panoramic views of the Green Mountains in the
distance.
This evening you gather for a final dinner at
the inn.
Stowehof Inn & Resort, Stowe
DAY 6
Trapp Family Lodge; 4-6 miles, moderate. Departure
This morning you visit the grounds of the Trapp
Family Lodge. The von Trapps, made famous by
The Sound of Music, established the first cross-country
ski area in the United States over 50 years
ago. These ski trails offer several walking options
on grassy paths with rolling hills. You begin by
following an old sugaring road through the woods,
which occasionally opens up to dramatic views of the surrounding mountains. You continue through
peaceful, fragrant pine forests, and open meadows
on a loop trail back to the starting point.
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 and sites may vary due to season, special events, or weather. 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.