MONTPELIER, Vt. –As the foliage colors soften to pastels in the central range of the Green Mountains, full color is emerging across the Champlain Valley and along the river valleys and lakes of central and southern Vermont.
 Foresters expect that the continuing warm weather expected this week will extend the quality of viewing.“The brightest colors will remain on today's brightest trees until we get either another really cold frost or a good wind or rain. Woodlands nearer the lower elevations (major river valleys) will continue to brighten as red oaks start to change to reds and russets,” says Jonathan Bouton, Windsor County forester.
Best Bets: In southeastern Vermont, from Brattleboro to White River Jct., the Connecticut River Valley and its tributaries will be showing full color throughout the week. In addition to the midland views from I-91, Routes 5, 30, 103 and 11 all offer colorful viewing along the rivers and through the villages. Bouton also recommends the long view from atop Mt. Ascutney.
To the west, the Bennington/Manchester region is at peak across the valley and just past peak at the higher elevations. “The Routes 7 and 30 valleys are adorned with beautiful fall color that will last through the coming weekend. Brilliant reds, yellows, oranges, and russet browns can be found at all the lower elevations,” says Bennington County Forester Nate Fice.
Meanwhile, there is still good color in the valleys and hillsides in the Rutland and Woodstock regions, where mild weather and lack of wind and rain have minimized leaf drop. Suggested routes include Route 107 from Bethel to Killington (especially along the White River), Route 100 from Granville to Plymouth, Route 73 from Rochester to Brandon, Route 4 from Quechee to Bridgewater, and Route 140 from Cuttingsville to Wallingford.
The real show appears to be west of the Green Mountains with near to peak colors spilling down the western slopes into the Champlain and Otter Creek Valleys. Suggested drives include Route 7 from Middlebury to Rutland, Route 125 from East Middlebury to Ripton, Route 22A from Fair Haven to Bridport, and Route 73 from Sudbury to Mount Independence on Lake Champlain.
These additional roads offer beautiful views of mid-color foliage on the rolling hills among the green meadows, amber corn fields, and freshly plowed farm land: Route 4 from Rutland west to Fair Haven is starting to peak on the mountains on both sides of the road with outstanding orange, yellow and golds.
Also excellent are Route 3 along the Otter Valley from Pittsford to West Rutland and Route 133 south from West Rutland to Pawlet.
Most of the lower elevations along the northern shores of Lake Champlain are at full color. While viewing is good from major thoroughfares, it is an ideal time to explore less traveled ways throughout Burlington and Chittenden County, as well as the Champlain Islands.
The north central and northern mountain regions are generally past peak, but there are still very strong yellows, oranges and russets in abundance. Tamaracks along Route 16 above Hardwick are changing to a golden fall color. You’ll also see beautiful late season color along Routes 15, 114, 108 and 100.
The Vermont Hospitality Association advises making advance reservations because the most popular lodgings may fill early on the first two weekends in October. Some innkeepers may require a minimum two-night stay.
Vermont tourism officials encourage visitors to take advantage of midweek specials during the foliage season as part of a new statewide “Midweek Peek” promotion. Deals range from discounted lodging to complimentary bike rentals to free Vermont products. For details, visit the Midweek Peek section of our site.
Weekly foliage reports will be available on this web site and also the state’s toll-free visitor information line 1-800-VERMONT. As the season progresses, the reports will be updated twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This section of our Web site has several tools for planning a Vermont Fall Foliage tour including:
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