The Ultimate Fall Foliage Scenic Drive From Burlington, Vermont (100-Mile Loop)
Looking to get out of Burlington, Vermont for the day and check out the beautiful fall foliage? This is the guide for you!
In this blog post, you will find a roundtrip map that will take you on a 100-mile journey to view the best fall foliage outside Burlington. Stops along this route include covered bridges, short hikes, waterfalls, historic buildings, and much more! Also, you will be driving on some of the most scenic routes in the state. The best times to do this drive are in late September through October. Hope you enjoy this road trip guide – be sure to show us where you end up going by uploading photos to our Explore Feed!
Stop #1 – Old Red Mill
- Town: Jericho, Vermont
- Location: HERE
While cruising through Jerico, Vermont, you are bound to pass the iconic Old Red Mill. The mill sits right off Jericho Road (Route 15) where it has stood for since the mid-1800s. The mill was completed in 1856 and it produced buckwheat, graham, brown, and white flour. It also ground corn, oat, and rye into meal. The mill was powdered by the Browns River which begins on Mount Mansfield. For decades the mill produced goods that were sold locally in Northern Vermont. Over time, modern mills took over and the demand for the Old Red Mill was decreasing. In 1945, the mill was closed and much of the machinery inside was closed.
The mill changed hands several times over its 150-plus-year history. In 1972, the newly formed Jericho Historical Society eyed the mill as a structure worth preserving. In 1975, the historical society successfully acquired the mill. It is currently operated as a museum. It should also be noted that the Old Red Mill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Today, the mill is a wonderful place to get a history lesson and also take some photos. The mill is a must-photograph location, especially during the fall when the foliage surrounds the mill. Don’t miss out on this true Vermont gem!
Stop #2 – Mills Riverside Park Covered Bridge
- Town: Jericho, Vermont
- Location: HERE
Mills Riverside Park is 216 acres of open meadow and wooded hillside with a breathtaking view of Mt. Mansfield. Year-round non-motorized recreational opportunities are provided by over six miles of trail. If you are looking to get a great photo at the park in the fall, head down to the river. You will see foliage-covered trees surrounding the river and the iconic covered bridge! The covered bridge was built in 1967 and is open to pedestrians only.
Stop #3 – Grist Mill Covered Bridge
- Town: Jeffersonville, Cambridge, Vermont
- Location: HERE
The Girst Mill Covered Bridge is a lovely covered bridge located just off Route 108 in Cambridge, Vermont. The bridge was built in 1872 and it is one of only a few surviving Burr ach truss style bridges in the state. For over 150 years, the bridge has allowed locals and visitors to pass over the Brewster River. The bridge stretches 85 feet long and has a total length of 17.5 feet. The bridge was named Grist Mill Covered Bridge because of the grist mill that was originally close to the bridge. The mill has since been removed.
The covered bridge was popular for decades after opening. But, over time, the need for the bridge lessened. For much of the 20th century, the bridge was in rough shape and its future was in jeopardy. Due to its age and unique features, the bridge gained the attention of the National Park Service. The National Park Service decided to add the bridge to the National Register of Historic Places on June 13, 1974. This distinction made it clear that the bridge was important and needed to be cared for. In 2001, an engineering study analyzed the bridge to figure out what work needed to be done. In 2004, a full renovation occurred on the bridge which opened the bridge back up to vehicle traffic.
The covered bridge is a wonderful structure to visit year-round, but it is especially beautiful during the fall when it is surrounded by the iconic Vermont fall foliage.
Stop #4 – Brewster River Gorge
- Town: Jeffersonville, Cambridge, Vermont
- Location: HERE
The Brewster River Gorge, also known as the Brewster Uplands, is located just south of the village of Jeffersonville, near the Grist Mill Covered Bridge. The location offers a beautiful view of the river gorge and the small waterfalls. It is a great spot to pull over and take in the beautiful fall colors and capture a unique composition of the Grist Mill Covered Bridge too!
Stop #5 – Sterling Pond Trail
- Town: Stowe, Vermont
- Location: HERE
The Sterling Pond Trail is one of Smugglers’ Notch’s most popular hikes, providing access to a unique mountain-top pond ideal for swimming, fishing (permit required), and wildlife observation. The hike to Sterling Pond is only about a mile each way and connects to a number of additional trails that lead to rewarding vistas of the mountains. Visit in the fall to see this remote pond surrounded by beautiful orange, red, and yellow trees!
Stop #6 – Barnes Camp Loop Boardwalk
- Town: Stowe, Vermont
- Location: HERE
The Barnes Camp Loop Trail is a relatively new trail that can be accessed via the Barnes Camp Visitor Center parking lot. The trail is best known for its beautiful and accessible boardwalk which offers excellent views of wetlands and cliffs. It is most special to walk the boardwalk during the fall season when the foliage is peaking.
The boardwalk is only a short walk from the parking lot of the visitors center.
Stop #7 – Bingham Falls
- Town: Stowe, Vermont
- Location: HERE
Because of its easy access, impressive geology, and photographic nature, Bingham Falls has quickly become one of Vermont’s most famous waterfall hikes. The hike to the falls is only about a quarter-mile long, but it is steeper at the bottom and can be wet and slippery at times. Proper hiking shoes with good tread are highly recommended. During peak foliage, the waterfall really shines. It truly looks like an oasis among the Vermont fall foliage.
Stop #8 – Brookdale Covered Bridge
- Town: Stowe, Vermont
- Location: HERE
Brookdale Covered Bridge was built in 1964 for the Whitecaps Corporation Housing Development and is a “stringer” covered bridge. Stringer means it was built with stringers rather than traditional style trusses and is thus considered a non-authentic covered bridge. Despite this technicality, the bridge is absolutely beautiful. It spans the West Branch Little River and had a hemlock shake roof before being replaced with the current steel roof.
Stop #9 – Stowe Community Church
- Town: Stowe, Vermont
- Location: HERE
Stowe Community Church is one of the oldest non-denominational churches in the country. The church was founded in 1863 and stands in the heart of downtown Stowe. The beautiful church can be viewed from many spots around the town and fall foliage is the perfect backdrop for every photo of the church. Vermont is known for its beautiful churches and the Stowe Community Church definitely is one of the finest in the state!
Stop #10 – Moss Glen Falls
- Town: Stowe, Vermont
- Location: HERE
Moss Glen Falls in Stowe is a 5-star-rated waterfall located just a few minutes from Stowe’s historic Village. The waterfall drops over 125 feet and features different formations including plunges, horsetails, and a fan. The falls are accessible via a short quarter-mile hike. Nothing beats a good waterfall during foliage season!
Stop #11 – Gold Brook Covered Bridge (Emily’s Bridge)
- Town: Stowe, Vermont
- Directions: HERE
Gold Brook Covered Bridge, also known as Emily’s Bridge and Stowe Hollow Bridge, is another iconic spot to visit in Stowe, Vermont. The bridge was built way back in 1844 to facilitate traffic over Gold Brook. The bridge is well-known for being the only 19th-century covered bridge in the state to be built using wooden Howe trusses to carry a public road. It is also the only surviving 19th-century covered bridge in the town of Stowe. Due to its age and unique features, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
The bridge is absolutely beautiful and a wonderful place to stop and take photos.
Stop #12 – The Old Round Church
- Town: Richmond, Vermont
- Location: HERE
The Round Church, also known as the Old Round Church, is a historic church in Richmond, Vermont, located on Round Church Road. It is a rare, well-preserved example of a sixteen-sided meeting house, built in 1812–1813. It was constructed to serve as a community gathering place for the town as well as five Protestant congregations. The Richmond Historical Society maintains it today, and it is open to the public during the summer and early fall. It is also available for weddings and other events. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996 due to its rarity and exceptional state of preservation.
The church sits at the top of a small hill and is surrounded by a few trees. It is a wonderful structure to photograph during the fall when the leaves change color!
Saved this for my trip this weekend!!