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The Atlas/Vermont/Appalachian Gap Summit — VT-17

Appalachian Gap Summit — VT-17

The Appalachian Gap ("App Gap") is the highest paved mountain pass road in Vermont, cresting at 2,369 feet on Route 17 in Buels Gore. The summit parking area sits just west of the crest and gives immediate access to sweeping views of the Champlain Valley, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondack Mountains of New York on clear days. The Long Trail crosses here, and a short walk north or south yields even wider panoramas. The eastern approach from Waitsfield climbs through dense hardwood forest with sustained 15% grades and tight switchbacks — generally considered one of the finest motorcycle roads in the state. Open seasonally; check conditions in shoulder season.

Vermont
Region
Viewpoint
Stop type
Standalone stop
Atlas
// Why riders stop

The climb from either side packs sustained technical corners, steep grades, and constant elevation change into a few miles. The summit pull-off is on the right (heading west) just past the crest and has room for several bikes. The western descent toward Bristol is equally rewarding. This is the payoff for the Mad River Valley ride on VT-100 — combine them in a loop with VT-17.

// Rider photos

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// Nearby & related
StopVermont
American Flatbread at Lareau Farm
Vermont
American Flatbread occupies the original farmhouse at Lareau Farm, a 25-acre property on the west side of Route 100 in Waitsfield, Vermont, just south of Waitsfield Village and north of the Mad River crossing. Open Thursday through Sunday evenings, the restaurant bakes thin-crust wood-fired flatbreads (pizza) using local Vermont ingredients in a hand-built outdoor earthen oven. The farm setting — river meadows, gardens, and the 19th-century farmhouse — makes it one of the most atmospheric dining stops on the VT-100 corridor. The restaurant has occupied this location since 1991 and is consistently cited among the best food stops in the Mad River Valley.
StopVermont
Creemee Stand — Wilmington
Vermont
The Creemee Stand is a seasonal roadside soft-serve custard shack at 716 Route 100 North in Wilmington, Vermont, on the southern stretch of the VT-100 corridor near the junction with Route 9. Serving since the 1970s, it is one of the most cited creemee destinations in southern Vermont — the Signature Vermont Maple Creemee is made with locally produced maple syrup. Ice cream is sourced from Wilcox Dairy, the oldest ice cream manufacturer in Vermont. Open daily noon–9 PM during the May–October season. The stand sits in a wide gravel pull-off with easy motorcycle parking directly off Route 100.
StopVermont
Hogback Mountain Scenic Overlook
Vermont
Hogback Mountain Scenic Overlook sits directly beside Route 9 (the Molly Stark Scenic Byway) in Marlboro, roughly 14 miles west of Brattleboro. From an elevation of about 2,400 feet, the overlook delivers a 100-mile panorama spanning three states — southern Vermont's ridgelines, northern Massachusetts, and western New Hampshire. The Hogback Mountain Country Store and gift shop are located at the pull-off and provide parking, a small restroom, and seasonal food options. The viewpoint is accessible within a few steps from the parking area, making it a zero-effort destination on a fast-moving tour of the Molly Stark Trail.