Scenes of Vermont Forums

I would like to know if you can recommend scenic covered bridges in areas of my upcoming Vermont trips. Perhaps a list for those doing northern Vermont this season would also be helpful. Then we can save them for future excursions. I've seen a couple, but never really concentrated on covered bridges before and am open to suggestions. My guests are very interested. Willing to go off the beaten path if necessary! Thank you!

1. Southern VT: The area between Bennington and Wilmington up through the Newfane, Grafton, Chester, Weston, Townshend corridor, back over to Dorset and down to Arlington.

2. Central VT: Areas betwikt and between Rochester, Warren, Middlebury and Brandon.

did you see already this great guide to bridges up north?... http://www.foliage-vermont.com/covered_ ... _route.htm

like you, i'm also curious to know about the best ones that aren't in the north country... hope some of the locals chime in...

For quick references when on the road, there's a state map of Vermont made by American Map Corporation which costs $4.95 that has a list of Covered Bridges. (check local bookstore) The Covered Bridges list gives township, grid and location where to find them on the map. Will not be caught in Vermont without our copy of An Explorer's Guide Vermont by Christina Tree & Sally W. Johnson (10th edition) 11th edition is now out. Bookmark this website: www.countrymanpress.com This guidebook really guides you along when you can't reach Bm or Pwt In fact, I think Countrymanpress may have a Covered Bridge guidebook. Some public libraries stock series of these guidebooks or they can be purchased from a local bookstore.
A map in my Vermont guidebook shows there are six Covered bridges in the Tunbridge township on Route 110 then nearby Route 14 in Randolph area there are three Covered bridges.
2005, drove right by two easy accessable bridges on Route 4 to Quechee, the Lincoln Bridge (3 miles SW of Woodstock) and Taftsville Bridge (right off Rte 4 in Taftsville) The Taftsville Bridge is a beautiful, long red bridge. The dining room at Simon Pearce in Quechee overlooks the Ottauquechee River facing a covered bridge. There is also the Middle Bridge in the town of Woodstock.
Your guests will indeed enjoy seeing some of the lovely bridges. Nobody should leave Vermont without seeing some. They are everywhere!

There is a nice covered bridge shot in West Arlington, which has a "church/steeple" behind it (its actually not a church, but the Grange Hall). Its a morning shot. A short way South of Manchester Village, you come to Arlington. At the Junction of Route 7A and 313 in the Village of Arlington, take 313 to the West (note that if you are coming up 7A from the South, 313 to the East joins 7A South of the Village of Arlingon. Do not take this one, but continue up into the Village of Arlington). 313 (Battenkill Road) follows the Battenkill River to the Western border of the state, about 6 miles. Take 313 about 4 miles to the Bridge and turn left, go through the bridge, and you will see a parking area at the Grange Hall behind the bridge (I thought it was a church -- and it may have been in the past). The shot is back through the bridge and across the road. There is really no place to park (and if you did, your car would be in the photo), so I waited until traffic was clear (there is no walkway) and walked back through the bridge. Cross the road and then you have to scramble up a steep rock outcropping (there its pretty easy to find a trail up) where you can shoot from above.[/img]

VTliving.com has a great list for every sect. of the state. thats how I planned to see 5 or so. you cant beat it. hope this helps

MMVT and Aspen: Thank you. Borders is holding the Explorer's Guide for me for pickup tomorrow. I'll inquire about their covered bridge guidebook too. Taftsville Bridge looks great. I'll start another folder for bridges now and will try to match some to our routes! (I'm trying to stay organized so as not to waste time on the road!) Folks, keep them coming!

There is a nice grouping of bridges, close together, in Franklin County (what could be described, I guess as the edge of the NE Kingdom -- Franklin County covers from the North Western part of the state over to the middle, at the bottom of the Western end of Hazens Notch). Take VT 118 ( Catch it at E. Berkshire from 105 just North of Enosburg Falls) and you will find them starting just North West of Montgomery. All are visible from the road. There are at least 5 of them, all close together In Montgomery and Montgomery Center. The only one I haven't seen (which might be the best) is the Creamery Bridge, which is South of Montgomery Center just off of VT 118, I believe (118 turns South in Montgomery Center, where VT 58 goes South East up over Hazen's Notch and 242 goes North East up to Jay Peak

There is another string of them just to the South Between Belvidere Center and Waterville (3 or 4). If you continue down 118, it joins 109, which goes between Jeffersonville and Belvidere Center. Obviously, you could start this trip from Jeffersonville too. Take VT 108 North out of Jeffersonville a short way across the bridge and 109 is on your right. Turn Right and follow it through Waterville. the first bridge is on the North East part of town. Again, they are generally easily visible.

There is also Covered Bridges Guiide ( a Tri-fold) that you can get from Amazon which maps virtually all of them in the state. Go on Amazon and do a search for Vermont or Vermont Covered Bridges and it should come up.

Andy and Bridgewater: I just now noticed your replies. I apologize for not including you in my recent thank you post. This is great! So informative! I think many will benefit from your input and I thank you all!

Checked the Countryman Press website
They do have a guide to covered bridges!! It is Covered Bridges of Vermont by Ed Barna

Aspen: crazy! Borders just called and said they have it and are including it with my order! I'll be armed with bridge info when I get to Vermont! I'm trying to locate the trifold map now that Andy suggested which I want to include in my Vermont Library!

Ctyanky, that's wonderful how quickly Borders is getting the Explorer's Guide, Vermont and the Covered Bridges of Vermont guidebooks for you! Count your lucky stars! You are all set! Keep the guidebooks nearby at all times. Never know what may await you in an unknown town that you may pass through, check the guidebook.
That guidebook is jam packed with everything you need to know!
If you locate the tri-fold, post where you find it or how to locate it.
Another neat idea for folks interested in covered bridges is to start your very own personal photo albums of Vermont's Covered Bridges. Be creative and try to capture the names and dates on some bridges in your pictures. Pick up a few postcards of Covered bridges, or other interests to use as "introductions" in your albums followed with a few of your pictures. "Memories are to be made but great to revisit"

Aspen: I'm going to need a rolling suitcase now just for all my VT maps, guidebooks, and printed posts from this forum.

The Shoreham Railroad Bridge by the Richville Pond is being rebuilt and may not be done yet. The Gibou Bridge in Montgomery has been taken down and store until they can find money to restore. Check vermontbridges.com for updates.

Andy wrote:There is a nice grouping of bridges, close together, in Franklin County (what could be described, I guess as the edge of the NE Kingdom -- Franklin County covers from the North Western part of the state over to the middle, at the bottom of the Western end of Hazens Notch).

I hit these yesterday - FWIW, I have posted very detailed info/pics about them:HERE

Caught 11 more today in mid-NH, though several closed/under repair.

AGirl

Andy and Aspen: I could not locate the trifold map anywhere so maybe it is out of print. If either of you have any luck can you post? Not on Amazon anymore. B&N and Borders could not find it either. With the amount of wonderful replies thus far, I think I'll be be going in and out of covered bridges for the next few foliage seasons! But I'd like to add it to my materials if you do find it. Thank you again.