Smugglers' Notch (Vermont Route 108)
Scenic drive · Vermont
Route 108 squeezes through Vermont's most dramatic mountain pass, threading hairpin turns beneath 1,000-foot cliffs between Mount Mansfield and Sterling Peak. The 3.5-mile stretch between Stowe and Jeffersonville closes each winter and peaks with maple and birch color in early-to-mid October.
Don’t miss
Peak: October 3–October 7
Color builds from September 18 · mostly bare by October 26
Sampled at Smugglers' Notch (Vermont Route 108)’s own coordinates and elevation (670 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 Smugglers' Notch (Vermont Route 108)
Good color holds through about October 14, giving you roughly 26 days from the first turn to past peak. That runs roughly 1 day earlier than the rest of Vermont. The 2,198 ft elevation accounts for most of the difference.
Smugglers' Notch (Vermont Route 108) 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 Smugglers' Notch (Vermont Route 108) peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 3–October 7 (best estimate October 5). Color starts around September 18 and is mostly bare by October 26.
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