Capitol to Capitol Tour: Maine to Vermont
Oct. 7-14, 2026
Min/Max 6/12
Moderate
Capitol to Capitol Tour
Join me on a VERY SPECIAL trip through Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont during leaf peeping season! Become a part of my Capitol Quest and join me cycling the Augusta, Maine to Montpelier, Vermont capitol route. This is your chance to see a different side of the US as you cycle through the heart of the Northeast at a perfect pace for soaking in all of the colors that surround you.
If you aren’t familiar with my Capitol Quest – I am cycling from capitol to capitol in an effort to finish my father’s quest to walk between every capitol. Now you too can be a part of this unique and epic quest! Normally I do these routes solo and you follow along on social media. But this time you can be a part of it!
I have partnered with Maine bike operator Summer Feet Cycling to design and lead the route between capitols. They have come up with a great route that will be scenic, have few cars, and introduce us to their home, the beautiful Northeastern US.
🍁Augusta, Maine to Montpelier, Vermont 🍁
A journey through small towns, golden valleys, and mountain horizons.
What Makes This Tour Unforgettable:
- You get to be a part of the Capitol Quest! Go on a journey with like-minded people who like to challenge themselves and be a part of purposeful travel.
- Freedom & Ease – every detail handled … bikes fitted, routes mapped, rooms booked … you just ride and enjoy autumn in New England. Enjoy a support vehicle at any time you need a rest!
- Guides Who Care – friendly local experts who make every guest feel safe, confident, and connected.
- Local Flavor – visiting small towns puts you right in the heart of a local community. Talk to those you meet and learn what they love about their place here on earth.
- Road-Free Riding – many miles logged on multi-use trails. Say goodbye to vehicles as you take in the sights. We’ll be utilizing the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail and the Cross Vermont Trail for a large portion of the route. These routes are a network of trails leading through village centers, to schools, parks, and wild areas.
- One-of-a-Kind – a unique itinerary designed to capture an individual’s dream of riding from state capitol to state capitol.
Route:
Itinerary
The journey begins with a transfer from Portland to Augusta where we’ll start cycling beneath the gleaming dome of Maine’s State Capitol — a building that has witnessed centuries of change. After a private tour, it’s time to fit your bike, clip in, and feel that first rush of open-road freedom.
Leaving Augusta behind, the hum of tires replaces city sounds as you cruise through the rolling farmlands of central Maine. The air smells faintly of pine and hay.
By afternoon, you arrive in Auburn — a former mill town reborn, where your hotel overlooks the same rushing falls that once powered the town’s factories.
Tonight, stories of Maine’s industrious past blend with the soft glow of sunset over the river.
Mileage: 30.7 miles | Elevation Gain: 1,375 feet – mainly paved backroads
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Lodging: Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn, Maine
This is rural Maine at its best — quiet country lanes, weathered barns, and glimpses of life that moves to a different rhythm. The Mahousuc Mountains rise in the distance like a promise, each mile drawing you closer.
Bethel welcomes you at day’s end — a postcard-perfect mountain town framed by peaks and bright foliage. Maybe you’ll wander its historic streets or slip into the inn’s hot tub as the evening mist settles.
Mileage: 45.5 miles | Elevation Gain: 1,900 feet – mainly paved backroads
Meals: Lunch
Lodging: The Bethel Inn in Bethel, Maine
Today we say goodbye to Maine and cross over into New Hampshire and join up with the Cross New Hampshire Trail! Today’s ride is pure magic — a ribbon of quiet pavement winding beside the Androscoggin River, with Mount Washington rising proudly in the distance.
The North Road is one of those rides that stays with you: the rhythm of your breath, the flash of red maples reflected in the water, the quiet hum of your bike’s wheels on pavement.
For those who want more, an optional detour to Evans Notch offers a few extra miles and sweeping views of autumn’s splendor.
By nightfall, you’re in Gorham, New Hampshire — a classic mountain town where adventure still feels like a way of life.
Mileage: 23.6 miles (+10 optional miles) | Elevation Gain: 515 feet – mix of pavement and gravel
Meals: Lunch
Lodging: Town & Country Inn in Gorham, New Hampshire
After days of motion, a morning without your alarm feels luxurious. Enjoy a leisurely morning, maybe stretch your legs, or simply let your mind wander.
If you’re eager to explore, the van will whisk you away to North Conway — a mountain village alive with boutiques, cafés, and old-fashioned charm. Or maybe you’d like to visit a sugar orchard, zipline through the fall colors, or do a short hike!
Whether you spend the day relaxing or roaming, today is about recharging for the miles ahead.
Mileage: today is a rest day – there is no organized cycling
Meals: None
Lodging: Town & Country Inn in Gorham, New Hampshire
Today, our ride shifts gears — from mountain roads to gentle gravel paths. Leaving Gorham, you follow the Presidential Rail Trail west, a route steeped in New England’s railroad past.
You’ll glide over many bridges and through forests and wetlands alive with birdsong, passing through the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge — one of New Hampshire’s hidden gems.
As the trail gives way to pavement, Littleton greets you with its funky energy, art-filled streets, and mountain-town spirit.
Mileage: 36.9 miles | Elevation Gain: Minimal
Meals: Lunch
Lodging: Littleton Motel in Littleton, New Hampshire
Today unfolds gently — country roads, soft hills, and the rhythm of rural New Hampshire life.
The route winds through farmland and forest toward Woodsville, a quiet crossroads where today’s journey finds its peaceful close.
This is the kind of ride that sneaks up on your heart: the laughter shared along the way, the crisp morning air, the satisfaction of each turn of the pedals.
Mileage: 20.6 miles | Elevation Gain: Minimal
Meals: Lunch
Lodging: Nootka Lodge in Woodsville, New Hampshire
Today’s ride is a spectacular way to end the week — a journey that blends serenity and accomplishment. You’ll follow quiet dirt roads and old railway beds through valleys brushed with the colors of New England’s deciduous trees.
As you roll into Montpelier, Vermont’s charming capital, you’ll feel a deep sense of completion. It’s the only state capital without a McDonald’s — and one of the most picturesque small cities in America.
Shortly after arriving we’ll do a Capitol tour and celebrate our arrival and biking 200 miles!
Celebrate the end of your adventure with a well-earned dinner, drinks, and ice cream (!) with friends and the satisfaction of every mile well spent.
Mileage: 40.6 miles | Elevation Gain: 1,749 feet
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Lodging: Comfort Inn & Suites in Montpelier, Vermont
After breakfast on your own, we will have two morning transfers to Burlington Airport (45 min) and Portland Airport (3.5 hours). As the scenery passes by, you’ll reflect on the week’s miles and memories: the laughter, the landscapes, the shared sense of discovery.
What began as a ride through Maine and New Hampshire has become something deeper — a reminder of how adventure and travel connect us to the world and to ourselves.
Mileage: Transfer Day
Meals: None
Details
This is an active trip with 200 miles of biking on paved and gravel roads and trails. We will have a rest day in the middle and a support vehicle joining us if you need a break. However – I have to ride, rain or shine, in order to fulfill my quest.
In addition, we have tried to time this ride with the changing of the leaves in the Northeast. Of course, we don’t really know when that will happen, so we can’t guarantee fall faliage – but we are sure hoping for it!
Is This Trip for You?
There will be some days where we’ll need to ride on city roads, or highways where there will be traffic. However – we have tried to keep that at a minimum the best we could. You should be comfortable cycling on roads with light traffic, and gravel in order to enjoy this trip.
What Is Included:
- Seven nights’ lodging
- All lodging taxes and gratuities
- 2 Capitol building tours
- Many meals – including six lunches and two dinners
- All taxes and gratuities for meals
- Hybrid or Gravel bike rental & helmet
- Two experienced Summer Feet guides
- Detailed route notes and maps
- Van support, including fresh water, ample snacks, and “relief rides”
- Souvenirs – a Summer Feet Cycling water bottle and t-shirt (available in men’s and women’s fit)
What Is Not Included:
- Alcoholic beverages are not included in the package price and are always at your discretion
- Meals not listed in Itinerary
Tour Price:
- $3550 – per person, double occupancy
- Single Room $700
- E-Bike $250
- Deposit $500
- Final Payment due August 8, 2026
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel 61 or more days before departure, Summer Feet Cycling will refund your deposit less a $200.00 per person cancellation fee. Please note that the booking fees charged by their software provider are non-refundable.
If you cancel between 60 and 31 days before departure, you will receive a 50% refund or a 100% credit for future travel with Summer Feet Cycling valid for two years.
If you cancel 30 days or less and there is zero refund. Exceptions to the cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest, or personal emergencies. In addition, there is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. For cancellations less than 30 days in advance due to government travel restrictions, participants will receive a 100% travel credit with Summer Feet Cycling valid for two years.
Starting and Ending Points:
You can fly directly into Portland, Maine, or Boston and take an hourly shuttle to Portland (1h45min). You should arrive by Oct. 6, 2026 as we start the tour the next morning.
You can fly out of Portland, Maine, or Boston. We will shuttle people back to Portland on Oct. 14th. Do not book your Portland departure until after 3PM on the 14th.
Do not book your Boston departure until after 6PM on the 14th.
You can also fly out of Burlington, Vermont. We will provide an early morning shuttle to Burlington (50 min. drive) on Oct. 14th.
Do not book your Burlington departure until after 10AM on the 14th.
Bikes
You can choose between a hybrid bike, gravel bike, or ebike (+$250)
Booking
I have partnered with Summer Feet Cycling to run this tour for me. They are a small local company based out of Portland and know the region well. This means that all tour payments will go directly to them and they are responsible for putting on the tour.
To Book This Tour
For the tour to run, a minimum of six people are required. Please wait to purchase airfare until we can confirm seven guests.
Send me an email at [email protected] letting me know about your interest. We will set up a call to discuss any questions you have. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis – there are only 12 spots available on this tour.
I will then provide you with a link to deposit your money and reserve your space with Summer Feet Cycling.
Add-ons
Portland, Maine is about 3 hours from Acadia National Park in Maine. If you have a desire to come early or stay later and experience Acadia National Park, Summer Feet Cycling can help you arrange a 2 or 3 day stay in the area to experience the National Park.
If you have a desire to come early and spend a few days in Portland eating lobster and site seeing – we are also happy to help you plan that too! Portland is filled with options for adventure (even surfing!), incredible seafood restaurants and is filled with history! Learn more in my article about Maine here.
Reviews
Oct. 7-14, 2026
Price: $3550
Deposit: $500
Single Supplement: $700
Ebike Rental: $250
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Still Have Questions?
Contact Sherry about OttsWorld Tours