Mad River Valley fall foliage peaks in late September to mid-October, and for those two weeks the Valley is as good as Vermont gets. The hills above Waitsfield and Fayston go orange and red, Route 100 fills up with leaf peepers from across the Northeast and the world. The covered bridges and farm roads get photographed about ten thousand times. It’s genuinely spectacular — and genuinely busy. Plan accordingly, and you’ll have a great trip. Hyde Away Inn has been open through foliage season since 1949, and our staff has watched these hills change color for a long time. Here’s what we know.
When to Come
The Mad River Valley typically hits peak color in the first two weeks of October. Upper elevations turn first — the ridgelines above Sugarbush and Mad River Glen can be brilliant by late September while the valley floor is still mostly green. By Columbus Day weekend, color is usually at or near peak across the whole Valley. The week after Columbus Day weekend is worth considering: foliage lingers on lower slopes, the crowds thin out, and lodging rates ease. If your dates are flexible, target October 5–15 as your primary window.
Best Places to See the Color
You don’t have to go far. These are the spots our staff points guests toward every year:
- Mad River Glen foliage rides — The single chairlift at Mad River Glen runs foliage rides on fall weekends, and they are genuinely the best seat in the house for Valley color. MRG is one of the last cooperatively owned ski areas in the country; even if you’ve never skied there, this is worth your time.
- Appalachian Gap — Route 17 climbs east from Waitsfield over the spine of the Green Mountains to the App Gap summit at 2,356 feet. The drive up is one of the best foliage roads in Vermont. Stop at the top and look west over the Champlain Valley. It’s the kind of view people move to Vermont for.
- The covered bridges — The Great Eddy covered bridge sits right off Route 100 in Waitsfield village, one of the most photographed spots in the Valley. Warren Village has its own covered bridge as well — a short detour south on Route 100 that’s worth the time, especially when the maples around it are fully turned.
- Bragg Hill Road above Waitsfield — A back road that climbs through farms and woodland with wide views back down into the Valley. Worth a slow drive in the afternoon when the light is on the hills. Note: leaf peepers do stop on the side of the road — sometimes partly in the travel lane. Give yourself extra time and extra patience on the popular roads.
- Mad River Path — A multi-use trail connecting Waitsfield and Warren through the valley floor. Walking or cycling it during peak color gives you continuous ridgeline views on both sides. Road cyclists use the valley roads too — again, leaf peeper traffic is real, so ride defensively.
Biking, Hiking, and Getting Out in It
Fall is prime time for both road cycling and mountain biking in the Valley. The terrain off Route 100 and up into the hills is some of the best riding in Vermont, with color on all sides. For hikers, the Camel’s Hump approaches from the Valley side put you in the trees at peak color, and the ridge line views at the top are exceptional on a clear October day. The Green Mountain Club’s website has current trail conditions.
Food, Drinks, and What to Do After Dark
The Waitsfield Farmers Market runs on Saturdays through mid-October on the Mad River Green in Waitsfield village. Local farms, cider, maple syrup straight from the people who made it — go on a Saturday morning before the crowds get thick. Vermont’s craft beverage scene is well-represented in the Valley: a few local breweries and distilleries are worth seeking out for afternoon stops. The Hyde Away Tavern has been pouring Vermont craft beer for 30 years — we rotate taps seasonally and always have something local on. It’s a good place to end an October day, and no reservation needed in the Tavern.
Book Early
Columbus Day weekend fills up fast — some years by August. If you know you want peak foliage, lock in lodging as soon as your dates are set. Hyde Away has nine rooms across the inn and Hyde Away House, most facing the woods and hillside. We’re 1.9 miles from Sugarbush’s Mt. Ellen base and five minutes from Mad River Glen. A few of our rooms are dog-friendly if you’re bringing the dog.
Plan Your Fall Trip
The Mad River Valley in October is the version of Vermont people picture when they picture Vermont. Book your room at Hyde Away and use it as your base. We’ve been here since 1949 and we’ll point you toward the best color we know of — including a few spots that don’t make the usual lists.
