Foliage map › Scenic drives › Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch
Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch fall foliage drive
Route 108 climbs from Stowe through Smugglers’ Notch, a narrow pass at 2,162 feet between Mount Mansfield and the Sterling Range, and down to Jeffersonville. At the top, the road squeezes between cliffs and huge boulders in a series of tight turns. The notch typically peaks around September 30, about a week before Stowe village below.
- Route
- VT 108
- From – to
- Stowe to Jeffersonville
- Length
- About 18 miles
- Driving time
- About 30 minutes without stops
- Typical peak
- Sep 30 – Oct 7
2026 foliage season
Typical season
Peak around September 30 at Smugglers' Notch. Turn on JavaScript to see today’s status and the five-week outlook.
Status shown for Smugglers' Notch, at 2,160 feet. See below for other points along the drive.
Peak along the route
Bars show the typical best-viewing window at each point. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s status.
Along the way
- Bingham Falls, a short walk from the road on the Stowe side, where the river drops through a small gorge.
- The top of the notch, where the road winds between cliffs and boulders, some with small caves beneath them.
- The Sterling Pond trailhead, at the height of land, for the climb to a high mountain pond.
- Stowe, at the southern end, with Mount Mansfield rising above the village.
Short walks
Bingham Falls is a short walk. From the top of the notch, the trail to Sterling Pond climbs steeply to a pond high on the ridge.
Good to know
The road through the notch closes in winter. Its tight hairpin turns are not suitable for tractor-trailers, buses, RVs, or vehicles towing trailers.
The season at Smugglers' Notch
Bar height shows how good the viewing typically is on each day, from September 1 through November 30. Colors show the stage, from green through peak red to bare.
Nearby destinations and guides
Trees you’ll see turning
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage on the Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch?
In a typical year, color along the Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch peaks from about September 30 at Smugglers' Notch to about October 7 at Stowe. Weather can shift the timing by about a week either way.
How long is the Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch?
About 18 miles, Stowe to Jeffersonville. About 30 minutes without stops.
Peak dates come from the Leaves.com model of typical years. They are not live observations. How it works.