Top of the Notch

For hundreds of years the road through the area known as “Smugglers’ Notch,” has been a favorite of travelers to the Green Mountain state.

The name is derived from the smugglers who used the route in colonial times for passage to and from Canada.   Today it is traversed by skiers, Vermonters and visitors alike.   They access some of the finest areas for recreation and leaf-peeping the state has to offer, not to mention great places to grab a bite and beer, après ski or lay your head down for the night.

Although it’s only a two-lane road (and a single lane in some parts) and despite the fact that a portion is closed to motorized traffic for the half the year, Vermont Route 108 is still one of the most traveled roads in the state. It’s not a major highway but it links the south side of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s largest peak, to the north side and is one of only two roads in the state to have a “scenic highway” designation.

While, Stowe, which sits at the southern end of Route 108 is perhaps Vermont’s most recognizable name, the north side is starting to make people stop and take notice.

Northridge

Long buried in the shadow of its southerly neighbor, Jeffersonville, a small village at the northern edge of Smugglers’ Notch, is starting to establish itself as a year-round destination for visitors to Vermont that is a little more budget-friendly than its neighbor to the south.   Jeffersonville or Jeff, as it’s known locally, is considered among frequent visitors and residents of the Lamoille Valley as one of Vermont’s best-kept secrets.

Whether it’s floating in a kayak down the Lamoille River, riding a horse up the Sterling Ridge during the peak of the foliage season or hitting some fresh powder stashes in the “back bowls” at a local resort, Jeffersonville offers a range of outdoor activities year-round.

There are numerous hiking trails for all abilities in the area. If an easy stroll by the riverside is all that is desired, The Cambridge Greenway Recreation Path is a flat walking path that you can access in the village and it follows the banks of the Lamoille River for 1½ miles.

For the more advanced hiker, head up into the notch to access the Sterling Pond trail or do some rock climbing.   The Notch is well known local climbers haven.

Jeffersonville is also the home of two of Vermont’s historic covered bridges; The Cambridge Junction Bridge and The Grist Mill Bridge, the latter of which happens to be located right off Route 108 at the edge of the village.

Next week, we’ll discover some of the best places to stay and dine in Jeffersonville.