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Getting settled in a new country takes quite a long time.
We’re slowly setting down more permanent roots and before setting off on our leaf peeping adventures through New England, decided to buy some bikes.
We love exploring by bikes as a family.
Riding the Stowe Recreation path in Vermont made me so happy with our decision. It was a sublime half day adventure to have as a family and is one of the most popular attractions in Stowe.
Where is Stowe?
We had never heard of it until our community told us Stowe was a must not miss destination in the state of Vermont.
Stowe is a charming village near Mt Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont. (We hiked to the top of Mount Mansfield, Vermont)
The church steeples and colonial style houses dusted in snow makes Stowe look like it sprung out from the pages of a children’s Christmas story.
Stowe’s proximity to the mountains means it is action packed full of hiking, biking and skiing adventures at any time of the year.
We’ll share more with you on things to do in Stowe in a later post.
For now, let’s share the family friendly Stowe Recreation path – you can walk it, bike it, or even snowshoe it in the winter!
The Stowe Recreation Path
The Stowe Recreation path begins behind the community church on the main street of town and winds for 5.5 miles alongside the West Branch River, through forests of orange and gold (in the Fall) and open farmland.
The trail crosses the creek over wooded bridges at 10 different places along the route.
Along the way there are benches and picnic areas.
At several points, there are places for wading in the river during the summer months. It was a little too chilly for swimming on our bike ride.
Savannah loses the training wheels
It was only two days before riding this trail that Savannah mastered a bike without training wheels for the first time.
She wasn’t in complete control of the bike and there is no way she would have ridden 5.5 miles on her own bike. Our friend, Rina, had a tag along she no longer uses which she gave to us before this trip.
The tag along is attached at the back of Craig’s bike.
We first tried it on a small bike ride through the town of Manchester Vermont. Even though she is on the back of Craig’s bike it still requires balancing and pedaling. We were worried she might fall off, but she handled it brilliantly.
It was so wonderful to experience the joy she felt at accomplishing a huge goal and overcoming her fear, as she was really worried about getting on the bike.
After that moment, she was begging us every day to go bike riding. She was thrilled when we told her we’d be doing the 11 mile return ride along the Stowe Recreation Path.
Now we know we can explore further on bikes as a family (and we biked a few days later in the Franconia State Park in the White Mountains for New Hampshire. )
Back to the Stowe Recreation Path
We started the bike ride with overcast skies and by the time we hit the Farmer’s Market 15 minutes later the sky was out and our sweaters off.
It was a gorgeous warm Fall day and the colors were sparkling.
We love a Farmers Market so were stoked to jump off the bikes for a shaved ice, a fresh juice and a wander. The markets are only on a Sunday, so if you want to experience it come then.
The Alchemist Brewery, across the street, however is closed on a Sunday.
So take your pick as to what you want to experience more. I was disappointed we missed the brewery as it is home to the Heady Topper, voted as the best beer in the USA, someone even told us the world, but I think that’s a difficult contest to judge.
Be warned, according to local residents, the line up to snag one of these beers are not short and can be twenty minutes long.
It was our experience in Stowe and Burlington that lines were long everywhere you went. But, we did visit on the busiest week of the year!
After the Farmer’s market we continued the bike path crossing over the bridges, and enjoying the gorgeous world of yellow and orange we found ourselves in.
We had the wind behind us on the way back, which was perfect as Kalyra was getting pretty tired. It blew us back home pretty quickly and was the perfect finish.
Lunch at Idletyme Brewery
No. Not quite.
Just before the Farmer’s Market, we cycled past a brewery with a beautiful outlook onto the path and forest, games of corn hole in the garden out the front (which Savannah loves to play) and a beer garden and deck.
“Let’s stop here for lunch!”
We parked in the bike rack and pulled up a table on the deck in the warm sunshine.
The girls were having fun playing in the garden, we had delicious lunch, and I got to taste a new delicious local lemon and ginger cider.
I think Vermont would have to have the best cider as they are all about the apples. I had quite a bit of cider tasting on our New England road trip.
Would have loved nothing more than to sample some of those craft beers, but you know, gluten and all!
Check Trip Advisor Reviews here.
I highly recommend spending half a day cruising along the paved Stowe Recreation Path.
The route takes you through spectacular views of the mountain, great exercise and the chance to experience a little local flavour.
Plan time to make stops along the way.
Of course you can walk or roller skate if you like. We also came across some people on horseback. There were plenty of joggers and walkers, but don’t worry, the bike path, wasn’t too crowded.
Most of the places to stop at are about 15 minutes into the bike ride.
Along the path they also have mechanic stations should anything happen to your bikes, and there is also a corn maze we cycled past if you want to stop for more outdoor family fun.
Check out how awesome the Stowe Recreation path is in our travel video:
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Planning a Trip to Stowe, Vermont
Accommodation in Stowe
During our visit to Stowe we stayed in this cozy cottage attached to a large carriage house on 26 acres of countryside within an easy 5-minute drive into Stowe.
We had lovely mountain views, there’s a pond you can take a boat out on, and even a tennis court. It proved to be a lovely base with super accommodating and friendly owners who gave us some great local tips on activities to do in Stowe.
It’s the place to find accommodation experiences that become the memorable destination.
Booking flights to Vermont
Skyscanner is a comparison website that searches millions of flights. Once you find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees).
Booking Car Rental in Vermont
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Have you ridden the Stowe Recreation Path before? What’s your favourite family friendly bike trail?
I love riding a bike and with these paths the image gets better, I love your blog.
Takes me back to visiting the region in the fall. The colours were amazing. I wonder what the small town of Warren is like these days? I remember it was quaint and unique with a cool little hotel.
Amazing! really lively and beautiful blog. Loved it throughout. Riding bikes have always been a passion.
Love to visit this highes peak called Stove