[rootsandwings]

Hi folks,
We are headed to central Vermont for a few days in early July and would love your advice on where to find the best places to hike, swim, and canoe/kayak. We're a family of five (kids are 14, 12, and 9). Really trying to avoid the tourist traps and just spend some quality time in nature. We'll be staying in Granville and are wanting to check out the Mad River Valley, Middlebury, and Montpelier areas. Ulterior motive of the trip is to convince our kids that Vermont is way better than Houston (shouldn't be too hard right!?) as we are hoping to move there within the next year. My youngest really wants to visit a farm or two as well so any suggestions about that would be great too.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by rootsandwings

Hi folks,
We are headed to central Vermont for a few days in early July and would love your advice on where to find the best places to hike, swim, and canoe/kayak. We're a family of five (kids are 14, 12, and 9). Really trying to avoid the tourist traps and just spend some quality time in nature. We'll be staying in Granville and are wanting to check out the Mad River Valley, Middlebury, and Montpelier areas. Ulterior motive of the trip is to convince our kids that Vermont is way better than Houston (shouldn't be too hard right!?) as we are hoping to move there within the next year. My youngest really wants to visit a farm or two as well so any suggestions about that would be great too.

This is one of my favorite spots in the state. Bartlett/Bristol Falls.

If you are in the Mad River Valley go to Warren, I recommend stopping at The Warren Store for a sandwich, then over the Lincoln Gap into Bristol. You'll see cars parked along Lincoln Road, I like the middle section. Even if it's crowded on a hot day, there are so many big rocks you can find your own niche for privacy. Depending on rock placement, you can sit in still water or racing water.





Bristol Falls Swimming Hole - Bristol, VT



Rocks can be slick! Bring waterproof footwear that provides traction

[68vette]

For Central Vermont you have to stop at the Floating Bridge on Sunset lake in Brookfield. Brookfield Floating Bridge Brookfield, Vermont, New England, USA I lived in Brookfield for about ten years and I miss this spot more than anything else in the area. You can canoe/kyake, swim and there aren't many trails in the area, but there are endless miles of little travled dirt roads and farm galore.

[rootsandwings]

Thanks quickdraw and 68vette. Exactly the kind of info. I was hoping to get! Those falls are beautiful and my kids are gonna love walking behind the waterfall. And how cool is the floating bridge.

[joe moving]

what kind of hikes do you like? how hard or long i guess

i always like parking at the top of the appalachian gap, then going on the long trail south to the warming hut or starks nest at mad river glen. It is a good 1, or 2 hours each way respectively I'd say with nice views but it is not an easy hike.

Could also go up the access road at mt ellen...or sugarbush.

there's also warren falls... maybe 1-2 mile south on route 100 on the right hand side if you're headed south.

[rootsandwings]

We're novice hikers (there are no mountains in our neck of the woods ), but all of like a challenge. So, probably moderate in terms of difficulty. Of course, my teens would vote for difficult all the way! Time/distance wise, if the views are worth it and there's somewhere to cool off on the way up or down, we don't mind spending a few hours on a trail.

[jackmccullough]

As far as I know the Floating Bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic for a couple of years. It's fallen into disrepair and is no longer buoyant enough to support the weight of a car, although it may still be open to pedestrians.

For hikes I would suggest Spruce Mountain (http://http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGN202-039 - broken link), Mount Hunger (http://http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=XTM006-016 - broken link), or Mount Elmore (http://http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGN095-048 - broken link). They should be manageable for people who don't have a lot of mountain hiking experience, and Spruce and Elmore both have fire towers on top. For something more challenging there are several routes up Camel's Hump, which is beloved in Vermont both because it is the tallest undeveloped mountain in the state and because it is recognizable from miles around.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by rootsandwings

We're novice hikers (there are no mountains in our neck of the woods ), but all of like a challenge. So, probably moderate in terms of difficulty. Of course, my teens would vote for difficult all the way! Time/distance wise, if the views are worth it and there's somewhere to cool off on the way up or down, we don't mind spending a few hours on a trail.

My only complaint about hiking in Vermont is that a high percentage of hikes
are on rocks, large and small. I used to enjoy moderate hikes in the midwest
while walking on dirt and looking around at the scenery. Here, it seems like my head is always down, analyzing my next step. Thinking where to put my foot on the next rock so it won't tip over. Makes wet hikes a bit more risky too.

[Sherylcatmom]

I love hiking uphill. It feels good on my body and I step confidently. (We're not talking climbing, but hiking.) For some reason, downhill feels difficult to me. I have rotten depth perception and I'm always misjudging my footing. Wish I could hike uphill both ways. :-)

Originally Posted by quickdraw

My only complaint about hiking in Vermont is that a high percentage of hikes
are on rocks, large and small. I used to enjoy moderate hikes in the midwest
while walking on dirt and looking around at the scenery. Here, it seems like my head is always down, analyzing my next step. Thinking where to put my foot on the next rock so it won't tip over. Makes wet hikes a bit more risky too.

[joe moving]

i hate it too.. going downhill. This is why i love skinning on skis.best of both worlds!