Outdoor enthusiasts just love spring and summer in the Mad River Valley. To begin with, there are so many outdoor activities to pursue that everyone can find something to do. What makes it extra special is that you get to experience the "real" Vermont. The Valley is not only beautiful and serene, but it is unspoiled by traffic lights, high rises, and chain restaurants/hotels. Here you are off the beaten path, and have many paths to explore without running into crowds. This is a place to get away from it all. This is a place to get in touch with nature and your inner self.

At Weathertop, we appreciate your need to relax and soak up the good things that The Mad River Valley can provide - clean air, starry nights, unspoiled beauty, casual dining, and a host of other activities. After a busy day on the roads, trails or rivers, relax in our hot tub and sauna, have a cold beer or glass of wine while lounging on our garden patio, identify birds at our feeders, or stroll around our perennial gardens. Perhaps spending the day in a shaded Adirondack chair, reading a good book, is just what the doctor ordered...

Bicycling, both on-road and off-road, is very popular in the area. There are many cycling routes from which to choose. Bikes can be rented at Clearwater Sports, Stark Mountain Bike Works (802-496-4800) or Inverness Ski Shop (802-496-3343). If you are a real cycling enthusiast or triathlete, you may be interested in contacting Fit Werx, road and triathlon cycling specialists. They are one of the best-equipped bicycle fitting and analysis centers in the country, located right here in Waitsfield! Every summer, The Valley plays host to the Mad River Valley Century Ride, a fun bicycle race which travels 100 miles through some of Vermont's most scenic countryside. Make a weekend out of it and enjoy the Mad River Valley. A few days later, The Valley is also the locale for the annual Green Mountain Stage Race, which begins right at the Mt. Ellen Base Lodge of Sugarbush Resort. In addition to road cycling, there is also great mountain biking. The Mill Brook Recreational Trail is a good mountain bike path, just outside our back door. You can also enjoy a wide range of mountain biking options at Sugarbush Resort. Ride the Super Bravo lift up for some cross-country single track and downhill thrills. There is also a Free Ride Park on Gondolier ski trail. Single day, multi-day and season passes are available. Blueberry Lake Bike Center (802-496-6687) also offers outstanding terrain for beginner through advanced mountain bikers.

The Green Mountains offer numerous hiking trails, including the Mill Brook Trail. Two resources for information on hikes are the Mad River Path Association and the Green Mountain Club. The Long Trail can be accessed at Appalachian Gap, 4 miles from Weathertop on Route 17, or at Lincoln Gap in nearby Warren. Transportation to the trailhead at either location can be arranged with us. Hiking the trails in the Green Mountains has always been a favorite pastime. We would be happy to share some of our favorite hikes with you!

The local waterways offer great canoeing, kayaking, fishing and swimming. The Mad River, White River, Winooski River and Waterbury Reservoir are all accessible to canoes & kayaks. Rentals and guided trips are available through Clearwater Sports. Native brookies, wild brown, and rainbow trout are plentiful in streams and rivers throughout Vermont. The Mad River Valley is home to some of the finest fly fishing in all of New England. Learn from a local...Ron Majorell, a former Orvis instructor, is a Warren resident who offers streamside instruction and guide services. He can be reached at 802-496-2850. You can also try Fly Fish Vermont, a full service fly fishing outfitter in Stowe offering clinics, tours and fly fishing gear rental. And don't forget your bathing suit! There are several popular swimming holes in the area. Like everything else in The Valley, it's easy. Just pull to the side of the road and jump in!

Golf is also very popular in the area. The closest course, Sugarbush Golf Club, is a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. masterpiece, described by Golf Digest as "the essence of a mountain course." Additional courses within a 1 hour drive include: Green Mountain National Golf Course in Killington, Country Club of Barre in Barre, Blush Hill Country Club in Waterbury, Northfield Country Club (802-485-4515) in Northfield, Montague Golf Club in Randolph, Killington Golf Resort in Killington, West Bolton Golf Club in West Bolton, Stowe Country Club in Stowe, Williston Golf Club in Williston, Neshobe Golf Club in Brandon, Cedar Knoll Country Club (802-482-3186) in Hinesburg, and White River Golf Club in Rochester. Let us know if you need assistance in booking tee times.

The Mad River Valley is one of the most beautiful sites in America for scenic glider rides. Sugarbush Soaring provides rides, introductory flights, rentals and instructional programs. If soaring isn't your thing, perhaps horseback riding is. Go to Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm in Waitsfield, Dana Hill Stable (802-496-6251) in Fayston, or Mad River Stables (802-223-2359) in Moretown. All offer trail rides and lessons. Or opt for horse-drawn rides at Mountain Valley Farm in Waitsfield. If a Morgan Horse strikes your fancy, check out the UVM Morgan Horse Farm near Middlebury or the National Museum of the Morgan Horse in Shelburne. If birding interests you, try the Birds of Vermont Museum located 40 minutes away in Huntington. The collection of bird carvings here is remarkable. Just down the road from the museum is the Green Mountain Audubon Center. A bit further afield in Quechee, but worth the drive time, is the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Nature Center.

Looking for something new and unique to experience in The Mad River Valley? You can try disc golf at Sugarbush Resort, where you can play on one of two courses designed at Sugarbush's Lincoln Peak Village. Single day and season passes are available. You can also experience the thrill and excitement of a zip line at Lincoln Peak Village, where you can "fly" from the Valley House Lodge to the Gate House Lodge!

Need a baseball fix? Check out the Vermont Lake Monsters, who play at Centennial Field in Burlington. They are a Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. You can also see the Vermont Mountaineers, members of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, at the Montpelier Recreation Field.

Top of Page
Home | Tour | Rates | Activities | Directions | Pets | About Us | Brochure | E-mail