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Hike Vermont: Fall Foliage

Hike Vermont: Fall Foliage

From $ 5,055 AUD

Description

Regardless of whether you call it fall or autumn, you’ll be blown away by the changing colours of the Green Mountain State. This five-day hiking adventure will see you strolling through rolling farmland, reaching rarefied air as you ascend a 4000-footer, gazing into Canada on a clear day and enthusiastically chasing waterfalls. You’ll also be able to restock your energy levels with stops at a maple farm, the Ben and Jerry’s factory and a cider mill, meaning you won’t be far from a sweet treat to reward the days’ efforts.

Trip Name
Hike Vermont: Fall Foliage
Last Updated
2024-04-29
Days
5
Capacity
8
Highlights
  • Tackle a 4000-footer and (on clear days) be treated to views across state lines, maybe even as far as Canada!
  • Walk a few sections of the Long Trail – the oldest long-distance trail in the USA that spans the length of Vermont.
  • Start off your experience with a visit to a sustainable farm, getting to know your group over a picnic lunch.
  • Reward your hiking efforts with sweet stops at a maple farm and the Ben and Jerry’s factory, making sure to indulge in the free samples.
  • Take an afternoon to settle into the ski town Stowe, exploring its historic downtown and visiting one of its many local breweries, cideries or wineries.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. In order to travel on this trip, you: 1. Must be able to understand and recognize the risks and hazards inherent in the activities of the trip, must be able to decide to assume those risks and hazards and must actually and voluntarily assume those risks and hazards. 2. Must be able to withstand exposure to the outdoors including exposure to diverse climactic conditions during the trip, including temperatures ranging from below freezing to +100 degrees F, potentially rapidly changing precipitative conditions from dry conditions to precipitation including monsoons and flash floods, for the duration of the Program. 3. Must be able to monitor and evaluate changes in personal health condition including the onset of dehydration, hyponatremia, heat illness or stroke or hypothermia and must be able to communicate any changes in personal health condition or safety concerns to the guide(s). 4. Must be able to participate in all activities at the time scheduled for each activity; e.g. to beat the heat, guest pick-up and hike start times during summer months may range between 3-6 a.m. 5. Must be able to manage all personal care and mobility during extended periods of exertion of 10-plus hours per day, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device. 6. Must be able to enter and exit a multi-passenger vehicle either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 7. Must be able to withstand up to eight hours as a passenger in a multi-passenger vehicle, transporting up to 14 passengers at a time, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device. 8. Must be able to immediately comprehend and follow verbal instructions either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 9. Must be able to traverse wet and dry, sandy, rocky, uneven and/or unstable ground over a distance of 10-plus miles per day including elevation differential (gain and/or loss) of +3,000 feet per day, for a period of up to 10 hours per day, while carrying: a) BACKPACKING/BACKCOUNTRY TRIPS- a backpack weighing 25-50 pounds, b) FRONTCOUNTRY/LODGE, BASECAMP AND INN-BASED TRIPS - a fully loaded backpack weighing 10-15 pounds, either independently or with an assistance companion or an approved assistive device. 10. Must be able to self-manage and self-navigate unsupervised while in the designated camp area either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 11. Must be able to perform basic camping activities including sleeping on the ground, consuming water from back country sources, consuming food prepared in a backcountry setting and maintaining personal health and hygiene in accordance with guide directives either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. The use of an assistive device to meet any element of the essential eligibility criteria must be approved in advance by Intrepid Travel.

Day 1 - Burlington to Warren
Welcome to Burlington! Your adventure will begin with an important welcome meeting at your hotel. It’s recommended that you arrive a day or two early, giving you a chance to stroll through Oakledge Park or the Church Street Marketplace. Once you’ve joined up with your group, you’ll head out to do a comfortable walk around a sustainable farm on the shores of Lake Champlain. There, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch with views of Lone Tree Hill, Sheep’s Knoll and Butternut Hill. After lunch, drive to Warren, with a quick pit stop at one of the region’s iconic covered bridges. When you’ve checked into your lodgings, head to a group dinner at a local restaurant to end the day.
Day 2 - Warren
After breakfast, head out for a double dose of hiking. While the Long Trail spans the length of Vermont, today you’ll only have to tackle a section on the flanks of Mount Grant. Stopping at a ledge offering views of Mount Mansfield, the state’s highest peak, you’ll have a picnic lunch before heading back to your vehicle. Your next stop will be a serene lake and waterfall, where you’ll be free to go for a refreshing swim if desired. To end the day on a sweet note you’ll visit a maple farm, where you’ll be given a tour and a chance to sample the wares.
Day 3 - Stowe
Today’s a peak for many travellers! You’ll be tackling Mount Abraham, one of the five ‘4000-footers’ found in Vermont. While the walk will start out easy, it will get steep and narrow as you near the summit, so prepare for your mettle to be tested! The view at the top will be more than worth your while, as on a clear day you can see Mount Mansfield to the north, Mount Washington (New Hampshire’s highest peak) to the east, and maybe even Canada! If visibility is limited, you’ll still be able to bask in the glow of the dense surrounding forest. Descending past calming creeks, there’ll be another sweet treat waiting for you after the day’s efforts – namely a trip to the Ben and Jerry’s factory. Go on a tour of the iconic ice cream maker’s factory and be sure to have a taster or two.
Day 4 - Stowe
After the efforts of the previous days, today will get off to a relaxing start. Enjoy a big breakfast followed by a short wander to the Moss Glen Falls – a photographer’s favourite! Drive along the stunning Stowe Scenic Auto Road on your way to the top of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest mountain. There, you’ll again hike along the Long Trail to the top of the Chin, Vermont’s highest point. It’ll make for a lunch spot like no other, as you pause for a picnic and soak in the awe-inspiring views. Head back to Stowe, where the afternoon is all yours. Feel free to wander around the historic downtown, settle in at a local brewery, cidery or winery or soar through the sky with an optional a canopy zipline.
Day 5 - Stowe to Burlington
The final hike of your Vermont voyage takes you along the Pinnacle Trail to Stowe Pinnacle, providing a viewpoint that’ll give you room to reflect on just how far you’ve come. You’ll be able to scan the skyline for Mount Mansfield, Camel’s Hump and the Worcester and Sterling Mountain Ranges, taking in the awe-inspiring magic of the Green Mountains. When you’re ready you’ll head back down and find a spot for a picnic lunch. Ease into the end of your adventure with a stop at a cider mill, where you can toast your terrestrial triumphs with a glass of apple cider or satiate a sweet tooth with some baked goods. Then, head back to Burlington, where your adventure will end. If you’d like to spend more time here, just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
23-09-202427-09-2024AUD $ 5,055-
29-09-202403-10-2024AUD $ 5,055-
01-10-202405-10-2024AUD $ 5,055-
07-10-202411-10-2024AUD $ 5,055-

Accommodation

Inn (4 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map