With the days growing shorter and the temperature beginning to drop, signs of fall are looming in Vermont. Each year, visitors from all over travel to charming Vermont towns, including Middlebury, to take part in the state's classic seasonal traditions. Leaf peepers, local residents and Middlebury students alike look forward to experiencing a quintessential New England autumn before the first snow flurries fall. From apple picking to scenic hikes, there are many activities both on and off campus that can help immerse you in the fall spirit.
One of the most highly anticipated fall activities is apple picking. Just a short drive away from campus are many different apple orchards, including Happy Valley, Windfall and Sunrise. Opening in mid-September to early November, the orchards are known for their wide selections of apple varieties, such as the McIntosh and Honeycrisp (great for baking) which grow in mid-September, and the Granny Smith, which grows later in October. Visitors can also expect to find a selection of other popular locally sourced Vermont goods, such as honey, maple syrup and delicious apple cider, which can be found in the orchard farm markets.
With all the apples picked, you may want to do some baking. With a variety of locally sourced ingredients at your fingertips, fall is a great time to try out some new recipes. The Middlebury Farmers Market, which runs on Saturdays at 530 Exchange Street through the end of October, has over 50 vendors, offering local agricultural products and goods to elevate your dish. The farmers market also includes many local Vermont crafts, which are great for decor.
For those interested in running, you are in luck, as Middlebury and surrounding areas have no shortage of picturesque trails. Although the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM) is open all fall, the Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT) is hosting the TAM Trek on Sept. 21 as a fundraiser for the maintenance of all the trails circling Middlebury, Cornwall, Weybridge and New Haven. The TAM Trek has a race for everyone, including a 19-mile loop, a 10k and 5k course, and a two mile fun run.
In October, the Middlebury Maple Run takes course and draws both local runners and visitors from across Vermont, taking participants through scenic stretches of the campus, farmland and village streets at the peak of fall foliage. For those not up for 13.1 miles, the event also includes relay options, allowing friends to split the course and still join in on the fun. Top finishers will earn Vermont Maple Syrup, of course.
Vermont is known for its stunning fall views, and if running is not your forte, there are many other ways to enjoy the stunning foliage and scenic views that Vermont has to offer. There are a variety of hikes near Middlebury, such as Mount Abraham, Camel’s Hump, and Snake Mountain. Middlebury students have access to clubs such as Midd Mountain Club and Fostering Inclusive Recreational Experiences, which go on a wide variety of free outings during the season with transportation included. The Middlebury Snow Bowl in Hancock will also be hosting fall foliage lift rides on Fall Family Weekend from Oct. 3-5 for stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
Halloween is a quintessential part of the fall experience at Middlebury. The Town of Middlebury will be hosting their annual “Spooktacular” on Oct. 26, a parade from the Middlebury Green into Main Street. There will be a photo booth available to show off your best costume and candy along the way from shopkeepers and volunteers.
While the arrival of fall snow may impede plans to hike, skiers can often get early-season turns in by skinning up the Snowbowl, conditions permitting. Over Thanksgiving weekend, Killington Resort hosts the Stifel Killington Cup, which brings some of the world’s top alpine ski racers to Vermont. The event features high-level competition, merchandise, and the chance for fans to see Olympic athletes such as Mikaela Shiffrin up close.
To enjoy fall, you may not even need to leave campus. Students can sit down on the grass or adirondack chairs after class, and maybe even make a sketch, knit, or pull out a book.
This list highlights just a few of the area’s attractions this fall, but there are many more to explore and some lesser-known spots may prove to be hidden gems. Although our campus is beautiful on its own, it will do you good not to forget how much the rest of Vermont has to offer as the leaves are changing.
Mandy Berghela '26 (she/her) is a Managing Editor.
Mandy has previously served as the Senior Local Editor, a Local Section Editor and Staff Writer. She is majoring in Political Science with a minor in History. She is the Co-President for the Southeast Asian Society and an intern with the Conflict Transformation Collaborative. Last summer, Mandy interned with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and participated in the Bloomberg Journalism Diversity Program.
