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Glorious colours of the Stowe during the Fall
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Where It's at
The further north you head in Vermont, the more heavily forested
it becomes. Stowe is one of New England's best winter ski
resorts, which means it's also a great place for hiking in
what the Americans coin as "the fall", or early
Autumn when the leaves shed their leaves.
What's there to see and do?
Stowe is an easy going ground for leisurely and short hikes,
with clearly marked and well maintained paths.
Early Autumn mornings when the rising sunlight filters through
the trees is a glorious time to be in Stowe, crunching on
a carpet of red and gold leaves and soaking in the kaleidoscopic
range of autumnal colours - every shade of brown, red, crimson,
gold, deep greens you can imagine.
Trails
The Pinnacle trail offers fantastic views of the town of Stowe,
whereas the Long Trail is a massive 265 mile route crossing
all of Vermont which can be walked part of. The steepest section
is the Long Trail South climbing the 4000 ft Mount Mansfield.
Remember to bring warm gear on high altitude trips.
The path up to Mt. Mansfield is a great easy going 4 hour
hike. In the Fall it's just a quiet little trail, but eventually
it opens up into a ski run in the winter. It's not exactly
a hike you do for the conquest of the summit, but a gentle
path to experience the beauty of Stowe's nature in full, where
you can observe its swooping valleys and mountain peaks.
Weather permitting, it's possible to go on a tandem glider
ride and get a good look at all those colours. It's a sublime
experience - as close to flying in open air as you are ever
likely to get.
Book Ahead
If you think you're in for a secluded back to nature fall
experience, think again. All of America and beyond are probably
thinking the same and it gets very crowded - book well ahead
to secure your lodgings.
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