Middlesex, Camp Meade & The Mad River Byway
The Mad River Valley can be geographically challenging for first time visitors. “The Valley” encompasses the entirety of the watershed of the Mad River starting at its headwaters in Granville to its confluence with the Winooski River in Middlesex. It includes the towns of Warren, Waitsfield, Fayston, Granville and Middlesex. The fabled Vermont Route 100 runs parallel to the Mad River the entire length of “The Valley”.
To encourage exploration we have found it is helpful to view our community as a group of distinctive “neighborhoods”. Middlesex is one such neighborhood that is also the Gateway to the Mad River Valley. Located at Exit 9 off of Interstate 89 Middlesex and Camp Meade are where you start to immerse yourself in the vibe of the Mad River Valley and it also marks the beginning of the Mad River Byway.
Red Hen Bakery and Cafe is one of the anchors in Middlesex. Travelers and locals alike are welcomed daily for breakfast, snacks, coffee, to enjoy here or take on the road, and Vermont provisions.
As you enter Middlesex from the highway or from Route 100B you will come to Camp Meade. This historic site was once a First Nations settlement and later a Civilian Conservation Corps camp. Today Camp Meade is home to Red Hen Bakery and Café and The Local, an amazing wine and beer shop.
The Local is a superior wine and beer shop offering dizzying array of libations paired with a passionate and knowledgeable staff. Keep on the lookout for periodic tastings and other events.
Across the streeet you’ll see The Filling Station Restaurant and just down the road at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 100B you find Roots Farm Market. Everything they grow and produce is certified-organic and comes directly from their farm. They also carry seedlings, perennial & annual plants, cut flowers, beer & wine, cheeses, chocolates, maple syrup, breads, basic grocery items, ice cream, dairy, snacks, and so much more! .
After visiting Middlesex continue down the The Mad River Byway into the heart of the Mad River Valley where you can visit our other neighborhoods (Warren Village, Irasville, Bridge Street as well as Mad River Glen and Sugarbush ski areas) and explore everything the Mad River Valley has to offer. While the Mad River Byway may be short in length – at a mere 36 miles – but mile by mile, it offers up an enthralling density of experiences. Following two of Vermont’s most scenic roads, Routes 100 and 100B, this valley is a landscape of forested mountains, hillside farms, a flowing river, and church-steepled villages.