4 Days / 3 Nights | Rating: Intermediate | Start / End: Burlington, VT
- E-bikes Available
Settle in for a long weekend featuring the very best Fall Foliage. Sojourn’s Vermont Fall Foliage Weekend Bike Tour will take you from the rolling Green Mountains to the pristine banks of Lake Champlain, all on quiet country roads painted with a thousand shades of red, orange, and yellow. Ride through picturesque countryside and explore quaint villages in one of the most beautiful states in the country. Valley farmland offers miles of gently rolling terrain, and mountain foothills are close enough to provide challenging options for those who want them. Enjoy a stay at the renowned Hotel Vermont. Ride through Burlington on the Island Line. This former rail route enables cyclists to ride along Lake Champlain to a causeway which stretches deep into the lake with spectacular views for the mountains on either side.
Indulge yourself at the Topnotch Resort and Spa, a luxurious oasis on a hillside overlooking Vermont’s tallest mountain. Ride up the legendary switchbacks of Smuggler’s Notch, which offer a swirling tunnel of color during Foliage season. We hope you will join us for a weekend foliage adventure in our backyard and discover this wonderful state that we are proud to call home.
Travel the Sojourn Style
EXPERIENCES, NOT BIKE TOURS
While we love our cycling, it makes up only one facet of what a true Sojourn trip entails. We believe in immersing ourselves in local cultures and discovering the hidden gems of the world.
REGIONAL PLANNING SPECIALISTS
From Vietnam to France to Glacier National Park, we are committed to offering exceptional trips in regions with which we are deeply familiar. We personally design and operate each of our trips.
PREMIER ACCOMMODATIONS
We carefully select from some of World’s renowned hotels. From highly reviewed and acclaimed Hotel de Londres in San Sebastian, Spain or the Reverie Saigon, Vietnam, one of the leading hotels in the World.
UNWAVERING ATTENTION TO SERVICE
Our commitment to provide you with unwavering service starts from the moment you first interact with the Sojourn team. We believe the little details matter and make the Sojourn vacation a life-list worthy experience for our guests.
PROFESSIONAL TRIP LEADERS
Gracious, engaging, and intelligent, our expert team of tour leaders consist of professionals from all walks of life and make exceptional travel companions. Always a step ahead, they are adept at everything from spinning wrenches to whipping up fabulous picnic lunches.
YOUR VACATION, YOUR PACE
We believe that at the end of the day, you are at the helm of your own vacation. We offer an array of day-to-day options to enable you to approach each day at your own pace.
Day 1
Your leaders will pick you up in Burlington and shuttle you down to the Topnotch. After a quick bike fitting and orientation, you will have the opportunity to do a short loop to introduce you to the area’s quiet country roads. Enjoy your first dinner of the trip at the resort as you ease into your weekend adventure.
LODGING:
Topnotch Resort and Spa
Stowe, VT
800-451-8686,
www.topnotchresort.com
Day 2
Today’s ride offers the greatest challenge of the week or you can opt for a more leisurely day at Topnotch where you might enjoy a walk along the river or indulge in world-class spa services. The notch through the Green Mountains was named for smugglers who, more than two centuries ago, used its caves and heavily forested slopes to hide illicit goods destined for Canada. These same caves were used in the reverse direction during the 1920s Prohibition era. Today, the narrow winding road that traverses Smuggler’s Notch is passable only between April and November. It’s a tough climb but the foliage lining the route is spectacular against the granite cliffs, and the downhill run on the opposite side is well worth the effort. In the village of Jeffersonville, you can visit award-winning Smuggler’s Notch Distillery or continue to Johnson for an array of woolens made at a family run mill operating since 1842.
GOOD TO KNOW
Every Sojourn trip is different in their own unique ways. We want you to be aware of them so that you can only have the best experiences possible. Please know, whichever trip you choose we are committed to make it the trip of a lifetime!
Enjoy a section of the newly-finished Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and stop for a sample of local craft beer at a local brewery before finishing the grand loop back to Topnotch.
LODGING:
Topnotch Resort and Spa
Stowe, VT
800-451-8686,
www.topnotchresort.com
CYCLING OPTIONS:
43 Miles
Day 3
Today’s ride winds its way through farmland and small villages from Waterbury, the town next to Stowe to the bustling city of Burlington, also known as the “Queen City” of Vermont. Roll west along the Winooski River—the largest tributary watershed flowing into Lake Champlain. 10,000 years ago, the land along the banks of the river was like Arctic tundra and hunters tracked caribou, wooly mammoths, and mastodons.
KEEPING YOU POSTED
We’re constantly looking for ways to enhance our trips. We’ll do our best to notify you of any changes in this itinerary. Other changes may be communicated to you on the trip by your leaders.
Visit the Old Round Church, a sixteen-sided round structure built in 1813 and considered to be one of the first community churches in the country and continue into Burlington on a bike path, to the iconic Hotel Vermont. Join us for a farewell dinner tonight.
LODGING:
Hotel Vermont
41 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT
www.hotelvt.com
CYCLING OPTIONS:
44 Miles
Day 4
Today we ride north out of Burlington on the Island Line. This former rail route enables cyclists to ride along Lake Champlain through Burlington’s dynamic neighborhoods. The trail culminates in a gorgeous causeway which stretches far into lake Champlain, a perfect place to take in the Adirondacks to the West and the Green Mountains to the East. After completing the island line trail, the trip concludes at your leisure at Hotel Vermont.
MULTIPLE ROUTE OPTIONS
Itching for that EPIC (Extra Pedal if Crazy) ride? No problem, we’ll show you our favorite hills. Looking for more downtime? Your trip leaders will tell you the best days to take a break. All Sojourn tours have multiple route options to accommodate your riding skill or desires!
CYCLING OPTIONS:
32 Miles
Tour Accommodations
Hotel Vermont, Burlington, VT
Located in downtown Burlington near the shores of Lake Champlain - a rustic and modern hotel - the "Vermont Way" (1 Night)
41 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05401
www.hotelvt.com/ | 855.650.0080
Topnotch Resort and Spa, Stowe, VT
Majestic boutique hotel and spa nestled on 120 acres. Pool, sauna, full-service spa facility, restaurant, bistro/bar, bocce. (1 Night)
4000 Mountain Resort
Stowe, VT 05672
www.topnotchresort.com | 800.451.8686
Travel & Tour Quick Facts
| TOUR START | Day 1 at 12:30pm at Hotel Vermont, those driving to the tour should meet the leaders beforehand at Sojourn HQ at noon. |
| TOUR CONCLUSION | Sojourn will provide a group transfer to Burlington Airport or Hotel Vermont at 4:00pm or Sojourn HQ at 4:30pm. Departing flights should not be scheduled prior to 5:00pm. |
| TRAVEL TO/FROM TOUR | Fly into Burlington International Airport (BTV). Parking available at the Sojourn Office (please let us know beforehand if you are driving) |
| PRE/POST TOUR LODGING OPTION | Reserve directly through Hotel Vermont or another hotel in the downtown Burlington area |
| DAYS/NIGHTS | 4 Days / 3 Nights |
| INCLUDED MEALS | All breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners. |
| ACTIVITIES | Cycling, options for non-motorized watercraft, swimming, tennis, hiking and golf. |
| RATING | Intermediate - This tour is perfect for cyclists who do not mind a few gently rolling hills with some longer grades. Routes average 25- 50 miles a day over rolling terrain with longer options available. |
What’s Included?
| EQUIPMENT | Road or hybrid bike, helmet, rear light, seat bag for road bike or rack bag for hybrid/ E-Bike, phone holder, water bottle, sling backpack, and jersey. Bring clipless pedals, seat, or helmet for a more personalized fit. |
| VAN SUPPORT | Rides supported by a Sojourn van as well as a tour leader on a bicycle. |
| TOUR LEADERS | Two experienced tour leaders guide each trip from start to finish. |
| RIDE NOURISHMENT | A selection of snacks and refreshments are supplied throughout all rides. |
| RIDE INFORMATION | Detailed route directions, maps, downloadable GPS routes, and a daily briefing are provided. |
| OFFICE SUPPORT | At your service 9:00am – 6:00pm EST, Monday – Friday. 802-425-4771 |
| DETAILED INFORMATION | A full complement of detailed trip and travel information will be provided upon confirmation of reservation. |
| E-BIKES & TANDEMS | Limited Electric Assist Bikes are available on all tours. Tandems are also available on on our US and Canada tours for an additional fee. Call us at 1-802-425-4771 for details |
Weather
| Burlington, VT | Aug | Sep | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 80° | 68° | 59° |
| Low °F | 67° | 59° | 49° |
| Precip. Inches | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.6 |
WE’RE HAPPY TO CHAT!
Call: 802.425.4771
Write: info@gosojourn.com
Visit: GoSojourn.com
PRICES & SCHEDULE
All prices and schedules are subject to change at any time.
Click HERE to view the latest departure dates & prices.
