VermonTouring

When Mad River Valley locals head out to explore and experience other parts of Vermont you might hear them say that “we’re going VermonTouring”. The Mad River Valley’s central location in the heart of the Green Mountains makes it an ideal launch pad to explore Vermont. With a little planning, you’ll be amazed at how much there is to see. Whether you are looking for a short drive around town, an hour or two for a full-day excursion there are some classic tour loops emanating from the Mad River Valley. Here are a few suggestions;

Local Driving Tours

Classic MRV Tour
If you’re pressed for time and you can do just one jaunt around the MRV on your visit, this  is the one! It’s also a great way to get the proverbial “lay of the land”.  It’s a loop starting and ending at the MRV Chamber Visitor Center. Tack on some of the other adjoining loops to create a personalized tour.
See the Map!

Bragg Hill Loop
This relatively short loop delivers some of the MRV’s most spectacular views year-round. Hard up against the intersection of Route 100 & Route 17 turn up Bragg Hill Road. You’ll come across Knoll Farm and then the views really open up. Stop by the South Fayston cemetery to take in iconic MRV views and explore one of the oldest burial grounds in the valley featuring Revolutionary War veterans. Bend around the pond and go past the much-photographed Bragg Farm, home to Ploughgate Creamery. At this point the road heads downhill and becomes Number 9 Hill Road which is named after the old #9 School House at the bottom of the hill. You’ll come out on Route 17 (AKA the Mill Brook Road) where you can make a left to head back to Waitsfield Village
See the Map!

West Hill Loop
This is a great add-on loop if you want to explore the beautiful landscape above Warren Village and back around via the Lincoln Gap Road. Consider making a side-trip “UP” the Lincoln Gap to check out this magnificent, steep passage over the Green Mountains. Don’t forget Lincoln Gap goes unplowed and is closed for the winter season!
See the Map!

East Warren Loop
This 10 mile loop delivers  long vistas and bucolic agricultural landscapes. If you can stop, park and stretch out those legs, this adventure has lots of places to enjoy a walk.
See the Map!

Northfield – Roxbury Route 12 Loop
The Northfield Mountains  create the eastern edge of the Mad River Valley. This 37 mile loop  goes over two of the gaps that criss-cross the range. It features stretches of the scenic Mad River Byway along the Mad River before it heads up and over to Northfield Falls,  the home to Vermont’s highest concentration of covered bridges. Other highlights include the tiny village of Roxbury, spectacular views from the top of Roxbury Gap and the bucolic scenery of East Warren. See the Map!

Covered Bridge Tours

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. Yup, our iconic covered bridges are certainly an attraction and the MRV has more than our fair share. Here are two tour options;

Local MRV Covered Bridge Tour
Starting on, well, Bridge Street in historic Waitsfield Village, this scenic drive takes you on a 12 mile trip that encompasses 3 bridges. The Great Eddy, the Pine Brook and Warren Village covered bridges.
See the Map!

The Full Monty
This ever-popular driving tour delivers 7 Bridges in just under 40 miles with spectacular scenery along the way. This tour will take you “off-the-beaten-path” to discover some places, experiences and views most visitors will never see.
See the Map!

Scenic Byways

Mad River Scenic Byway
The Mad River Byway is a 35 mile foray through the heart of Vermont, passing around or through lovely and lively downtowns, farms, famous ski areas (Sugarbush and Mad River Glen), and historic sites.  See the drive virtually in this video. A pleasant walk along the Mad River is accessible via the well-planned, mapped, and landscaped Mad River Path with many access points along the way.