Hancock and Mad River Valley
HIKES
A quick .5 mile, hike on the Long Trail, past the chairlifts at Snow Bowl to an idyllic alpine lake.
Rocks along the western shore are prefect for lunch, hanging out and swimming! ONLY 5 MINUTES to the trailhead at Middlebury Gap!
If you are here in Hancock, you should go.
Pleiad Lake
A quick .5 mile, hike on the Long Trail, past the chairlifts at Snow Bowl to an idyllic alpine lake.
Rocks along the western shore are prefect for lunch, hanging out and swimming! ONLY 5 MINUTES to the trailhead at Middlebury Gap!
If you are here in Hancock, you should go.
Just over in Ripton, this trail takes you thru the National Forest up to the lodge on the ridge above the pond. EXCELLENT!
Skylight Pond Trail
3563 Steam Mill RdJust over in Ripton, this trail takes you thru the National Forest up to the lodge on the ridge above the pond. EXCELLENT!
Mount Abraham (Vermont)
Vermont's 4th highest peak with 360 views up top!
A moderate, breathtaking hike, with the reward of some of the best sunsets.
Hike the Long Trail SOUTH off of Lincoln Gap Road.
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Sunset Ledge Trail Head
3573 Lincoln Gap RdA moderate, breathtaking hike, with the reward of some of the best sunsets.
Hike the Long Trail SOUTH off of Lincoln Gap Road.
Things to Do
A few of our favorite things in the region.
100% worth the tour over to Bristol!
One of the best swimming holes in the whole state!
Be safe, be aware of the conditions and water depths.
But be sure to check out the cave behind the falls!
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Bristol Falls a.k.a. Bartlett Falls
23-655 Lincoln Rd100% worth the tour over to Bristol!
One of the best swimming holes in the whole state!
Be safe, be aware of the conditions and water depths.
But be sure to check out the cave behind the falls!
Ever wanna try your hand at ceramics? This is the place!
Workshops at all levels are offered here for all ages.
There's a retail space in the front selling locally made ceramics and crafts.
Blockhouse workshops are an excellent alternative to hitting the slopes!
My friend Pam runs this place, tell I said hello!
Blockhouse Studio
5031 Main StEver wanna try your hand at ceramics? This is the place!
Workshops at all levels are offered here for all ages.
There's a retail space in the front selling locally made ceramics and crafts.
Blockhouse workshops are an excellent alternative to hitting the slopes!
My friend Pam runs this place, tell I said hello!
We recently discovered this AMAZING art space.
With a most interesting back story, the Bundy is an art Gallery and sculpture garden, housed in mid-century modern architecture, 1960s style on an unassuming hill in Waitsfield.
You would never suspect this place is up there and you will be pleasantly surprised when you go find it!
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The Bundy Modern
361 Bundy RdWe recently discovered this AMAZING art space.
With a most interesting back story, the Bundy is an art Gallery and sculpture garden, housed in mid-century modern architecture, 1960s style on an unassuming hill in Waitsfield.
You would never suspect this place is up there and you will be pleasantly surprised when you go find it!
An amazing waterfall and popular swimming hole.
It's generally quite busy in summer months.
Pro-tip: park down the road past the guardrail on the northbound side of VT-100.
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Warren Falls
3919 Vermont Rte 100An amazing waterfall and popular swimming hole.
It's generally quite busy in summer months.
Pro-tip: park down the road past the guardrail on the northbound side of VT-100.
Road side beauty!
EASY ACCESS!
A wooden boardwalk takes you right up to the waterfall!
A five minute stop is Instagram gold!
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Moss Glen Falls
Road side beauty!
EASY ACCESS!
A wooden boardwalk takes you right up to the waterfall!
A five minute stop is Instagram gold!
JUST A MILE UP THE ROAD!!
This is a well maintained, easy trail system surrounding the Texas Falls gorge complex.
Amazing and safe waterfall views over a new bridge and trails that lead up into the National Forest.
The road is dotted with picnic tables, grills, toilets and a pavilion.
In summer months the forest road takes you up to primitive camping and alpine meadows!
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Texas Falls
JUST A MILE UP THE ROAD!!
This is a well maintained, easy trail system surrounding the Texas Falls gorge complex.
Amazing and safe waterfall views over a new bridge and trails that lead up into the National Forest.
The road is dotted with picnic tables, grills, toilets and a pavilion.
In summer months the forest road takes you up to primitive camping and alpine meadows!
Is there anything more VERMONT than Ben and Jerry's?
Take the tour, have a cone, you won't regret, even if some of the family in the car thinks it's "lame or whatever."
Nope.
It's awesome and it's classic!
Do it.
Who doesn't love ice cream?
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Ben & Jerry's
1281 Vermont Rte 100Is there anything more VERMONT than Ben and Jerry's?
Take the tour, have a cone, you won't regret, even if some of the family in the car thinks it's "lame or whatever."
Nope.
It's awesome and it's classic!
Do it.
Who doesn't love ice cream?
REAL LIVE VERMONTERS! Boasts the sign out front.
Cold Hollow is a one stop shop for all of the little jars Vermont foods and that maple cutting board you've been meaning to grab!
Admittedly it's a bit of a tourist trap, but even I can't resist their fresh cider and maple mustard!
If you're cruising up to Stowe, this is a must-stop.
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Cold Hollow Cider Mill
3600 Waterbury-Stowe RdREAL LIVE VERMONTERS! Boasts the sign out front.
Cold Hollow is a one stop shop for all of the little jars Vermont foods and that maple cutting board you've been meaning to grab!
Admittedly it's a bit of a tourist trap, but even I can't resist their fresh cider and maple mustard!
If you're cruising up to Stowe, this is a must-stop.
FOOD
Our favorite eats around here.
The Mad Taco is labeled as a Mexican restaurant, but it's so much more. Offering Vermont-ified versions of Mexican classics, with meats they smoke on site and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. (I highly recommend the roasted yam and black bean tacos!)
With a wide array of local beers, this is the perfect, laid back stop after a day on the mountain.
My buddy Nate runs this place, tell him I told ya to stop by!
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The Mad Taco
5101 Main StThe Mad Taco is labeled as a Mexican restaurant, but it's so much more. Offering Vermont-ified versions of Mexican classics, with meats they smoke on site and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. (I highly recommend the roasted yam and black bean tacos!)
With a wide array of local beers, this is the perfect, laid back stop after a day on the mountain.
My buddy Nate runs this place, tell him I told ya to stop by!
The real deal, right here. You've seen the pies in your freezer section, but this is the originale!
Hang by the fire with your pie and pint, or take a slice on a walk along the Mad River, running right along the property!
This place was an instant Vermont Classic the moment they opened their doors almost 40 years ago!
Laid out across the Lareau Farm it has all the Vermont-i-ness you can stand. Delicious, local foods, local beers, a cold clean river, all set against big red barns!
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American Flatbread
46 Lareau RdThe real deal, right here. You've seen the pies in your freezer section, but this is the originale!
Hang by the fire with your pie and pint, or take a slice on a walk along the Mad River, running right along the property!
This place was an instant Vermont Classic the moment they opened their doors almost 40 years ago!
Laid out across the Lareau Farm it has all the Vermont-i-ness you can stand. Delicious, local foods, local beers, a cold clean river, all set against big red barns!
Hands down this is the best supermarket in the area.
They have everything 'regular and normal' and a bunch of excellent Vermont products and even "hippie food" too!
You can get organic cucumbers, bulk almonds and soy milk, but you can also get regular Cheerios, frozen pizzas, beer and a bag of chips here!
The deli and prepared food section has excellent lunch foods and tubs of great snackables.
The cheese selection is amazingly well curated.
AND... it's the local liquor store with a very nice wine and beer selection!
100% best grocery store in all of Vermont!
Two thumbs up!
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Mehuron's Supermarket
5121 Main StHands down this is the best supermarket in the area.
They have everything 'regular and normal' and a bunch of excellent Vermont products and even "hippie food" too!
You can get organic cucumbers, bulk almonds and soy milk, but you can also get regular Cheerios, frozen pizzas, beer and a bag of chips here!
The deli and prepared food section has excellent lunch foods and tubs of great snackables.
The cheese selection is amazingly well curated.
AND... it's the local liquor store with a very nice wine and beer selection!
100% best grocery store in all of Vermont!
Two thumbs up!
CHUCK FULL OF DELICIOUS LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK!
Make sure to get a cheesey breadstick at the checkout!
Have a listen to the local radio station based upstairs while enjoying your lunch!
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East Warren Community Market
42 Roxbury Mountain RdCHUCK FULL OF DELICIOUS LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK!
Make sure to get a cheesey breadstick at the checkout!
Have a listen to the local radio station based upstairs while enjoying your lunch!
AWESOME SANDWICHES!
Oh and the river side patio is pretty good too!
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Warren Store
284 Main StAWESOME SANDWICHES!
Oh and the river side patio is pretty good too!
Yut. Natural Foods!
Good deli and prepared section!
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Middlebury Natural Foods Co-Op
9 Washington StYut. Natural Foods!
Good deli and prepared section!
A local gem for sure.
After a day at Sugarbush or Mad River, they may be no better apres ski!
The food is excellent, the beer selection is on point and they are always playing sweet reggae jams!
With plenty of room for groups, shuffle board and an air hockey table it's a proper good time around here.
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Mad River Barn
2849 Mill Brook RdA local gem for sure.
After a day at Sugarbush or Mad River, they may be no better apres ski!
The food is excellent, the beer selection is on point and they are always playing sweet reggae jams!
With plenty of room for groups, shuffle board and an air hockey table it's a proper good time around here.
Best BBQ in the area and an AMAZING beer selection.
(Plenty of veggie options too! Don't be fooled by the BBQ moniker, this place is great for everybody!)
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Prohibition Pig
23 S Main StBest BBQ in the area and an AMAZING beer selection.
(Plenty of veggie options too! Don't be fooled by the BBQ moniker, this place is great for everybody!)
Best bread and bakery in Vermont, in my oh-so-humble opinion, worth the ride over to Middlesex on a weekend morning, to be sure.
Excellent breakfast and sandwich options, with a large, fun backyard with ample seating with art and murals!
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Red Hen Baking
961 US-2Best bread and bakery in Vermont, in my oh-so-humble opinion, worth the ride over to Middlesex on a weekend morning, to be sure.
Excellent breakfast and sandwich options, with a large, fun backyard with ample seating with art and murals!
Classic Vermont dishes and unique homespun recipes with local sourced and often foraged ingredients.
My good friends David and his son Dre own this place, tell them I sent ya!
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Pauline’s Cafe & Restaurant
1834 Shelburne RdClassic Vermont dishes and unique homespun recipes with local sourced and often foraged ingredients.
My good friends David and his son Dre own this place, tell them I sent ya!
Best restaurant in the valley!
A Vermont take on comfort food and southern soul food.
They have a great selection of wines and beers and good cocktails.
The place is delicious, and we highly recommend it.
It's only 10 minutes from the house!
Get a seat on the porch!
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Maple Soul
13 School StBest restaurant in the valley!
A Vermont take on comfort food and southern soul food.
They have a great selection of wines and beers and good cocktails.
The place is delicious, and we highly recommend it.
It's only 10 minutes from the house!
Get a seat on the porch!
Breweries
Some of our favorite local beers.
The Alchemist
100 Cottage Club RdHEADY TOPPER ON DRAFT AND TO GO!
Enough said.
Like hard ciders?
They literally make all of them here.
European standards and local favorites alike.
Stop in for a pint at the bar, take away or visit the extensive VT gift shop.
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Woodchuck® Cider
1321 Exchange StLike hard ciders?
They literally make all of them here.
European standards and local favorites alike.
Stop in for a pint at the bar, take away or visit the extensive VT gift shop.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
155 Carroll RdSKIING & SNOWBOARDING
Nearby ski areas.
Arguably the best ski resort in the East.
But I am biased, eh?
I grew up on this mountain!
No less the terrain at Sugarbush is all-time and somewhat of a hidden gem.
Hitting a mid-week powder day up here, is something you'll bring home and talk about for years!
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Sugarbush Resort
102 Forest DrArguably the best ski resort in the East.
But I am biased, eh?
I grew up on this mountain!
No less the terrain at Sugarbush is all-time and somewhat of a hidden gem.
Hitting a mid-week powder day up here, is something you'll bring home and talk about for years!
A local favorite, prefect for kids or a lighter day.
I rode here nearly everyday in the late 90s, and recently re-discovered it. And I feel back in love.
The woods are wide open here, the trees are well spaced and the crew has done an excellent job of cleaning it out and marking terrain.
Generally, it's quiet, with no lift lines.
A much cheaper option to bigger mountains, but with all of smiles and hoots!
For kids and families, this is maybe one of the greatest places to spend your ski-day!
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Middlebury College Snow Bowl
6886 Vermont Rte 125A local favorite, prefect for kids or a lighter day.
I rode here nearly everyday in the late 90s, and recently re-discovered it. And I feel back in love.
The woods are wide open here, the trees are well spaced and the crew has done an excellent job of cleaning it out and marking terrain.
Generally, it's quiet, with no lift lines.
A much cheaper option to bigger mountains, but with all of smiles and hoots!
For kids and families, this is maybe one of the greatest places to spend your ski-day!
What to say, a Vermont big mountain ski and snowboard experience!
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Killington Ski Area
What to say, a Vermont big mountain ski and snowboard experience!
I'm at a bit of a loss for words here, as a snowboarder, I am not allowed to ride here.
Mad River Glen has had a staunch, and frankly outdated ban on snowboarding since the 1980s, so I've never been.
But all my skier friends seem to like it, eh?
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Mad River Glen Ski Area Historic District
35-1 Schuss PassI'm at a bit of a loss for words here, as a snowboarder, I am not allowed to ride here.
Mad River Glen has had a staunch, and frankly outdated ban on snowboarding since the 1980s, so I've never been.
But all my skier friends seem to like it, eh?
Nordic Skiing, Fatbiking and Snowshoeing a stone's throw away!
Located at Middlebury's Breadload Campus, Rikert is one of Vermont's best nordic centers. The trails system is vast, well maintained and opens early!
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Rikert Nordic Center
106 College Cross RdNordic Skiing, Fatbiking and Snowshoeing a stone's throw away!
Located at Middlebury's Breadload Campus, Rikert is one of Vermont's best nordic centers. The trails system is vast, well maintained and opens early!
City/town information
Cool towns and villages in the area.
It's quaint and great.
One of the most picturesque towns around.
On Main St., you'll find retail boutiques and a couple good restaurants. Like The Emerald Rose and the Bobcat.
Above town, north on 116, on the way up to Lincoln, are some of the best swimming holes in all of New England!
If you ask some locals, while sipping your coffee in front of the bakery, they might even tell you were some of 'em are!
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Bristol
It's quaint and great.
One of the most picturesque towns around.
On Main St., you'll find retail boutiques and a couple good restaurants. Like The Emerald Rose and the Bobcat.
Above town, north on 116, on the way up to Lincoln, are some of the best swimming holes in all of New England!
If you ask some locals, while sipping your coffee in front of the bakery, they might even tell you were some of 'em are!
This is just a great mountain village, you'll pass thru on the way up to Lincoln Gap, Mount Abraham trailhead and points on the Long Trail.
Check out the founding Quaker's Park, Sun Ray Peace Village and look out for some great swimming spots!
Lincoln
This is just a great mountain village, you'll pass thru on the way up to Lincoln Gap, Mount Abraham trailhead and points on the Long Trail.
Check out the founding Quaker's Park, Sun Ray Peace Village and look out for some great swimming spots!
One of Vermont's most bucolic villages, Middlebury, is full of great shops, restaurants and galleries.
With a gorgeous waterfall on the Otter Creek, running right thru the middle of town and streets lined with marble, it's absolutely beautiful.
If you visit, allow for sometime to walk down thru Marble Works and across the foot bridge, into Frog Hollow!
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Middlebury
One of Vermont's most bucolic villages, Middlebury, is full of great shops, restaurants and galleries.
With a gorgeous waterfall on the Otter Creek, running right thru the middle of town and streets lined with marble, it's absolutely beautiful.
If you visit, allow for sometime to walk down thru Marble Works and across the foot bridge, into Frog Hollow!
Remember Rivendell from Lord of the Rings?
Warren is sort of the colonial New England version of that, complete with a covered bridge, an old mill site and an old river side inn, it's one of the most scenic villages in the Green Mountains.
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Warren
Remember Rivendell from Lord of the Rings?
Warren is sort of the colonial New England version of that, complete with a covered bridge, an old mill site and an old river side inn, it's one of the most scenic villages in the Green Mountains.
Tipps für Reisende
Nützliche Sätze
YUT!
This is Vermontese for the affirmative. Yes, yup, uh-huh...YUT!
Nützliche Sätze
Jeezum Crow!
Used as an alternative to "taking the lord's name in vein" JEEZUM CROW is an exclamation used for excitement or disbelief.
Nützliche Sätze
Montpelier
The French pronunciation didn't stick.
The capital of Vermont is Montpelier...
...but we say it MON-PEEL-y-ER.
Or make it easy, with no mistakes, say it like a local "MONT'P!"
Nützliche Sätze
Northeast Kingdom (The NEK)
The upper, northeastern corner of Vermont is referred to as THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM or the N.E.K.
The border is a little loose; changes depending on who you're talkin' to, but parts of Washington, Orleans, Caledonia county are included, and all of Essex county.
Notable spots up there are Lake Willoughby, Fairbanks Museum, Sterling College, Bread and Puppet's Farm / Theatre and Hill Farmstead Brewery.
Was einpacken?
The Weather changes every five minutes!
This is an old saying around here for a reason. It's true. Vermont weather is fairly unpredictable. Seasonal to be sure, but variable none the less. If it's winter and your wondering if you should bring those extra thick socks or that ridiculous puffy coat - DO IT!
In summer, if you leave the house, bring a rain coat on a sunny day!
Verkehrsmittel
Subarus and 4x4s, or at least all seasons.
The road crews around Vermont do a superb job of keeping the roads plowed in winter and filling the pot holes come summer. But they can't be everywhere at once.
If you plan to be around from November to May, do know snow and changing weather conditions often make the road conditions slick.
If you are traveling on dirt roads in the region, no matter the season, take it easy.