10 Things We Love to Do in the Fall in the Mad River Valley

Robert Frost, a Vermont poet laureate, owned five farms in our brave little state and was deeply inspired by the landscape. One of his lesser known poems, “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” contemplates the ever-changing seasons…

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

As we say goodbye to a perfect Mad River Valley summer, our thoughts turn to fall and all there is to do. Herewith, our top ten list of autumn adventures.

10. Ride the single chair. Mad River Glen hosts foliage rides for just three weekends: September 25-26, October 1-2, October 8-9.

9. Visit the Waitsfield Farmers Market. The summer’s bounty is in and you can get your share at the once-a-week Saturday festival on the green in Waitsfield. We suggest indulging in Vermont-grown apples.

8. Shop Upstairs at the Warren Store. The colder nights mean it’s time to layer up and there’s no better place to do so than Upstairs at the Warren Store. Think Darn Tough socks and Smartwool base layers.

7. Hike to Sunset Rock. This is a relatively easy hike, from Lincoln Gap in Warren south along the Long Trail. It takes about an hour out and back and rises just 500 vertical feet.

6. Visit the Bundy Modern. By appointment only but not to be missed. The current exhibit, “To Market,” features paintings by Shelley Reed and cut paper works by Randal Thurston, now until October 9.

5. Bike the backroads. Gravel biking is all the rage among the bikerati and we have plenty of options here in the valley. Or settle for a gentle ride around the village on one of our new Cannondale hybrid bikes.

4. Soar above the valley. Consider opting for our MRV Stay & Soar package and experience autumn 4,000 feet above the valley. Talk about color.

3. Picnic at Knoll Farm. The views south through the valley are the best. Either order pick up lunch at the Warren Store, or if you’re an inn guest, request a picnic lunch from the kitchen.

2. Take in the Madsonian Museum of Industrial Design on Bridge Street in Waitsfield. Quirky would be an understatement.

1. Dine at Tracks. If ever there was a reminder of winter to come, it’s the mural in Tracks of the nearby mountains, the ski trails dressed in their winter white. Oh, and the food’s damn fine, as well.

Come to the Mad River Valley this fall and find your adventure.