Fall
IN VERMONT'S MAD RIVER VALLEY
Fall IN VERMONT'S MAD RIVER VALLEY
Mad River Glen is a ski area like no other. It’s a place where skiing is still a sport, not an industry. A place where skiing remains an outdoor adventure in a pristine, natural setting. Mad River Glen offers challenging and diverse terrain with an uphill capacity that guarantees un-crowded trails. It is one of… Cabot Creamery Cooperative is a cooperative of 1,200 dairy farm families located throughout upstate New York and New England. The Cooperative manages four plants in three states, employing over 1,000 people, who make the best dairy products on the planet. Award-winning cheeses made with love and pride in Cabot and Middlebury, Vermont and Chateaugay, NY,… A lesser-used 5.6 mile round-trip loop trail to the summit of Camel’s Hump approaches the mountain from the west. The Forest City Trail begins at a road junction east of Huntington Center. Going right from the junction, the trail is a logging road that crosses and then re-crosses Brush Brook before climbing gradually to the… Paddle on the Waterbury Reservoir, or spend some time camping at this quiet State Park spanning 850 acres. Located a short drive from the Mad River Valley, this state park is open spring, summer and winter. View Location Map The Bridges is consistently ranked among the 50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts by Tennis Magazine Adult Tennis Clinics Daily Grand Slam Packages 90 minute Wide Open Workout 60 minute private lesson Unlimited court time Bridges gift Game matching Bridges tennis mixers Full use of The Bridges Fitness Center Other Adult Events Team training, private lessons,… Vermont covered bridges are a unique feature of the landscape. There are more covered bridges per square mile in Vermont than any other place in the world, with 107 authentic covered bridges located throughout the state. Here is a circle tour that brings you through 8 covered bridges around the Mad River Valley: Lincoln Gap… A drive which features spectacular mountain views, thrilling ups and downs, and the very best foliage that Vermont has to offer. You travel over the Lincoln Gap which, at 2,410′ is the highest one in the state as well as over the Appalachian Gap at 2,365′, the highest gap open all year. Special features of… (Download Printable Hike Description PDF) Easy/moderate 2.2 miles out and back, elevation gain 400’ Sunset Ledge is a favorite, family-friendly destination. As the name implies, this short hike is well known for its grand sunsets over Lake Champlain and the rugged Adirondack Mountains. If returning after sunset, don’t forget to bring along a flashlight or… The Blueberry Lake Mountain Biking Trails With help from the US Forest Service, the Mad River Riders, VT Mountain Bike Association, Sustainable Trailworks, the Town of Warren, Sugarbush Resort, the VT Youth Conservation Corps, Green Mountain Valley School and many others, Phase 1 was completed in 2012. Phase 2 planning is underway. Fund raising efforts… A 6.2 mile round-trip hike through forest across the top of Mad River Glen to the summit of General Stark Mountain. Begin at the Appalachian Gap and hike south. Your first challenge is Stark’s Wall, a steep uphill climb. You will cross a perennially muddy area with the help of planks, climb a ladder across… The Valley’s own “Enchanted Forest” beckons. So-called because of the hauntingly beautiful stand of pines about halfway along the trail, the Dana Forest Trail traverses a piece of Camel’s Hump State Forest and is enjoyable on both snowshoes and cross-country skis. Trailhead access is from Tucker Hill Road. Sign in and follow the blue blazes… Easy, 4 mile loop, elevation gain 540’, (dirt roads) A fun back road loop on North Fayston, Center Fayston and Randall roads, with nice views of Burnt Rock Mt. and the high valley. The Route: Park on the side of North Fayston Rd (off of Airport Rd and Route 100 in Fayston) then head west… The best way to experience the Mad River Valley is to explore the scenic Mad River Byway. The Mad River Byway is one of a collection of scenic Vermont roads recognized for their archeological, cultural, historic, natural recreational or scenic qualities. The Mad River Byway stretches 36.5 miles and winds its way through Middlesex, Moretown,… Recreational trails ideal for non-motorized recreation. Good for beginner and intermediate levels. Add the element of speed and experts will thoroughly enjoy these trails. Access by the dam at Blueberry Lake. The Lincoln Gap to Mt.Abraham portion of the Long Trail is a challenging hike to one of the most impressive summits in New England. At over 4000 feet you have 360o views of the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain to the west, the White Mountains to the east and the Green Mountains from Killington Peak to… Moderate, 4 mile loop, elevation gain 850’ (paved and dirt roads) Bragg Hill Road has few panoramic rivals in the Valley. The mountains are so close, you can almost touch them. The vista of Mount Ellen, framed by the famous Bragg Farm Barn, was voted most representative view of Vermont. The Route: Park in Irasville… Vermont’s source for outdoor clothing, gear and guided adventures. For 44 years we have been Central Vermont’s four-season source for outdoor clothing, gear and guided adventures. Enjoy canoeing and kayaking, stand up paddleboarding or tubing the Mad River and surrounding lakes in the summer. Explore backpacking and hiking in the summer and fall, or backcountry… The Moretown Memorial Library, the Joslin Memorial Library and the Warren Public Library have joined together as an informal association to promote libraries, library services and library programs in the Mad River Valley. All three libraries utilize technological services in their library programing. Patrons may download audio and e-books, can take free online courses, or… This quiet Mad River swimming spot, right off of Rt. Rt. 100, is shaded, shallow, and welcoming. There is a parking area, a picnic table, and a rope swing and is perfect for a family outing. From Waitsfield, go south on Rt. 100 and turn left just beyond the Golden Lion Riverside Inn into the parking… The Sunset Rock hike is relatively short hike that quickly takes the participant to absolutely spectacular views of the Valley and the Adirondack Mountain Range from an elevation of over 2000 feet. Once at the trail head, follow the white-blazed Long Trail South markings to the Mountain National Forest registration box. The trail starts with… Moderate, 5 mile loop, elevation gain 560’ (dirt roads) This loop features good climbs in the forest before opening up to some of the best views in the Mad River Valley. The Route: From Moretown village, go up the Moretown Mt Rd and, staying right, climb 1.75 miles to Howes Rd. Turn left on Howes… The Bundy Modern, built in 1962 as an art and sculpture gallery, was conceived to be in harmony with its surroundings in nature and to bring the outdoors in through the use of walls of glass. The building is a stunning example of Bauhaus International-style architecture. Today Bundy Modern is a modern and contemporary art… The non-profit Mad River Path Association manages a series of community paths in the Valley, including this “West Side Loop” section of the Mad River Greenway. This is an easy, 2-mile (out-and-back) trail along the Mad River and through riparian forests. Towards the end of the path is a lovely gazebo set up on the… The Mad River Chorale celebrated its Twentieth Aniiversary in 2012-13. We’re a non-auditioned but highly-reviewed community chorus which entertains the Mad River Valley residents and guests year around, performing at various venues in the area. For specific information about singing opporunities and instruction and about upcoming concerts, please visit our website, linked above. Welcome to one of the most beautiful places in the country to fly gliders – Vermont’s Mad River Valley. At Sugarbush Soaring we offer flight instruction, scenic rides, rentals, introductory flights, and aero tows. What makes Sugarbush Soaring special? The Warren Sugarbush airport (0B7) is one of the premier soaring locations in the US. On any… Enjoy the finest in gifts & decorative accessories, gourmet cookware, housewares, linens, gift baskets, bath items, cookbooks, specialty foods and much, much more. For over 46 years, The Store has been pleasing Vermonters and people around the world with its extraordinary selections, exceptional style and its caring service. Housed in a magnificent historic 1834 building,… Lawson’s Finest was founded in 2008 by Sean and Karen Lawson. Lawson’s Finest Liquid’s goal is to provide beers of the highest quality and outstanding freshness, featuring world-class IPA’s and unique maple brews, while emulating the best of widely appreciated styles. In 2018 Lawson’s Finest opened their Waitsfield brewery, taproom and retail store. The Waitsfield hand-hewn… Taking time for oneself on a regular basis is important in the lives we live now a days. Whether it is by practicing yoga, meditating, getting acupuncture or through some other means, these modalities can transform one’s life with more calm, peacefulness, joy and health. Ana has been teaching yoga since 2002 and has received… The Valley Players is in its 40th consecutive year of successful community theater and we invite everyone to participate in our wide variety of activities. Look at our Theater Calendar, for the latest events Every Labor Day Weekend join us at the Mad River Valley Craft Fair, which we own Read about the annual Vermont Playwrights Award, to encourage new plays… In Montpelier you can explore one of the nation’s oldest and best preserved state capitols. As you tour our halls and chambers, you will develop a sense of what makes this historic building, and the state for which it was built, unique. The Vermont capitol also operates on the principle of open government and all… Enchanted Forest – Dana Hill Rd – Cyclone Connector – Enchanted Forest (Download Printable PDF) Moderate, 3.4 miles and +/- 400 vertical feet (open seasonally for mountain biking from late May to mid-November) This fun lollipop loop for aspiring riders is a mix of Class IV road and wider trails, with easier stretches, moderately technical… The Valley Arts is a non-profit organization dedicated to the celebration of the Arts in the Mad River Valley. The Vermont Festival of the Arts is held from August 1st through Labor Day weekend. Valley Arts also runs the Festival Gallery, exhibiting local and regional artists year-round. This 5-mile loop will take you on a ramble through back-country roads with good views along the way. Park in Warren Village, cross Rt. 100, and start up the steep Lincoln Gap Road. Turn right onto West Hill Road and follow that all around and back down to Rt. 100. From Waitsfield, go south on… A 7.5 mile road-walk loop that starts in Warren Village. Trek up the Freeman Road, locally known as the Dump Road. Continue walking east as the road becomes Airport Road. Cross east Warren Road onto Roxbury Mountain Road then turn right on Senor Road. Turn right again on Fuller Hill Road and continue down to… A 4-mile round-trip flat hike that is a local well-kept secret. Equally good for snowshoeing or hiking, you begin at Stetson Hollow (marked by a small sign) on the west side of Rt. 100 south of Warren Village. This is a scenic snowshoe along the brook and is marked by small waterfalls and cascades. The… Challenging, 8.4 miles out and back, elevation gain 2500’ Views of Stark Mt., Camel’s Hump, Mt. Mansfield and Lake Champlain are part of this peak’s spectacular scenery. The Jerusalem Trail climbs steadily to the intersection of the Long Trail. At the Long Trail, turn right and head south toward Mt. Ellen. Along the way, traverse… At it’s most simple, Pilates is a non-impact form of resistance training. Not only is Pilates a form of exercise but also a means of injury prevention and rehabilitation. Pilates focus’s on correct spinal and pelvic alignment, proper breathing, and smooth movement. By emphasizing these things you learn to move in a controlled manner from… (Download Printable PDF of Hike) Moderate, 2 miles out and back, elevation gain 420’ The trails feature easy grades in a beautiful mixed hardwood forest, then some more challenging steep sections on the Vista Trail. The view is well worth the effort. Trail Access and Route: The trailhead for this route is at the Brooks… No visit to Central Vermont is complete without a tour of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream factory in Waterbury Center. This famous company has become an icon for Vermont the world over. The company was started by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978 and moved to its current location in 1986. Their fun range… Mad River Fiber Mill is a full service fiber processing mini mill. Our brand new equipment is manufactured by Belfast Mini Mills, in Prince Edward Island, Canada. We can handle your raw fiber from washing through yarn and every step in between. We process all wool types, fine wools such as Merino, Cormo and… A new trail in the Phen Basin Wilderness, it was a former logging road and is now acknowledged by the state of Vermont as a public hiking/showshoeing trail. As the trail ascends into the Phen Basin, it crosses two upland streams. You might sight evidence of moose, bobcats, or bears, as they are protected in… This pretty trail takes you above Rt. 17 through a hemlock forest and a deer yard. It is wooded, and although not very long, rolls up and down moderately steep hills which makes it more vigorous than its length would suggest. The path is narrow with a series of wooden footbridges and rocky terrain underfoot.… A steep, 5.2 mile round-trip snowshoe that takes you up to some of the best viewing on the Long Trail. The trail begins at the parking lot at the end of Big Basin Road before the steel pipe gate. You follow the Hedgehog Brook Trail along a stream. The trail ascends gently at first, becoming… This tour takes you north to Stowe and beyond and back to Montpelier with lots of opportunity for leaf-peeping and visiting some of Vermont’s best attractions along the way. Don’t miss: Ben & Jerry’s Cold Hollow Cider Mill Smuggler’s Notch Lake Elmore The State Capitol From Waitsfield, go NORTH on VT-100 through Irasville and Waitsfield… Challenging, 5.8 miles out and back, elevation gain 2500’ One of Vermont’s five 4,000’ mountains, the rocky summit of Mount Abraham offers 360 degree panoramic views of the White Mountains, the Adirondacks and Killington Peak – called “one of the best panoramas from the Long Trail” by the Green Mountain Club. The Battell Trail climbs… Moderate, 5 mile loop, elevation gain 500’ (paved and dirt roads) This walk offers beautiful views of the Green Mountains across the valley. Along Common Rd, notice the Skinner Barn, a beautifully restored historic dairy barn originally built in 1891 by the Daniel Skinner family. Of classic post and beam construction, it has now found… The trail begins at the Battleground Condominiums. It is about 4 miles out and back but can be made longer by connecting to the Catamount Trail which then crosses the Long Trail. After passing the Battleground’s tennis courts, the trail heads right, into the woods, and climbs steeply for a ways then becomes more gradually… The Mad River Valley is close to several spectacular waterfalls and scenic gaps through the Green Mountains. This circle tour brings you to: Granville Gulf Moss Glen Falls Texas Falls Middlebury with its large waterfall in the town center The Appalachian Gap Be sure to stop and enjoy the views along the way! The photographs… This swimming hole has something for everyone. There is a rocky beach stretching out from the edge and a deep pool located right below the bridge. A little upstream is a less-frequented spot and there is a strip of rocks in the middle of the river when the river is high. Just north of the Mad River Valley, on Rt. 100B is a gem of a swimming hole and small park. There are rocks to climb, boulders to hop, and a large grassy area to enjoy on a warm summer’s day. From Waitsfield, go north on Rt. 100 and where the road splits, continue north on… A full day, or overnight, and 11.6 miles along the Long Trail will take you to the Summit of Mount Abraham, across the top of Lincoln Peak, Mount Ellen, and General Stark Mountain and end with an exciting descent to Rt. 17 and the Appalachian Gap. Two cars, or a ride at the end, are… North Fayston Loop Easy to Moderate, 4 mile loop, elevation gain 540’, (dirt roads) A fun back road loop on North Fayston, Center Fayston and Randall roads, with nice views of Burnt Rock Mt. and the high valley. The Route: Park on the side of North Fayston Rd in Fayston west of Route 100, then… The MAD RIVER TASTE PLACE offers a curated retail experience where locals and visitors can learn about, taste, and purchase food and beverages originated in the Mad River Valley and throughout Vermont. Occupying a thoughtfully repurposed bank building you can read the stories of the makers, meet the artisan of the day and sample their products, take… This 1.3 mile trail connects the Warren Riverside Park to the Sugarbush snowmaking pond on the Mad River. From the park, walk north along Rt. 100 for a short distance crossing the Clay Brook to the Golden Lion Riverside Inn. North of the Inn, the path is on an ancient alignment of Rt. 100, passing… A 2.6 mile round-trip hike that gains over 500′ of elevation to a unique lookout. From Rt. 17 you hike north on the Long Trail, which climbs steeply, passes a spur to the Mad River Glen Lookout, then reaches a high point at the flat ridge of Molly Stark Mountain summit. The trail goes over…
Mad River Glen (802) 496-3551
Salt and Sand Studios: Yoga Studio, Glass Blowing School 802-583-2559
Cabot Creamery Cooperative (802) 496-1200
Camel’s Hump from Huntington
Waterbury Reservoir
Bridges Family Resort (802) 583-2922
Covered Bridges
Mountain Driver’s Delight
Sunset Ledge
Blueberry Lake Trails: Flying Squirrel Mountain Biking
Long Trail: General Stark Mountain
Dana Forest Trail
North Fayston Walk
Mad River Byway
Blueberry Lake Recreation Trails
Long Trail: Lincoln Gap to Mt. Abraham
Bragg Hill Road Walk
Clearwater Sports (802) 496-2708
Mad River Valley Libraries (802) 496-3913
Warren Riverside Park Swimming Hole
Long Trail: Sunset Rock
Moretown Common Road Biking Loop
Bundy Modern 802-583-5832
Mad River Path (802) 496-7284
Mad River Chorale (802) 496-4781
Sugarbush Soaring (802) 496-2290
The Store (802) 496-4465
Lawson’s Finest Liquids 802-496-HOPS
Mountain Rose Yoga and Acupuncture 802-496-9204
Valley Players (802) 583-1674
Vermont State House (802) 828-1411
Enchanted Forest Lollipop Mountain Biking Loop
Valley Arts VT (802) 496-6682
West Hill Loop
Fuller Hill – Warren Village
Stetson Hollow
Long Trail – Mount Ellen via Jerusalem Trail
Zoe’s Pilates (802) 583-2673
The Warren Path
Ben & Jerry’s Homemade (802) 882-2040
Mad River Fiber Arts & Mill 802-496-7746
Hemlock Hill Trail
Mill Brook Trail
Burnt Rock Mountain
Northern Foliage Loop
Long Trail: Mt. Abe from Battell Trail
Waitsfield Country Roads Loop
Phen Basin Hike
Gulf and Gap Loop
Great Eddy Swimming Hole
Ward’s Swimming Hole
Long Trail: Gap to Gap (Monroe Skyline)
North Fayston Road Biking Loop
Mad River Taste Place 802-496-3165
Kingsbury Bridge Greenway
Long Trail: Molly Stark’s Balcony
