Smuggler's Notch

Folks often talk about road trips. In these pages we have discussed travel loops of several hundred miles or more. What about a round trip road trip that can be done in a day? I should say in a day about six months of the year.

As this is a round trip you can start anywhere along the route. Let’s say we’ll start in Waterbury, Vermont. This is right on Interstate 89 about 10 miles north of Montpelier, the state capitol.

So starting in Waterbury get on route 100 or “The Skiers Highway” as it is sometimes called. Travel north into Stowe, Vermont. Stowe is a beautiful Vermont town made famous by its ski mountain initially developed by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1933.

Turn left at the junction of route 100 and route 108. 108 will take you toward the ski mountains. Stop along the way often to sample some of the great food, drink and goods that Vermont has to offer. Continue past the entrance to Mount Mansfield Ski Area on the left and Spruce Peak on the right. Within a mile or so you will find yourself in Smuggler’s Notch.

Smuggler’s notch got its name in the days of prohibition when rum runners brought booze from Canada to the US. This road is only passable when there is no snow on the ground but it is sure worth the wait. Stop at the top and take some time to walk around and enjoy the microclimate and the breathtaking scenery.

If you continue over the Notch you will drive down the other side of the mountains and pass Smuggler’s notch Ski Area and eventually find yourself in Jeffersonville, Vermont. This town has a different feel from Stowe but offers wonderful Vermont charm.

In Jeffersonville you will turn left onto Vermont Route 15. Follow 15 through Underhill, Jerico and eventually Essex Junction. Continue through the Junction to Winooski and either get on 89 south to get back to Waterbury of drive into Burlington, Vermont’s largest city to sample more great food and drink, visit internationally famous Church Street Market and Burlington’s beautiful waterfront. When looking out over Lake Champlain you will see the Adirondack Mountains. There are lots of great round trips among those mountains in upstate New York for your next road trip.