Our Stay at Echo Lake, Charleston, VT

Vermont

October 2025

A Vermont Escape at Echo Lake

We left Stamford, NY, around 9 am. Seven hours later, after a smooth drive through Vermont, correctly nicknamed the Green Mountain State, we arrived at our new destination: a lake house on Echo Lake in Charleston, VT.

After putting away the groceries we picked up in Newport, VT, and settling in following our usual routine, I finally took the time to enjoy the beautiful house and its fantastic view over the lake. The view was even more breathtaking than the pictures on the Airbnb site had promised.

We will cherish every day of our week in this peaceful corner of Vermont.

A Chilly Walk Around Echo Lake

After a good night’s sleep, we woke up to the unmistakable signs that summer was really over. It had cooled down in the house, and Echo Lake had been covered with a thin layer of ice. It had been freezing overnight! So when we headed out for a walk around the lake to check whether the road was suitable for running, I swapped my raincoat for my warm winter coat.

We started counterclockwise, immediately facing the steep sixty-meter climb within the first mile. The dirt road was perfect for running, although I couldn’t decide whether I would tackle the climb at the start or save it for the end. I wasn’t sure yet.

45 Minutes to Empty!

Again, a chilly morning! I hit the trail just before 9 am. I chose to do the loop in a clockwise direction to avoid that brutal opening climb. Despite my choice, this clockwise direction proved far from easy. The supposed “flat” part of the loop was also relentless, with many ups and downs. Although I started with a comfortable pace, after 45 minutes, I had to admit I reached my limit. I stopped my run and switched to a cooldown walk. This challenging landscape left me completely drained.

The Better Loop Choice

Two days later, I decided to walk the uphill warm-up and then run the loop counterclockwise. This choice paid off; I was back at the Airbnb in only 50 minutes. I knew I had pushed hard, and my Garmin later confirmed it had been a high-intensity workout! Best of all, today’s run showed a significant improvement over my attempt two days prior.

And Repeat!

I repeated that same approach for my farewell run as well. I was incredibly pleased to finish my run at Echo Lake, having missed my 5K personal best by only a few seconds, completely making up for the initial low.

A Last Walk around Echo Lake

After an active week, we packed up once again. Luckily, we were allowed to postpone our check-out, giving me enough time to take one final walk around the lake. The morning was chilly, so I picked up my pace to stay warm.

Taking in the beautiful, familiar views for the last time was the perfect farewell to our wonderful week at Echo Lake and our cozy stay at the Fox Den house.