Daily Itinerary
Norwich Hub
Norwich Hub: Norwich, Vermont, so named by its original settlers from Norwich Connecticut in the 1790's, enjoys the highest per-capita income in the state and is considered by many to be a "commuter" bedroom community for its sister town across the Connecticut River, Hanover, New Hampshire (home to the Ivy League's Dartmouth College and the Upper Valley's cultural and arts center).
Following your arrival and check-in at the Norwich Inn located on Main Street in the center of Norwich, you'll meet with your Diverse Directions Support Representative for Orientation and Bike Handoff.
Norwich Spokes: You'll enjoy three full days (spokes) of multi-sport activities from your Norwich hub. During your stay in Norwich, you'll cycle, kayak on the Connecticut River, hike a segment of the Appalachian Trail, visit a National Historic Site in Cornish New Hampshire.
Norwich Spoke One (Cycling):
Day One's spoke begins and ends at the Norwich Inn. Before departing, you may wish to pick-up a made-to-order sandwich at Dan & Whit's, Norwich's beloved community grocery store located next door to the Inn, for a picnic lunch on the Lyme's lovely town green. Soon after departing Norwich, you'll cross the stately Ledyard Bridge into New Hampshire and immediately enter historic Hanover, home of Dartmouth College. Your route will take you through the center of campus; soon after, you'll head north into the rural environs of Hanover until descending down toward the tranquil banks of the Connecticut River. Though you'll be tempted to stay on River Road, you'll eventurally navigate your way toward Lyme, New Hampshire where you can break for luch on the village green, relax in the sun, and visit the town's country store for a sweet treat before making your way back to Norwich.
Total cycling distance = 24 miles
Norwich Spoke Two (Kayaking and AT Hiking):
You'll begin Day Two's spoke at the Norwich Inn where you'll meet your Diverse Directions shuttle. You will dropped-off at to Great River Outfitters located at Artisans Park (just north of the town of Windso, VT) for kayaking on the Connecticut River. GRO will shuttle you to your starting point, provide you with safety instructions, assist you with basic kayaking techniques and finally, set you on your way downriver for a leisurely, peaceful and scenic paddle of several mile lasting approximately 2.5 hours.
Returning to Artisans Park, you'll enjoy time to explore the park and then, break for lunch at Harpoon Brewery.
Following lunch, you'll once again meet your Diverse Directions shuttle back to Norwich; you'll be dropped-off northwest of town at the "end of Vermont" trailhead of the Appalachian Trail which is a locally popular segment of the Appalachian Trail leading you back to Dan & Whit's General Store next to Norwich Inn. Total hiking distance = 3.1 miles
Norwich Spoke Three (Touring Historic Site, Walking Trails, Cycling):
You'll begin Day Three's spoke at the Norwich Inn where you'll meet (including your bikes) the Diverse Directions shuttle for trnsport to the St. Gauden's National Historic Site (homestead of the world-renowned painter / sculptor who founded the famous 19th century Cornish Artist colony). While there, you'll have the opportunity to tour the St. Gauden property, view a variety of the artists finest works, enjoy miles of scenic walking trails through sculpted gardens, forest and wetlands, and depending upon the date, participate in a scheduled activity.
If you didn't pack a picnic lunch before leaving Norwich, you can grab a bite to eat at any one of a several eateries in Windsor or nearby Hartland.
Following your visit, you'll mount your bikes and head back to Vermont via the Cornish- Windsor Covered Bridge (the longest covered bridge still in use), passing through Windsor, Vermont (the birthplace of Vermont). Did you know that the territory know as Vermont rejected the opportunity to join the 13 colonies in forming a nation independent of Britain in 1776. Instead, in 1777, in Windsor, Vermont, the Constitution of the Republic of Vermont was signed and Vermont remained an independent republic unitl 1791 when it became the 14th state to join the union.
You'll wrap-up your day, by cycling from Windsor to Norwich enjoying a variety of landscapes enroute and several additional covered bridges.
Total cycling distance = 26 miles
Change of Hubs – Norwich to Woodstock: Diverse Directions transfers your Baggage / Vehicle to Woodstock while you cycle.
You'll begin your day cycling southbound toward the White River (you may wish to stop at the King Arthur Flour) which you'll pas shortly after leaving Norwich. Upon reaching the White River Valley, you head west along a relatively long strectch of flat leisurely cycling paralleling the river. As you head west, you'll enjoy the tranquil sights and sounds of riverside meadows with grazing livestock and fertile farmland. About halfway through your ride, you'll begin your trek to the delightful village of Quechee via the verdant rolling hills of the Upper Valley.
Quechee is a wonderful destination in and of itself so, plan to stop for lunch at one of the cafes near the Visitor Information Center and take in the view of the majestic Quechee Gorge from above or hike the trails down to the floor of the gorge (and cool your feet in the waters of the Ottauqhechee River.
As you make your way to Woodstock, you'll pass through the Quechee Covered Bridge and Taftsville Coverd Bridge and cycle on another quiet riverside road.
Total cycling distance = 28 miles
Woodstock Hub: Woodstock is a magnificently preserved New England village, offering an historic village green, beautiful riverside estates, a covered bridge, the Marsh-Billings Rockefeller National Park with miles of pristine hiking trails and guided tours of the Rockefeller Mansion, the award-winning Marsh-Billings Farm and Museum, tons of wonderful shops (may we suggest the Vermont Flannel Company) and a variety of exciting eateries to enjoy. Unlike the much smaller Norwich, in Woodstock, you'll have an array of accommodations from which to choose.
Woodstock Spokes: You'll enjoy three full days (spokes) of multi-sport activities from your Woodstock hub. During your stay in Woodstock, you'll cycle, swim in tranquil Silver Lake and swim, picnic and sun on its verdant shores, hike the trails in Vermont's only National Park.
Woodstock Spoke One (Cycling, Swimming):
Departing Woodstock, you’ll head northward passing the Marsh-Billings Rockefeller National Park and soon after you’ll enjoy effortless cycling with expansive views through South Pomfret. As your trek turns north again toward Barnard, you’ll enjoy gently rolling hills with idyllic scenes of grazing cows on lush green hills lined with ancient stone walls.
Midway through your ride, you’ll encounter the sparkling waters of Silver Lake in Barnard where you can enjoy a refreshing dip and picnic alongside its banks (the Barnard General Store across the road prepares wonderful sandwiches to go) and perhaps, rent a canoe for some leisurely paddling.
The remainder of trek includes a long descent back into the Woodstock.
Total cycling distance = 21 miles
Woodstock Spoke Two (Hiking, Touring Historic Sites):
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park is the only National Park property located wholly in the State of Vermont. The 550 acre park located in the heart of Woodstock includes the childhood home of pioneer conservationist (conisdered by many as the founder of the modern-era's conservationist movement), George Perkins Marsh, as well as, extensive forestry plantations through which wind miles of idyllic hiking routes.
The park also houses the former estate of Laurance and Mary French Rockefeller (the mansion is open to the public for tours) and extensive flower gardens in full bloom during the months of July and August, as well as Billings Farm and Museum.
The Billings Farm & Museum is a 150 year-old Jersey dairy farm and accompanying museum where you can meet the farm's Jersey cows, sheep, goats, draft horses, oxen and chicken (farm hands serve as your tour guides) AND enjoy the museum's "Farm to Table" programs, engaging demonstrations, crafts, locally produced artisan food products and tour the 1890's farm manager's house.
Woodstock Spoke Three (Cycling):
For this final day in Woodstock, there are three cycling spoke from which to choose. All are relatively short, ranging in distance from 6.5 miles to 12.00 miles. The shortest of the three options (6.5 miles), leads you west of the village along the quiet side of the lovely Ottauquechee River to yet another of the area's historic covered bridges, the Lincoln Bridge, and back. The mid-range option (9.6 miles), leads you south of the village to South Woodstock's Kedron Valley Inn (in operation since 1828) and South Woodstock Country Store. In this tranquil " horse country" setting, you may wish to order a delicious made-to-order sandwich from the Country Store and enjoy on the shore of the Inn's gorgeous pond (access fee for non-guests payable at the the Country Store). Following lunch, take a refereshing dip in the pond before heading back to Woodstock. Finally the longest option (12.00 miles), leads you first north and then west of the village to Woodstock's beautiful Aqueduct Trail System (closed to vehicular traffic).
Whichever cycling spoke you choose to do, these options have been designed to leave you with plenty of time and energy to finalize your explorations of Woodstock, perhaps do some shopping, enjoy a relaxing coffee and sweet treat at a sidewalk cafe, and of course, reflect on the active multi-sport adventure in Vermont you've expereinced over the past seven days.
