Vermont Guides
Four legendary climbs through the Green Mountains — including the steepest paved mile in the United States.
Ask serious cyclists what makes Vermont worth the trip and eventually the conversation arrives here: the gap roads. These four mountain passes cut east-west through the Green Mountains — narrow, steep, and spectacular in every season. Appalachian Gap on Route 17. Lincoln Gap with its fearsome east wall. Brandon Gap on Route 73. Middlebury Gap on Route 125 through the National Forest. Each one is a complete ride in itself. Together, they represent some of the best climbing in the eastern United States.
Heart of the Village Inn in Shelburne sits approximately 40–45 minutes from Appalachian and Lincoln Gaps, slightly longer to Brandon and Middlebury. Drive to the base, ride the gap, descend, and return for breakfast the next morning. It's how Vermont cycling weekends are supposed to work.
Appalachian Gap is the most approachable of the four — which is not to say easy. Route 17 climbs from the Mad River Valley on the east and from Waitsfield on the west, both sides offering sustained pitches through dense forest before the treeline opens at the summit. The descent is fast and technical. The views from the top extend west across the Champlain Valley toward the Adirondacks and east over Mad River Valley farmland. This is the gap most Vermont cyclists tackle first, and many return to it repeatedly. It anchors the Appalachian Gap section of the LAMB Century.
Lincoln Gap is the one that gets talked about in hushed tones. The summit road sits at 2,424 feet, but the number that matters is the gradient on the east side — a section recognized as the steepest paved mile in the United States, with sustained gradients exceeding 20%. The road is narrow, the trees close in on both sides, and the pavement tilts up at angles that make experienced climbers question their gear choices.
Lincoln Gap Road closes in winter and remains gated through late spring. Check conditions before planning shoulder-season rides. The west-side approach from Lincoln Village is beautiful and progressively demanding — a worthy warm-up for what comes on the other side. At the summit, the views open dramatically.
Brandon Gap runs through the heart of the Green Mountain National Forest on Route 73 between Brandon and Rochester. The climb is steady rather than savage — long grades through cathedral forest, with the road crossing the Long Trail near the summit. Brandon Gap has a quieter character than Appalachian; fewer cars, more time to think. The descent toward Rochester passes through some of Vermont's most pastoral farmland. This is the gap for cyclists who want a full day in the mountains rather than a single sustained effort.
Route 125 through Middlebury Gap connects Middlebury on the west with Hancock on the east, passing through the National Forest and the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail — a short woodland loop with placards bearing Frost's poems at the trailheads. Texas Falls, just off Route 125 on the Hancock side, is one of Vermont's most photographed gorges and a natural rest stop mid-descent. Middlebury Gap is the most literary of the four, and the most varied — the kind of ride where you stop more often than expected because something keeps catching your eye.
For cyclists who want all four in a single day, the LAMB Century — Lincoln, Appalachian, Middlebury, Brandon — links every gap road in approximately 100 miles with more than 9,000 feet of elevation gain. It is one of the most demanding organized century rides in New England and a genuine benchmark for Vermont cycling. The route typically starts and ends in Middlebury, with support available at set intervals.
Most cyclists who take on the LAMB Century spend the night before in the Champlain Valley — close enough to the start, far enough from the climbs to sleep peacefully. Heart of the Village Inn is approximately 45 minutes from the traditional start area in Middlebury. Check with Vermont cycling clubs and local outfitters for current scheduling and registration.
Most gap road cyclists drive to the base and ride from there. From Heart of the Village Inn: take US-7 South through Vergennes, then Route 17 east toward Waitsfield for Appalachian Gap (approximately 40–45 minutes). For Lincoln Gap, continue south on US-7 to Lincoln (approximately 45 minutes). Brandon Gap and Middlebury Gap are approximately 50–60 minutes via US-7 South.
The Green Mountains create their own weather. Bring a wind and rain layer regardless of what the valley forecast says — summit temperatures can drop 20 degrees from the base, and afternoon thunderstorms are common June through August. Carry enough water and food; services on the gap roads themselves are nonexistent. A spare tube and patch kit are not optional.
Lincoln Gap Road closes in winter and typically reopens in late May or June depending on snow conditions. All four gaps are open to cyclists May through October. Fall foliage — typically late September through mid-October — is peak season; traffic on Route 17 increases significantly on foliage weekends. For current foliage conditions, check the Vermont Foliage Report.
For rental bikes in the Champlain Valley: Local Motion (1 Steele St, Burlington, VT) offers road and hybrid rentals, and North Star Sports (100 Main St, Burlington) carries gravel and e-bike options. For riders based in the Mad River Valley near Appalachian Gap: Mad River Bike Shop in Waitsfield is the go-to stop for local knowledge, repairs, and route beta.
Vermont has four classic gap road climbs: Appalachian Gap (Route 17, 2,356 ft), Lincoln Gap (2,424 ft — steepest paved mile in the US), Brandon Gap (Route 73, 2,183 ft), and Middlebury Gap (Route 125, 2,144 ft). All four pass through the Green Mountain National Forest.
Lincoln Gap — specifically the east-side approach — is the most demanding, with sustained gradients over 20% on a section recognized as the steepest paved mile in the United States. Appalachian Gap is the most popular and often the starting point for cyclists new to gap riding.
Appalachian and Lincoln Gaps are approximately 40–45 minutes from Heart of the Village Inn in Shelburne. Brandon and Middlebury Gaps are approximately 50–60 minutes via US-7 South.
The LAMB Century links all four gap roads — Lincoln, Appalachian, Middlebury, Brandon — in approximately 100 miles with 9,000+ feet of climbing. It's one of New England's most demanding organized century rides. Check Vermont cycling clubs for current scheduling.
Heart of the Village Inn is Vermont's only adults-only (21+) B&B in Shelburne — 40–45 minutes from Appalachian and Lincoln Gaps. Free on-site parking, made-from-scratch breakfast to fuel the climb, and a quiet Vermont village to recover in afterward.
Book Now ↗The best road and rail trail rides within easy reach of Shelburne — flat valley routes, lakeside paths, and everything in between.
14.4 miles of rail trail along Lake Champlain, including 3.3 miles of causeway over open water — and a seasonal bike ferry to South Hero.
Trade the road for open water — private and shared sailing charters from Shelburne Bay, sunset sails, and afternoon paddles.