Foliage Drives in Vermont

The spectacular colors of Vermont’s hillsides in the fall are famous the world over. Peak viewing time is mid-September in the northern areas to late October in the south. Below are some driving loops where visitors can see spectacular foliage. Keep these points in mind:

♦ Different varieties of trees change at different times. Red maples are among the first to change, especially those along roadsides and in wet areas.
♦ The earliest foliage change generally occurs in the northern part of the state near the Canadian border and at higher elevations.
♦ By mid-September full color begins to appear across the north, moving progressively south during October. Typically, groups of trees with brilliant color can be found throughout September.
♦ "Peak color” is a bit of a myth, since every person has their own ideas of what peak looks like. Typically, the fullest color can be found from late-September in the north through mid-October in the south.
♦ Many experienced foliage viewers actually consider late October the most beautiful time in Vermont. Once the most brilliant colors have passed, the hills take on a subtler and richer range of hues that are just as beautiful, if not as spectacular.

Foliage Maps and Reports

Use the New England Foliage Map to determine where and when you are likely to see the best foliage. Once foliage season begins the Foliage Reports will be regularly updated.

Vermont Foliage Map

Vermont Foliage Report

Vermont State Map

Scenic Drives Vermont

Central Region

Lakes Bomoseen and St. Catherine Loop ---------- (55 miles)

--via Castleton, West Castleton, Poultney, Wells, Pawlet, Middletown Springs, Ira, Castleton.

■ Begin in Castleton and travel west on Route 4A to intersection with Route 30; turn right on to Route 30.
■ Follow Route 30 north to interesection with Hortonia Road; turn left on to Hortonia Road, then left on to Black Pond Road and follow it south to West Castleton
■ Take West Shore Road along Lake Bomoseen, then turn left on to Route 4A and travel east on Route 4A to Route 30
■ Turn left on to Route 30 and follow south through Poultney, along Lake St. Catherine, through Wells to Pawlet
■ Turn left on to Route 133 and follow north through Middletown Springs and Ira
■ At junction with Route 4A turn left and return to complete this drive

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Fair Haven – Bomoseen State Park, 22 Cedar Mountain Road, 802-265-4242
♦ Hubbardton – Hubbardton Battlefield Monument, 5696 Monument Road, 802-759-2412
♦ Proctor – Vermont Marble Exhibit, 52 Main Street, 802-459-2300
♦ Proctor – Wilson Castle, West Proctor Road, 802-773-3284
♦ Poultney – Lake St. Catherine State Park, 3034 Vermont Route 30 South, 802-287-9158

Upper Connecticut River Valley Loop ---------- (130 miles)

-- via Woodstock, Taftsville, Hartland, Windsor, Brownsville, Felchville, South Reading, Tyson, Plymouth Union, West Bridgewater, Killington, Pittsfield, Stockbridge, Talcville, Rochester, Randolph, Randolph Center, East Randolph, North Tunbridge, Tunbridge, Strafford, South Strafford, Sharon, Hewitts Corners, South Pomfret, Woodstock

■ Take Route 4 in Woodstock east to Taftsville
■ In Taftsville turn right on to Route 12 to Hartland
■ In Hartland turn right on to Route 5 and proceed to Windsor
■ In Windsor take Route 44 west through Brownsville to the junction with Route 106
■ Take Route 106 south to Felchville
■ Follow Tyson Road west through South Reading to Tyson
■ Take Route 100 north from Tyson through Plymouth Union, West Bridgewater, Killington, Pittsfield, Stockbridge, Talcville, and Rochester
■ In Rochester, travel east on Bethel Mountain Road, Camp Brook Road, to Route 12.
■ Take a left on to Route 12 north into Randolph
■ Travel east on Route 66 through Randolph Center to East Randolph
■ At the intersection of Routes 66 and 14 turn right, then almost immediately left on to Chelsea Road, Angel Road, Dickerman Road from East Randolph to Route 110.
■ Turn south on Route 110 through North Tunbridge to Tunbridge
■ Go east on Town Highway #2/Strafford Road, from Tunbridge through Strafford and to South Strafford
■ In South Strafford take Route 132 west to Sharon
■ Take Town Highway #3/Howe Hill Road, south from Sharon through Hewitts Corners, on to Town Highway #1/Pomfret Road and through South Pomfret to Route 12 and into Woodstock

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Killington -- Killington Gondola, 4763 Killington Road, 800-621-MTNS
♦ Strafford – Justin Smith Morril Homestead, Justin Smith Morrill Highway, 802- 828-3051
♦ Plymouth – Calvin Coolidge Homestead, 3780 Route 100A, 802- 672-3773
♦ Plymouth – Plymouth Cheese Company, Calvin Coolidge Homestead, 3780 Route 100A, 802-672-3650
♦ Quechee – Quechee Gorge, Quechee State Park, 764 Dewey Mills Road, 802-295-2990
♦ Woodstock – Billings Farm and Museum, Route 12 and River Road, 802-457-2355
♦ Woodstock – Covered bridges in Windsor, Taftsville
♦ Windsor – Vermont Craft Center, 1 Mill Street, 802-388-3177

West-Central Mountains & the Appalachian Gap Loop ---------- (116 miles)

… via Middlebury, Ripton, Lincoln, Jerusalem, Irasville, Granville, Hancock, Goshen, Goshen Corners, Brandon, Leicester, Salisbury, and Middlebury

■ Starting at Middlebury, travel east from Middlebury to Ripton via Route 125
■ Turn left at the Ripton Country Store onto Lincoln-Ripton Road and follow this road north to Lincoln
■ At Lincoln General Store, turn right onto Quaker Street, then right onto Downingville Road to Jerusalem and Route 17
■ Turn right onto Route 17 over Appalachian Gap
■ Take Route 100 from Irasville through Granville to Hancock
■ From Hancock travel Route 125 through Bread Loaf, then take a left on to a town road, the Goshen/Ripton Road, and follow it to Goshen
■ In Goshen turn left on Capen Hill Road and follow it to Goshen Corners
■ Turn right on to Route 73 and travel west from Goshen Corners to Brandon
■ Take Route 7 north from Brandon to Leicester; in Leicester turn right on to Fern Lake Road and follow it to Route 53
■ Turn left on to Route 53 and circle Fern Lake and Lake Dunmore, then turn left on to Shore Road, right on to Rogers Road and, in Salisbury, turn left on to Smead Road and follow it back to Route 7
■ Follow Route 7 south to return to Middlebury

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Middlebury -- Sheldon Museum, 1 Park Street, 802-388-2117
♦ Middlebury -- State Craft Center at Frog Hollow, 1 Mill Street, 802-388-3177
♦ Ripton -- Robert Frost Cabin & Interpretive Trail, Route 125
♦ Hancock – Texas Falls , Route 125 to Forest Road 39
♦ Brandon -- Warren Kimble Studio and Gallery, 22 Center Street, 802-247-5229
♦ Weybridge – University of Vermont Horse Farm, 74 Battell Drive, 802-388-2011

Northern Region

Northern Mountains and Islands Loop ---------- (120)

-- via St. Albans, Stevens Mills, Montgomery Center, Belvidere Corners, Jeffersonville, Fairfax, Chimney Corner, South Alburg, Isle La Motte, Swanton, and St. Albans

■ From St. Albans, take Route 105 east through Stevens Mills to the intersection with Route 101
■ Take Route 101 south one mile then turn right on to Route 242 and follow it to Montgomery Center
■ In Montgomery Center turn left and go south on Route 118 to Belvidere Corners then turn right on to Route 109 and take it to Jeffersonville
■ Travel from Jeffersonville through Fairfax on Route 104; about 2 miles north of Fairfax turn left on to Route 104A and follow it to Interstate 89
■ Take I-89 south to exit 17, exit at Chimney Corner, turn on to Route 2 and follow it west to South Alburg
■ At South Alburg take a side trip on Route 129 to Isle La Motte, then return to Route 2 and travel north to Swanton and the intersection with Route 78 east and Route 7
■ Take Route 7 south to return to St. Albans to complete this journey

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Isle La Motte – St. Anne’s Shrine, 92 St. Anne’s Road, 802-928-3362
♦ Milton – Sand Bar Wildlife Refuge, 1215 US 2, 802-893-2825
♦ Swanton -- Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge, 29 Tabor Road, 802-868-4781
♦ Swanton – Carman Brook Farm Maple and Dairy, 1275 Fortin Road, 888-846-2753

Stowe and Northern Mountains Loop ---------- (125 miles)

--via Stowe, Johnson, Morrisville, Belvidere Center, Waterville, Cambridge Junction, Jeffersonville, Cambridge Underhill Flats, Jeffersonville, and Stowe

■ From Stowe, travel north on Route 100 about 2 miles, then take left fork on to the Stagecoach Road and follow it for about 6 miles
■ Turn left at stop sign on to French Hill Road (marked Walton Road at further end). Follow it to a right turn on to White Road (which is not marked)
■ Travel into Johnson on Railroad Street to the intersection with Route 15
■ Turn right on to Route 15 through Johnson village and go past the junction of Route 100 and Route 15
■ Travel about 6 miles then turn right on to Route 100 at the stop light and follow it to a blinking light in Morrisville
■ Turn left onto Greaves Hill Road, then left on to Couchaine Farm Road (which becomes Elmore Pond Road), and take it to Route 15
■ Turn left on Route 15, then take first right turn on to West Hill Road
■ Take right on to North Wolcott Road and go 8 miles, turn left just past cemetery to Gulf sign, left again 7 miles to Eden Mills)
■ In Eden Mills turn left onto Route 100, go about 1 mile then turn right onto Route 118; follow it to intersection with Route 109 in Belvidere Corners and take Route 109 west through Belvidere Centerto Waterville
■ Take the second left on to unpaved Hogback Road And follow it to intersection with Route 15
■ Take a sharp right onto Route 15 and follow it through Cambridge Junction, Jeffersonville, Cambridge and into Underhill Flats
■ Turn left on to unpaved River Road, then take the third left on to Pleasant Valley Road and follow it about 10 miles, and take the Upper Valley Road to Jeffersonville and intersection with Route 108
■ Turn right on to Route 108 and travel it for approximately 18 miles to return to Stowe

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Elmore – Lake Elmore State Park, 856 VT Route 12, 802-888-2982
♦ Stowe – Moss Glen Falls and Bingham Falls
♦ Stowe – Gondola skyride, Stowe Ski Resort, 5781 Mountain Road, 802-253-3000

Northeast Kingdom Loop ---------- (210 miles)

--- via St. Johnsbury, West Danville, Hardwick, Craftsbury, Albany, Irasburg, Lowell, Montgomery Center, Jay, North Troy, West Charleston, Lyndonville, East Burke, Hartwellville, East Haven, Island Pond, East Brighton, Bloomfield, Maidstone, Guildhall, Lunenburg, North Concord, Concord, East St. Johnsbury, to St. Johnsbury

■ Start at St. Johnsbury and travel west to West Danville via Route 2 then turn right and take Route 15 from West Danville to Hardwick
■ In Hardwick turn right on to Route 14 and follow it north past Craftsbury, through Albany and to Irasburg
■ In Irasburg take Route 58 west through Lowell and along Hazens Notch to Montgomery Center (some sections of the road are unpaved)
■ Take Route 242 from Montgomery Center, with a side trip to Jay Peak, and back on Route 242 through Jay
■ Go through Jay to intersection with Route 101; take a left and follow Route 101 to North Troy, turn right on to Route 105/5A, follow it to West Charleston
■ Take Route 5A from West Charleston south to Route 5 and take south to intersection with Route 114 just north of Lyndonville
■ Turn left on to Route 114, take it north through East Burke, Hartwellville and East Haven to Island Pond (the last few miles are merged Routes 114 and 105)
■ Travel east from Island Pond through East Brighton to Bloomfield via 105.
■ Travel from Bloomfield, south in the Connecticut River valley, through Maidstone and Guildhall, to merge on to Route 2 and take it west through Lunenburg, North Concord, Concord and East St. Johnsbury to St. Johnsbury

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ St. Johnsbury -- St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1171 Main Street, 802-748-8291
♦ St. Johnsbury – Fairbanks Museum, 1302 Main Street, 802-748-2372
♦ St. Johnsbury – Maple Grove Maple Museum, 1052 Portland Street, 802-748-5141
♦ Jay – Jay Peak Tramway, Jay Peak, 4850 VT Route 242, 802-988 2611
♦ Island Pond/Brighton – Brighton State Park, 102 State Park Road, 802-723-4360
♦ Guildhall – Maidstone State Park, Route 1, 802-676-3930

Southern Region

Lower Windham County Loop ---------- (90 miles)

-- via Brattleboro, East Jamaica, Rawsonville, South Londonderry, Londonderry, Peru, Weston, Chester, Rockingham, Brattleboro

■ From Brattleboro, take Route 30 northwest to East Jamaica and Rawsonville
■ Turn right onto Route 100 north through South Londonderry to Londonderry
■ For a side trip, turn left and travel west on Route 11 to Bromley Mountain and a spectacular lookout
■ Return on Route 11 east to Peru, then take Hapgood Pond Road to Weston/Landgrove Road which brings you back to Route 100 in Weston
■ Turn left on Route 100, then right on to Andover Road and follow to Route 11.
■ Turn left on to Route 11 east to Chester
■ Turn onto Route 103 to Rockingham
■ Turn onto Route 5 south from Rockingham to Brattleboro

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Brattleboro – Estey Organ Museum, 108 Bridge Street, 802-246-8366
♦ Brattleboro – Latchis Hotel, 50 Main Street, 802-254-6300
♦ Bellows Falls – Three Rivers Gallery, 21 Canal Street, 802-463-1991
♦ Bellows Falls -- Adams Old Stone Grist Mill, Mill Street Under-the-Hill, 802-463-4280
♦ Weston -- Vermont Country Store, 657 Main Street, 802-824-3184

Brattleboro to Mount Snow Loop ---------- (135 miles)

--- via Brattleboro, East Jamaica, Wilmington, Mount Snow, Searsburg, Heartwellville, Readsboro, Readsboro Falls, Whitingham, Jacksonville, to Brattleboro

■ Drive Route 30 northwest from Brattleboro to East Jamaica
■ Take Route 100 south from East Jamaica to Wilmington stopping at Mount Snow via the north or south entrances
■ In Wilmington take Route 9 west to Searsburg
■ Travel Route 8 from Searsburg to Heartwellville
■ In Heartwellville leave Route 8 and travel southeast on Route 100 through Readsboro, Readsboro Falls and Whitingham to Jacksonville
■ Continue on Route 100 north to the intersection with Route 9
■ Complete the tour by traveling east on Route 9 to Brattleboro

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Bellows Falls – Adams Old Stone Grist Mill, Mill Street Under-the-Hill, 802-463-4280
♦ Brattleboro – Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, 10 Vernon Street, 802-257-0124
♦ West Dover -- Mount Snow chairlift ride (Operates through October 15), 39 Mount Snow Road, 802-464-3333
♦ Newfane – Newfane Common
♦ Townshend – Mary Meyer Stuffed Toy Factory, 1 Teddy Bear Lane, 800-451-4387

Southwestern Corner Loop ---------- (104 miles)

--- via Manchester Center, Shaftsbury, Old Bennington, Pownal, Williamstown, Searsburg, Bennington, to Manchester Depot

■ Starting at Manchester Center, follow Route 7A south to South Shaftsbury
■ From South Shaftsbury take Route 67 to Route 67A in Old Bennington
■ Continue to Pownal Center via Bennington and South Stream Road (Morgan Street)
■ Drive Route 7 from Pownal Center to Williamstown, Massachusetts
■ Take Route 2 east to Route 8 north to Searsburg, Vermont
■ From Searsburg, take Route 9 east for a short distance, then, via Somerset Road, an unpaved road, you can take a beautiful side trip to Somerset Reservoir. Retrace your steps to Route 9 and travel west to Bennington
■ Take Route 7 north from Bennington to Manchester Depot

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Manchester Center – Manchester Designer Outlets, 1601 Depot, 802-362-3736
♦ South Shaftsbury – Robert Frost Stone House, Route 7A, 802- 447-6200
♦ Old Bennington – Bennington Battle Monument , 5 Monument Circle, 802-447-0550
♦ Williamstown, Massachusetts – The Clark Art Institute, 225 South Street, 413-458-2303
♦ West Dover -- Somerset Reservoir (off Route 9 just east of Searsburg)
♦ Bennington – Bennington Museum, 75 Main Street, 802-447-1571
♦ Manchester – Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home, 1005 Hildene Road, 800-578-1788
♦ Manchester -- Southern Vermont Art Center, West Road, Manchester, 802-362-1405

* Our thanks to Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing