The Champlain Valley Floor Loop
Region: Addison County, Vermont — Champlain Valley Distance: ~50 miles Time: 1.5 - 2 hours riding Surface: Paved (numbered state routes throughout)
Start in Vergennes and head south on Route 22A. The road runs through open farmland, long flat stretches, the Adirondacks visible to the west across the valley. Traffic is light through Addison.
At the junction with Route 17 in Addison, turn west. The road crosses the flat valley floor toward Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains pulling away behind you and the lake coming into view as you approach Chimney Point. The Lake Champlain Bridge is visible from the shoreline — a natural place to pull off before turning east.
From Chimney Point, pick up Route 125 east. The road moves back across the valley through Bridport and into Middlebury, the terrain gradually rising as the Green Mountains come back into view ahead. Middlebury is a natural midpoint.
From Middlebury, head north on Route 116. The road runs closer to the mountain foothills than Route 7 — farmland on the valley side, the ridgeline of the Greens to the east. Quieter than the main corridor, the road works north through New Haven and Bristol before connecting back toward Vergennes.
Route Modifiers
Crown Point, NY (+8 miles / 20 minutes)
Cross the Lake Champlain Bridge at Chimney Point into New York. Crown Point Historic Site sits just across — a fortification from the French and Indian War era with views back across the lake toward Vermont. Return the same way and continue east on Route 125.
Stops to consider
Vergennes
Small downtown with Fuel and food options before heading out.
Chimney Point
Natural pull-off at the lake before turning east on 125. The Lake Champlain Bridge is right here. No services, but a good stretch point.
Middlebury
Midpoint offering full services. College town with fuel, food, and a downtown worth a few minutes if you have them.
Information Worth Knowing
Dead Creek Wildlife Management
sits along Route 17 between Addison and Chimney Point. In fall, the area sees significant snow goose migration; tens of thousands of birds stop through. Worth noting if timing the ride in October.
Please Note:
Surface & Conditions
Surface notes describe road type, not day-of-ride conditions. This route follows numbered state and US routes throughout and is likely fully paved. Road conditions and surface transitions can change with weather, maintenance, and season — these notes reflect road type, not day-of conditions.
Use this information to decide what fits the ride you have in mind.
If you know roads or routes worth building a ride around, hit reply and tell me about it.
