Discover Vermont: The Ultimate Hiking Guide

Lush with hardwood forests that transform into a rainbow of colors during spring and fall, adorned with wildflowers and striped with autumn leaves, Vermont is a paradise for hikers.

Dive into lakes, ponds, or waterfalls to cool off, and you’ll always find a town nearby to reward your outdoor efforts. Known for its thriving locavore movement, Vermont boasts more artisan cheesemakers per capita than any other state in the US, alongside a vibrant microbrewery and microdistillery scene. In brief, there’s always a delicious reward waiting when you’re out of the woods.

1. The Long Trail

Best thru-hike
272 miles (438km), 5-28 days, easy to challenging

The original thru-hike, the Long Trail is the oldest continuous footpath in the United States and served as inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. This scenic path meanders along the spine of the Green Mountains, traversing northern hardwood forests and alpine tundra, and flowing over and through mountain brooks and streams from Massachusetts to Canada.

For those ready to earn bragging rights, completing the end-to-end hike is a notable feat. However, many hikers prefer day trips, “section hiking” over years by tackling the trail for weekends or afternoons. More than 166 miles of side trails offer access to the Long Trail and its 70 backcountry campsites.

In southern Vermont, the Long Trail shares its route with the Appalachian Trail for approximately 100 miles. As the trek progresses north, it becomes increasingly rugged, climbing towards iconic peaks like Mt Mansfield and Jay Peak. Some steep portions in the north feature permanent ladders to assist hikers navigating steep rock faces.

Each season on the Long Trail brings its own beauties and challenges. Spring reveals carpets of blooming flowers alongside potential rainy weather and soggy or snowy summits. Conversely, while warmer summer temps attract crowds and bugs, fall presents unpredictable weather but showcases a kaleidoscope of autumn leaves. Winter transforms the trail into a breathtaking, otherworldly landscape; however, it demands proper gear and navigation skills.

2. Mt Hunger

Best hike for views of Mt Mansfield
4.2 miles (6.8km), 3 hours, challenging

For breathtaking vistas of Mt Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, head up Mt Hunger, towering at 3,538 feet. The trailhead is conveniently located approximately 45 minutes from Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, and just 15 minutes from Stowe.

The first mile is pleasantly mild, but this out-and-back hike climbs steadily, gaining 2,263 feet to the summit, rewarding you with stunning panoramic views of the Green Mountain State. Along the way, hikers encounter rocky stairs, mossy waterfalls, and refreshing swimming holes before reaching the rugged summit, where vistas of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range to the east and the expanse of the Green Mountains greet you.

The last mile, although steep, offers trails thrilling enough to warrant the effort for a bird’s-eye view of northern New England.

3. Mt Philo

Best hike for spotting hawks
1.4-1.9 miles (2.25-3km), 1-1.5 hours, moderate

Champlain Valley, home to Lake Champlain, is often referred to as Vermont’s breadbasket for its rich soils and agricultural abundance. The hike up Mt Philo provides sweeping views of the valley along with the serene Lake Champlain and New York’s million-acre Adirondack Park. Nestled in Charlotte, 968ft Mt Philo stands proudly within Vermont’s 232-acre Mt Philo State Park.

Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, the park features trees, roads, trails, a campground, ranger quarters, picnic area, and a summit lodge.

Some hikers prefer a leisurely paved road to the summit, while others enjoy the trails that meander through the park’s peaceful hardwood forests, leading to stunning views and opportunities for hawk sightings, particularly in late September. Notably, Mt Philo holds the state record for the highest number of migrating raptors observed in a single day.

4. Grout Pond Trail

Best hike for recreational opportunities
2.7 miles (4.3 km), 1-1.5 hours, easy

A great hike isn’t solely defined by altitude gain. The Grout Pond Trail encircles 80-acre Grout Pond and involves only a 249-foot climb, immersing hikers in the scenic heart of the Green Mountains, where you may spot loons, kayakers, wildflowers, mushrooms, and various mosses.

Situated within the 1,600-acre Grout Pond Recreation Area, the lake is an ideal spot for swimming, fishing, and paddling. The area features 10 miles of multi-use, non-motorized trails connecting to the Somerset Reservoir trail system, which becomes home to Vermont’s end-to-end ski trail in winter. Though the trails can be wet, well-placed boardwalks provide easier access. Furthermore, the area offers excellent camping, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing opportunities.

5. Mt Mansfield via Sunset Ridge

Best hike for altitude
5.9 miles (9.5km), 3.5 hours, challenging

For a quintessential Vermont hiking experience, no visit would be complete without conquering Mt Mansfield, standing tall at 4,395 feet, dominating the landscape between Stowe and Underhill. As one of the few rocky mountaintops in Vermont to support Ice Age alpine tundra, it offers a connection to both nature’s beauty and ancient history.

According to legend, the mountain received its name due to its unique profile resembling a man in restful repose, with its summit resembling the chin. Multiple trails lead to Mt Mansfield’s summit. Choose from the open rock ramp of Sunset Ridge or one of its more challenging counterparts for breathtaking views as you ascend. Adventurous hikers may prefer Hell Brook, while an easier approach involves a scenic drive along the 4.5-mile hairpin-turn Toll Road near the mountain’s base.

6. Mt Abe from Lincoln Gap

Best hike for far-ranging panoramas
5.1 miles (8.2km), 4 hours, challenging

Mount Abraham, affectionately called “Mt Abe,” may trace its name back to former President Abraham Lincoln, although it might also commemorate Revolutionary War hero Benjamin Lincoln. Located in Lincoln, Vermont, the 4,006-foot peak is the fifth-highest in the state, and the trail to its breathtaking summit is renowned for its scenic beauty.

The most frequented route to the summit follows Vermont’s Long Trail from Lincoln Gap, where the path ascends along rocky terrain to a shelter with a picnic spot and restroom. From there, a robust climb awaits to reach the summit, leading to one of the best panoramic views along the Long Trail, highlighting New York’s Mt Marcy to the west, the slopes of Killington Resort to the south, and, on a clear day, Mt Washington emerging on the horizon of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range.

7. South Trail, Mt Pisgah

Best hike for mountain lakes and nesting falcons
4.1 miles (6.6 km), 2.75 hours, moderate

In Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Lake Willoughby represents one of the state’s coldest and deepest bodies of water, formed by ancient glaciers. Mt Pisgah comprises the east side of Willoughby Gap, while Mt Hor rises over the west side.

Begin your journey on the South Trail, and after a mile, you’ll reach Pulpit Rock, a nesting site for peregrine falcons presenting stunning views of Lake Willoughby. Some hikers may choose this spot as a turnaround; however, others venture further for even more breathtaking scenery 650 feet above the lake.

The path continues as a moderate-to-challenging route leading to the summit ridge, revealing expansive vistas of northern Vermont and southern Canada as it veers eastward.