Camel's Hump Trail is a 6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Huntington, Vermont that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Camel's Hump is one of the best hiking trails in the Green Mountains. It is the third highest peak in the state. The summit offers unbeatable views in every direction. The trail can be accessed off of Camels Hump Road, where there is a small parking area. This trail can either been done as an out-and-back hike, which is 6 miles round trip via the Monroe Trail, or a loop hike via Monroe Trail, Dean Trail, and Long Trail. Camel's Hump can also be reached from the Burrows Trailhead via the Forest City Trail to Burrows Trail. This route describes the out-and-back option. You will start the hike on the Monroe trail. The Monroe trail is steep, however has plenty of leveling off during the hike. From the Monroe Trail you will reach the Dean Trail intersection, at which point you have the option to turn left onto Dean Trail and then take the Long Trail up to the summit or continue straight on the Monroe Trail to the summit. If you continue straight on Monroe Trail, you will reach the hut clearing at which point the Monroe Trail ends and becomes the Long Trail. It is then a short climb to the summit. The last part of the hike can become very steep and narrow. If you are afraid of heights this may not be for you. Once you reach the summit you have a 360 degree view of nearly every mountain range in the area. You will see Mount Mansfield to the north and Mount Washington to the east. On a clear day you can even see Canada. From the summit, take the Long Trail south back to the Monroe Trail.
October 1, 2020Great hike. Pique foliage views! Accessed the long trail from Dean and took Monroe down (definitely recommend over coming down the long trail south).
September 30, 2020
September 28, 2020Great trail and as advertised! Only reason for 4 stars instead of five is because it was crowded on and near the summit.
September 27, 2020I’d call the trail “moderate.” There are some small stretches with challenging scrambles toward the summit (after the last trail junction), but the majority of the hike is pretty straightforward with consistent elevation gain on well maintained trails. The views are outstanding and the small alpine tundra above the timberline makes it feel like you’ve conquered something a bit larger. That said, crowds were brutal when we went (9/26- a sunny Saturday in peak leaf peeper season). We arrived at the Monroe trailhead at 7am and had no issue parking right near the trailhead. There were maybe 8 other cars there. We passed a few sunrise hikers returning from the summit and encountered nobody ascending. When we reached the summit (at around 9am), there were probably 15 people up there. Not bad, but it is a small space. We lingered for about 1/2 hour while the crowd steadily grew. By the time we began our descent, we were stepping off to the side every 30 seconds to let people pass on their way up. Between the summit and the junction where the long trail, monroe, Huntington, etc all diverge, we passed 40 people heading up. On the rest of the way down, we counted more than 100. All lots were full and cars were parked on both sides of the road for about 1 mile by the time we got to the car (around 11am). That’s just on the Monroe, and doesn’t take into account the hikers ascending from Huntington or either direction on the Long Trail. I imagine that by 11am, there was a line to get to the summit. Good luck to the steward! It was frustrating having to move every minute or two to allow the next group to pass. I imagine this is far more enjoyable midweek or outside of high leaf peeping season. It’s a great hike, but the crowds definitely sully the experience a bit.
September 23, 2020One of my favorites I've ever done! According to signs on the trail this is actually 3.4 miles on way, so 6.8 in total. I wouldn't rate this hike hard until the very end where you have to scramble/high step pretty good. That's probably the last 0.25-0.3 mile though, after the small clearing where the three trails meet. The rest of it is moderate and absolutely lovely, a steady climb that is well-maintained and just fun to be on.
September 22, 2020Ascended via Monroe and split off to the alpine trail on the left. This was the better way up. Once you find a tree with two yellow markers follow that for about .1 and you’ll see what’s left of the plane crash. Backtrack back up alpine to the summit. There are exposed rock ledges but it’s worth it. At the summit you can see the Adirondacks, Canada and Mt Washington on a clear day. Take Monroe back down. It was about 6.8 total.
September 21, 2020Great trail! Definitely a great workout if you push yourself! I got there at 1:15 on a Monday afternoon and the parking lots were about 3/4 full. There is an overflow parking lot further down from the trailhead but I didn’t see the size of it. The 6 or so miles leading up to the trailhead are dirt roads. Trails are well marked. Not too much scrambling until closer to the summit. For a more challenging climb I recommend going clockwise on the loop leading you up and around the summit. You would turn left onto Alpine Trail (Bad weather bypass) when you get to the trail intersection that states the summit is 0.9 miles away. Then you’ll intersect with the Long Trail for the last .2 miles before the summit. There is more scrambling and steeper rocks heading up to the summit in this direction. I came down this way and would have preferred to go up it. Overall fun hike!
September 20, 2020Beautiful hike, especially when there’s foliage. Gorgeous views at the top. It was definitely a fun hike!
September 20, 2020Nice enjoyable moderately challenging hike, while it is only 3 miles in, those miles are all a gradual uphill so don't gage solely based on milage. I did all 5 of the 4,000 high peaks this weekend and this was my favorite view. Started later in the afternoon on Saturday, lots of people on the trail . Cold up top as with all the high peaks so bring an extra layer and a headlamp if starting later in the afternoon.
September 18, 2020September 7, 2020Awesome trail. One of the best views for that kind of effort. There is some snow even in late May near the top.
September 7, 2020Great hike! Our first in the Green Mountains. Did this on 9/5 and it was dry and not buggy. Took the Monroe trail up and back after reading that its slightly harder than Burrows but not as intense as the Dean trail. Took us about 5 hours (8am-1pm) with a half hour or so at the summit. We are both in our mid-20s and relatively active for reference but I think this trail could be done faster if you push yourself. As other reviewers said, the first 2 miles are nice and gradual and the last mile is steeper. It was tough for me (jello legs!!) but not impossible. Some rocky scrambles but we didn't need hiking sticks. We did have to use our hands for a few spots. I think if the trail was wetter, sticks would have been more useful. The view when you finally crest the tree line is worth it!! And that is before you reach the actual summit. I'm glad we started early because the summit was already busy and the parking lot was completely full when we finished.
September 6, 2020Amazing trek!! Slow & very moderate incline for the first 2 miles. Final mile up is more rocky but still moderate. Beautiful views from the summit & along the trail leading to the summit. 1.5 hours up. Hiked down in the rain & unfortunately my friend fell and broke his fibula- so 6 hours down (of course not the norm). Despite that unfortunate event I loved camel’s hump & recommend to all.
September 6, 2020September 6, 2020Very well maintained trail. Incredible 360-degree view from the top. No bugs today. Took me 4:20 round trip.
September 6, 2020September 6, 2020September 5, 2020great trail for a steady incline, until the top where it gets a little rocky and steeper. my pup handled it all great. breathtaking views on top, but can be really windy. I recommend doing the loop up top clockwise for an easier ascent as well as a scenic descent. after the hike, we headed to the campsite for the evening
September 5, 2020Easy, gradual incline; definitely gets your heart rate up but it’s not technically difficult. Great panoramic views at the top and for the last .5 miles to the summit. Windy on our day of hiking but sunny and not too cold. Very busy at the top, minimal parking at the lots.
September 5, 2020September 3, 2020Beautiful trail! Very well maintained, gorgeous, and the hike was a great challenge. Views were stunning, highly recommend!
August 30, 2020Awesome hike and moderate till the last mile when it gets hard. Summit is stunning!! Being layers, it was freezing up there! (51F but very windy, so sensation was 45F)
August 24, 2020August 24, 2020August 22, 2020Perfect day for a hike, not too hot, beautiful views at the top hundreds of miles panoramic. 10/10 would recommend. Challenging but fun!
August 22, 2020I did it!!
