Scenic Drives: Route 7A – Manchester, Bennington, Vermont
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010Route 7A in Southwestern Vermont is one of America’s scenic drives. Also known as the “Ethan Allen Highway” this alternate to Route 7 runs from Bennington, Vermont northward to the town of Manchester, Vermont. Nestled in the valleys of the Southernmost Green Mountains, 7A runs through lush farmlands and wooded hollows. Roll down your windows, drop your top or open your sunroof and you can smell deep pine forests and “nature’s best” smells from small family-owned dairy farms. With speed maximums near 45 miles/hour the road is not meant for speeding or aggressive driving, more this is a road which allows you to drive and take in the surrounding bucolic New England farmland and mountain scenery. Think Robert Frost and Grandma Moses to put you in the mood.
Fall foliage season is a great time to drive on Route 7A. Tree colors range from bright orange and yellow to deep, dark red colors and with dark evergreen tree colors mixed in it is a pleasing site to see. We recommend the first week in October for viewing the foliage in this area of Vermont. The last week in September and second week in October can also be good times to view the foliage, but that may be the “shoulder”, either slightly earlier or late foliage viewing.
More about this scenic drive:
- 30 miles long (approx.)
- Runs North-South
- Mostly 2 lanes
- Runs from Bennington to Dorset by way of Arlington and Manchester
- Ride to top of Mount Equinox as a scenic point of interest
- Opportunity for viewing and / or crossing Vermont’s covered bridges
- Option to ride Route 67a as a further detour
- Farm stand shopping available