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Vermont: Cruise the coast of a stunning lake
From mountains to lakes to maple trees, the Green Mountain State showcases quintessential New England scenery in a big way. Make a toast to Lake Champlain and find out what makes this region so special.
60.4 miles, 1 hour, 45 minutes
1. Georgia
Starting Point
This quaint village offers numerous opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. Walking trails are prolific and provide hikers with the chance to go bird watching, identify a diversity of wildflowers and plants, and photograph wildlife. Mill River rushes through the pines to cascade into a waterfall that plunges into a small bedrock gorge; the area is comprised of 35 acres, including delta lands, which are protected for wildlife habitat.
2. South Hero Island
18.6 miles, 27 minutes
Leave your troubles on the mainland, because South Hero Island, located on Lake Champlain, is home to Grand Isle State Park, with more 4,000 feet of shoreline and lots of outdoor recreation. Fishermen will delight as they angle for more than 80 species of fish, including largemouth bass and rainbow trout. The town of South Hero is a bucolic community featuring farm tours, apple cider and quaint vineyards. While on the island, keep an eye out for “Champ,” the Lake Champlain monster, which has been sighted hereabouts since 1609.
3. Burlington
19 miles, 29 minutes
Vermont’s largest city hums with the edgy sophistication of a cosmopolitan center along with a healthy dose of New England charm. Spend a day browsing boutiques, searching for antiques or shopping at the Church Street Marketplace. Connect with nature along the shores of Lake Champlain; water-skiing, swimming, boating and sailing are perfect options for fun. Landlubbers can hike a woodland trail or bike the Island Line Rail Trail, which is dotted with wineries, orchards and scenic views. Grab a tasty scoop at Ben & Jerry’s Davis Center, which features of exhibits devoted to the local entrepreneurs who launched their ice cream empire here in 1978 in a renovated gas station.
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4. Shelburne
7.2 miles, 20 minutes
At the Shelburne Museum, visitors can immerse themselves in American history and art. The unique complex offers a chance to step back in time and watch blacksmithing and weaving demonstrations. Step onto the opulent Ticonderoga, a luxury steamboat that sailed the waters of Lake Champlain until mid-century. “All aboard” Locomotive 220, the “Train of Presidents” for a view of the Grand Isle private rail car that offered lavish railroad travel in the 1890s. Walk across a rare, two-lane covered bridge spanning 168 feet, and then stroll through more than 20 gardens with scenic walking paths and trails.
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5. Vergennes
15.6 miles, 29 minutes
Pay a visit to Vermont’s smallest and oldest town, where 19th century architecture lends a charming ambience to this New England village. Much of the town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Vergennes Historic District is composed of 72 buildings, including four 19th-century churches, a Romanesque opera house, the train station and the Bixby Memorial Library, which boasts a central rotunda and stained glass dome. The Residential Historic District is made up of 97 beautifully restored homes constructed in the Federalist, Italianate and French Second Empire styles offering us a glimpse into a gentler, quieter time.