Appalachian Gap (Vermont Route 17)

Scenic drive · Vermont

Appalachian Gap (Vermont Route 17) in Vermont
Photo: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

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.

Best for: Steep, scenic Green Mountains crossing

Don’t miss

  • 2,369-foot summit crossing
  • Long Trail crosses at the height of land
  • Views to Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks
2026 Forecast

Peak: October 5–October 9

Color builds from September 19 · mostly bare by October 28

Color starts: September 19Peak: October 7Bare: October 28AugustDecember

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 4 days earlier than a normal year. How the forecast works

When to go to Appalachian Gap (Vermont Route 17)

Good color holds through about October 16, giving you roughly 27 days from the first turn to past peak. That is about 1 day later than Vermont as a whole. Most of that is elevation. It sits at 2,388 ft.

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 5–October 9 (best estimate October 7). Color starts around September 19 and is mostly bare by October 28.

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