Vermont Route 100 Jeffersonville to Stowe Ridge Road
Vermont's gnarliest ridge road
This forgotten piece of old Vermont connects Jeffersonville to Stowe via a gnarly ridge road that parallels the main Route 100 corridor but climbs into serious Green Mountain terrain. The route starts innocently enough behind the Jeffersonville hardware store, but quickly turns into a technical rock garden as it climbs toward Sterling Ridge. The notorious “Devil’s Staircase” section around mile 6 requires careful line choice through house-sized granite outcrops.
This is expert-level Vermont wheeling — expect mud holes, loose rock, and steep grades that’ll test your low-range gears and diff locks. Stock 4WD won’t cut it; you need real clearance, skid plates, and recovery gear. Best tackled May through October when the mud firms up. No permits required, but respect the working forest. The payoff is authentic Vermont backcountry and bragging rights on one of the state’s most challenging runs.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Technical |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2400 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Jeffersonville, Vermont |
| Land manager | Private/State Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run this trail, or does it need mods?
Stock rigs will get hurt here. You need at minimum a lift, skid plates, and aggressive all-terrain or mud tires — lockers are strongly recommended for the rock ledge sections. A bone-stock rig risks frame contact, torn CV boots, and a very bad day.
When does this trail actually open up in spring, and can you run it after October?
May is the earliest realistic window, and even then early May can be a muddy wreck after snowmelt — late May is safer. After October, early snowfall and freezing temps on the ridge make it genuinely dangerous; stick to May through early October.
Do you need a permit to run this trail, and is any of it on private land?
Portions cross private land and Vermont State Forest — no formal permit is currently required, but respect posted closures and gate signs, which can change seasonally. Trespassing issues have shut down sections before, so check local land access forums before you go.
What's the hardest section and what exactly makes it technical?
The exposed rock ledge climbs mid-trail are the crux — think stacked granite slabs with limited line choices and steep off-camber exposure. Mud holes on the descent side can swallow a tire unpredictably, and there's no easy bailout once you're committed to the ridge.
Are there water crossings, and how deep do they get?
Yes, there are multiple water crossings — depth varies heavily with recent rainfall and snowmelt, but crossings can reach 18–24 inches in wet conditions. Check recent trail reports before you go; after heavy rain these crossings are not optional detours, they're the trail.
Trail track
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