| This fall foliage scenic drive in Central Vermont is a | | | | The next 20 miles of the scenic drive takes you |
| loop tour of about 150 miles. Although it?s possible to | | | | cross-country on Route 4 to Killington. Killington is a |
| do the drive in one day and bypass many of the | | | | world famous ski area that covers six mountains. At |
| attractions and rambles suggested, I?d recommend | | | | over 4,200? it offers spectacular views from the |
| you carve out a weekend to do it justice. | | | | summit. There?s very few better places to |
| The drive offers some of the best views in the | | | | appreciate the fall foliage than at the top of Killington |
| Green Mountain National Forest, which in the fall is | | | | Peak. If it?s running take the K1-Gondola from base. |
| dramatic and stunning. | | | | You can ride the Gondola daily from late September - |
| The scenic drive follows mostly Route 12 south from | | | | early October. Call ahead for schedule or visit their |
| Montpelier to Woodstock, before heading north on | | | | web site at |
| Route 100 and 100B back to Montpelier. You?ll | | | | Killington is about the halfway point in this tour, and if |
| discover plenty of surprises on the way, but it?s no | | | | you decide to linger overnight in the area then the |
| surprise you?ll experience some magnificent fall | | | | beautiful town of Rutland is close-by with plenty of |
| foliage views all along the way. | | | | lodging. Just be sure to make reservations during the |
| Okay, start the ignition and let?s get going... | | | | heavy visited peak fall foliage season. |
| Our journey begins in Montpelier, the smallest state | | | | The next section of the tour follows Route 100 as it |
| capital city in America. Montpelier is on the northern | | | | borders the Green Mountain National Forest. You?ll |
| fringe of central Vermont, and is 182 miles from | | | | pass through the towns of Pittsfield, Hancock, |
| Boston and 198 miles from Hartford. It can be easily | | | | Granville, and Waitsfield as you tour perhaps the |
| reached from Interstate 89. | | | | most scenic areas and diverse terrain you?ll see on |
| Take Route 12 out of Montpelier and head south to | | | | this drive. |
| Northfield Falls. Vermont has many fine examples of | | | | Just North of Hancock and close to Route 100 on |
| covered bridges, but two of them in Northfield Falls | | | | Route 125 is Texas Falls. The trail to the falls is an |
| can be seen at once, as you look through one to | | | | easy hike and offers marvelous views anytime of |
| other. This is unique in New England and definitely | | | | the year, but especially during fall foliage season |
| worth taking the camera out to capture. | | | | when the colors dazzle. |
| Continue on Route 12 making your way to Bethel. | | | | The larger Moss Glen Falls is just north of Granville a |
| Bethel is one of those Vermont towns that?s a | | | | few miles up from Hancock. The drive from Hancock |
| natural part of the scenery. Could this be why it?s | | | | towards the falls is a two-lane winding road that |
| home to the White River National Fish Hatchery? The | | | | passes through a seven-mile stretch of rough |
| hatchery focuses on restoring Atlantic Salmon to the | | | | wilderness, and worth taking at a slow and easy |
| Connecticut River. It?s open 8:00am - 3:00pm daily. | | | | pace. |
| From Bethel you?ll continue on the final leg of the | | | | The final leg of this central Vermont scenic drive |
| southern route to Woodstock. | | | | from Granville to Middlesex and back to Montpelier |
| The Woodstock area offers a number of attractions, | | | | continues to provide startling scenery and great |
| including Billings Farm and Museum, and Quechee | | | | photo opportunities. Route 100B connects with Route |
| Gorge. Woodstock itself is one of those | | | | 100 just south of Moretown village, and you?ll take |
| picture-perfect Vermont villages that?s fun just to | | | | 100B north to Middlesex and then join Interstate 89 |
| stroll around checking out the boutiques and | | | | for the quick hop back into Montpelier. |
| restaurants. | | | | This fall foliage scenic drive offers oodles of |
| The Billings Farm and Museum was established in | | | | opportunities for detours and backroad excursions. |
| 1871, and today it?s a working farm, and a museum | | | | My advice is to give yourself the time to get |
| depicting farm life in the late 1800s. Depending on the | | | | distracted and follow a few inviting roads leading |
| time you visit the museum has seasonal activities so | | | | away from busy highways, and become a |
| check ahead to see what?s going on the day you | | | | Vermonter for a few days. You?ll appreciate a fall |
| plan to arrive. | | | | Vermont and understand why the people that live |
| Quechee Gorge is Vermont?s little Grand Canyon. Not | | | | here wouldn?t trade it for any other place in the |
| quite as big a crack in the ground as in Arizona, but | | | | world. |
| at a mile long and plenty of hiking and walking trails | | | | Vermonters quip the state really has five seasons - |
| on offer, it?s a chance to admire the scenery and | | | | spring, summer, fall, winter, and the famous mud |
| stretch the legs. Be sure to walk to the picnic area | | | | season. But my personal favorite in Vermont is the |
| overlooking the falls for a Kodak moment. | | | | fall. Take this tour and you?ll understand why. |