Upstate NY to Franconia NH with stop in vt

[Pats fan]

We are taking our fall trip this year to Franconia NH on Saturday Sept 29. Planning to stop at east burke vt foliage festival on the way to Franconia. Looking for any suggestions on a scenic route from albany NY to east burke vt and then east burke to franconia. We usually enter vt on route 7 in the Bennington area. Enjoy reading the forum every fall. So much great info.

[pwt54]

Best color in the Bennington area will be in the mountains. Route 100 from route 9 in Wilmington north to Stowe is your best bet. There are 2 main routes to get to the East Burke area from route 100. The first is route US 2 in Waterbury. When you get to US 2 in Waterbury, turn right and drive US 2 east to St. Johnsbury. Or you can drive route 100 through Stowe to Route 15 east in Morrisville. Turn right on route 15 and drive it to the end at US 2 in West Danville and turn left to get to St. Johnsbury. Don't take route 15A in Morrisville to get to route 15. There is bridge work on that road and the road may be closed.

[Pats fan]

Thank You for the great info. Are there are any photo ops on route 2? As we get close to east burke, is it worth getting off 114 and taking darling hill rd? I've read that is a scenic back road.

[Utah Baker]

Yes! To Darling Hill Road. A beautiful area. For photo ops check out two member of this forum, Andy & Carol’s ebook on photographing Vermont. Info at the top of the Foilage forum page. Good luck & happy trails!

[Pats fan]

Ok, will check out the ebook, thank you.

[wentworth]

Ok, will check out the ebook, thank you.

Darling Hill Road is nice indeed

[pwt54]

Route 15 from Morrisville, VT east to US 2 in West Danville should have better color at that time.
Darling Hill Road is a great ride. You should also do route 5A out of West Burke up to Lake Willoughby. It's worth the trip.

[From_the_NEK]

One more thing Pats Fan.......as far as directions from East Burke to Franconia.....I highly suggest you take the following drive. When possible, I always recommend avoiding the highways, as I personally would rather follow the side roads and take in the scenery and be able to stop and pull over for any photo ops you may come across. http://mapq.st/2DnR58L
I hope this link worked.
Carol

Good recommendation to stay off the major routes between E Burke and Sugar Hill. However I would change it up a bit with a drive along Kirby Rd/Ridge Rd instead of driving back into Lyndonville. The views along that road are great.

https://goo.gl/maps/PjFjVapr5Gx

Additionally I will have a display of my photography up at the East Burke Fall Foliage Festival. Stop in an say hi!
Tim Kirchoff Photography

[Pats fan]

Thank you to everyone for the wonderful tips. The link did work Carol, I agree getting off the highway makes for a better trip. I've never been to the nek before, I'm excited to check it out.

Tim, I will be sure to check out your photography at the festival and those back roads you mentioned.

Joe