Peak foliage in central Vermont usually runs from the last week of September through the first or second week of October — the higher ridges turn first, the valleys follow, and the October holiday weekend is the busiest of the year. Both of our estates sit in the middle of it: Wychwood on a wooded hillside in Duxbury, and Boyer Estate on the edge of a state forest in Berlin.
This is a guide to seeing the color from here — the drives, the hikes, and how to time it.
When the leaves turn
Color starts on the high ground and in the north in early-to-mid September and works downhill over the following weeks, with peak usually landing between the last week of September and the second week of October. If your dates are fixed, don’t overthink it — most drives around here run through good color for the better part of a month, and the valleys hold on after the ridges go past.
The drives
Route 100 is the classic: it runs the length of the Mad River Valley through Waitsfield and Warren, thirteen minutes from the Wychwood cabins, with farm stands and covered bridges along the way. Route 17 climbs from the valley floor past Mad River Glen to the top of Appalachian Gap, with a long view down the other side. From Boyer Estate, the drive over to Stowe — 43 minutes — runs through the middle of the state’s best color.
The hikes
From Wychwood: the Hedgehog Brook Trailhead is 15 minutes out and puts you on the Long Trail toward Burnt Rock, a 4.9-mile round trip to open summit ledges. The Monroe Trail up Camel’s Hump, 28 minutes away, is the big one — a hard 6-mile round trip to the best summit views in the range. Hunger Mountain, 27 minutes away on the Waterbury side, is short but steep, with some scrambling near the top.
From Boyer Estate: Boyer State Forest trails start within walking distance, Berlin Pond is 7 minutes, and Hubbard Park in Montpelier — 12 minutes — has an old stone observation tower you can climb for a full panorama without a summit hike.
After the hike
Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Waitsfield is 12 minutes from the Wychwood cabins; Canteen Creemee, 11 minutes, does a maple creemee for the drive home; Prohibition Pig in Waterbury, 13 minutes, covers barbecue and a brewery. From Boyer, Montpelier is 12 minutes for dinner — Three Penny Taproom is the one we keep going back to.
Staying here in foliage season
Fall books earlier than any other season — this year our first October reservations arrived in April, and peak weekends fill months out. Midweek dates stay open longer and run quieter on the trails.
Wychwood is two log cabins on ten wooded acres in Duxbury: Gardener’s sleeps four, with the clawfoot tub on the covered porch into early fall; Alchemist’s is built for a couple. Boyer Estate in Berlin has Earhart Cottage and Meadow Suite, both with the private outdoor sauna — and by late September the evenings are cool enough to use it properly. All four are pet-free, with keypad self check-in.
Where to Stay
Common questions
When is peak foliage in central Vermont?
Generally the last week of September through the first or second week of October. Higher elevations and northern Vermont turn first, starting early-to-mid September, and the color moves into the valleys as October begins.
How far ahead should we book a foliage stay?
Fall is the earliest-booking season we have — this year our first October reservations arrived in April, and peak weekends fill months out. Midweek dates stay open longer.
What’s the best foliage hike near the cabins?
From Wychwood, the Monroe Trail up Camel’s Hump — 28 minutes away, a hard 6-mile round trip to the best summit views in the range. For a fraction of the effort, the stone observation tower at Hubbard Park in Montpelier, 12 minutes from Boyer Estate, gives a full panorama.
Which property is right for a foliage trip?
Wychwood for the hiking and the Route 100 and Route 17 drives — Gardener’s Log Cabin sleeps four, Alchemist’s is built for two. Boyer Estate for the sauna and Montpelier’s restaurants, 12 minutes away. All four are pet-free with keypad self check-in.
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Sources
Last updated July 2026