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The Atlas/Vermont/Brandon Gap — VT-73

Brandon Gap — VT-73

36 mi
Length
4
Verified stops
2,200 ft
High point
Scenic
Road type

Vermont Route 73 runs 36 miles from Shoreham in the west to Rochester on VT-100 in the east, crossing the Green Mountains through Brandon Gap. The gap section climbs through forest between Brandon and Rochester, reaching elevations near 2,200 feet, with a cliff-face observation pull-off at the top allowing riders to view the sheer face of Mount Horrid above. The road is lightly traveled compared to the gap roads further north, making it one of the more peaceful Green Mountain crossings. The western approach passes through Brandon, a village with a notable arts scene and direct US-7 access, while the eastern descent drops into Rochester on VT-100.

// Mile by mile

What you'll hit along the way.

Rider-verified stops, overlooks, fuel, and the corners worth knowing about — in the order you'll meet them.

Mile 5.0

Orwell

A quiet rural town that marks the western start of the ride through Vermont's Champlain Valley.

Mile 15.0

Miller Hill

A forested peak that signals the climb into the Green Mountains with views of the surrounding hills.

Mile 20.0

Brandon

A charming Vermont town with cafes, shops, and services conveniently located near the gap's eastern descent.

Mile 25.0

Goshen

A small hill town on the eastern side of the route offering a peaceful finish point amid Green Mountain scenery.

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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.
RouteVermont
6.8/10
Appalachian Gap — VT-17
Vermont
Vermont Route 17 crosses the Green Mountains via the Appalachian Gap ("App Gap"), the highest paved mountain pass in Vermont at 2,369 feet, in Buel's Gore. The road runs roughly 40 miles from Addison in the Champlain Valley east through Bristol, Starksboro, and Waitsfield to Mad River Glen. The eastern approach from Waitsfield packs 53 turns into 3 miles of climbing with sustained 15%+ grades through dense hardwood forest. The summit is within the Long Trail corridor; the Long Trail crosses the road here. The western descent to Bristol and Bristol Cliffs is equally technical. Frequently combined with VT-100 to form the classic Mad River Loop.
40
miles
StopVermont
Appalachian Gap Summit — VT-17
Vermont
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.