Waitsfield, Vt. Visitors to Vermont have two new ways to experience the Green Mountain state. The non-profit Northern Forest Canoe Trail has come up with itineraries for the canoeist and kayaker travelling to Lake Champlain and the Missisquoi River. “Watery Scenes & Edible Greens” and “Fresh Food & Fresh Air” offer paddling, hiking, and cycling ideas and a complimenting sample of places to stay and eat.
Kate Williams, Executive Director of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), says that with easy access to the water trail, communities in northwestern Vermont are perfectly suited to serve paddlers. “Whether it’s a stay at the Grey Gables Mansion in Richford followed by a stroll through the farmers market in town, or a paddle on Lake Champlain ending with dinner and a night at the North Hero House, paddlers have many options to choose from, including right on the water and along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.”
Watery Scenes & Edible Greens is a self-guided two-day itinerary on Lake Champlain and includes information on camping at the islands’ three state parks, as well as locations of farm stands, orchards, and Vermont’s oldest producing winery.
Fresh Food & Fresh Air is centered on the smooth-flowing Missisquoi River and the towns of Richford, Montgomery Center, Enosburg Falls, and Highgate Center. The self-guided itinerary includes information on B&Bs and inns located along the Trail, maple syrup and berry farms, and local outfitters like Montgomery Adventures.
According to Williams, offerings like these are core to the mission of the organization, “NFCT was founded to leverage the Trail’s world-class paddling to catalyze economic benefits through recreational tourism for Trailside communities.”
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail travels 740 mile across New York, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire and Maine, and provides access for a unique way for paddlers of all abilities to experience northern New York and New England.
These itineraries were created thanks to a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation’s “Innovations and Collaborations Program” and in partnership with the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce and Shelburne Farms. The itineraries can be found on NFCT’s website at www.northernforestcanoetrail.org.
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