Appalachian Gap (Vermont Route 17)
Scenic drive · Vermont
Vermont Route 17 hairpins up to a 2,369-foot summit between Waitsfield and Bristol, with the Long Trail crossing right at the height of land. Roadside pull-offs open onto the Champlain Valley and the Adirondacks beyond, on one of the state's steepest, most scenic fall drives.
Don’t miss
Peak: October 6–October 10
Color builds from September 24 · mostly bare by October 29
Sampled at Appalachian Gap (Vermont Route 17)’s own coordinates and elevation (728 m) rather than a regional average.
Vermont is sampled at 6 weather points, then moved 1 day earlier so the model agrees with 2 published peak dates from almanac.com. This year's weather has the peak running 1 day earlier than a normal year. How the forecast works
When to go to Appalachian Gap (Vermont Route 17)
Good color holds through about October 17, giving you roughly 23 days from the first turn to past peak. It sits at 2,388 ft, high enough to turn before the valleys do.
Appalachian Gap (Vermont Route 17) on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Vermont, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
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Frequently asked
- When does Appalachian Gap (Vermont Route 17) peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 6–October 10 (best estimate October 8). Color starts around September 24 and is mostly bare by October 29.
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