Whenever possible we tend to stay "off the beaten path" unless we're on a tight schedule. This was an efficient route for us and we found it a pleasant drive.We made the somewhat obligatory stop at Hog Back... views are great and we left with several bottles of wine and a maple cream liquor that is amazing. Another good reason to stop here is to learn something of the history of this road... there are a number of closed and abandoned businesses which is both sad and also means less distractions... if you have the time and this route will work into your itinerary you'll find it a pleasant drive.
We took this drive from Bennington to Brattleboro. There are numerous hiking opportunities along the route, but unfortunately we didn’t plan enough time to do any of them. I can’t count the number of times we pulled off for pictures. We were there in the first week of October and the colors were brilliant, although they hadn’t peaked. They needed another week. We passed through several small towns, one with a picturesque covered bridge right beside the road. If you want to take in a hike or two and explore the littl bergs, I can see this drive taking all day. For us though, it was only about two hours. I wish we’d have had more time to explore the area.
0.8 mile trail to the fire tower which is quite vertical. If hot and/or humid: be warned, you will be soaked. The view is spectacular. Park is very clean and well maintained.
Great scenery! Worth the trip!Would be gorgeous drive in the fall! Hope to return to see the foliage,
Can recommend haystack mountain trail, and bald mountain, both off of rte 9, both well marked and maintained. Drive itself was pleasant, and eventually reaches Brattleboro, another quaint Vermont town. About halfway between Bennington and Brattleboro is the 100 mile view lookout on the side of the road. Worth the drive.
Definitely worth the drive. Lots of scenic places to stop, my husband and I really enjoyed the Mount Olga trail at Molly Stark State Park, the fire tower at the top gives an amazing view of the surrounding mountains. We also enjoyed Green Mountain National Forest - Little Pond, we didn't complete that hike, but what we did see was beautiful.
I hike as often as possible. I love the kiosks and the well kept trails. I will spend next summer going more often and to other parts of the trail, I cannot wait!
Driving along the picturesque road fills your senses with delight. There is a river that runs along the road - the rocks were covered with snow and the water glistened in the sunshine. There are some little shops every so often to stop in - some churches to photograph and some parks where there are trails if you like to hike.
Truly, a beautiful road. My wife and drove this road this fall, absolutely a must see. BUT, don't be in a hurry, it is too beautiful to zip by. Plan on making multiple stops to enjoy the views and the scenery. Make sure you take your camera. This is difinitely a must see.
This wasn't the fall leaf season. The views were okay, but not spectacular. We're not sure what the people saw, who rave about it. It's similar to a drive in the Catskill mountains in NY -- green mountains, streams, lakes (and an occasional statue of a moose).