Best trails in Vermont

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.Show more

The main parking lot for this trail has been reported closed for the season (11/07/2020). Mount Mansfield is the highest peak in the state of Vermont and is located in Chittenden County within the Green Mountains. The hike begins at Underhill State Park off of Mountain Road where there is plenty of parking available in the parking area for a fee of $4/person. Because the park has tent camping, there are bathrooms and potable water available at the trailhead. The hike starts along CCC Road. You will continue on CCC Road until you reach Maple Ridge Trail. Maple Ridge Trail is the most technical part of the hike. Two parts of the Maple Ridge Trail stand out as scariest. One is a rock wall that has only limited grips and toe holds, and a fall off that wall would cause serious harm. The second part is a chasm about six feet deep that you have to leap over. As with climbing the rock wall, there is no margin for error with this leap. You have to commit and then execute properly. The average adult may find it frightening but will be able to do it safely. Because of these two challenging sections, it is not recommend to attempt this hike in bad weather conditions where the rocks would be wet or icy. You will then reach the Long Trail and continue along the Long Trail north, passing the forehead, the nose and northward along the ridgeline to the Chin. From there, you can extend the trip up to Adams Apple or turn around and begin the descent along the Sunset Ridge Trail. The is a great hike to Vermont's highest point that boasts spectacular views once you get to the rocky outcrops on the Maple Ridge Trail and will continue to impress on the Long Trail and for most of the descent on the Sunset Ridge Trail. Mount Mansfield is also one of two places in Vermont where Alpine Tundra can be found.Show more

The trail, marked with blue blazes, follows the Lye Brook Trail for just under 2 miles. At around the 1.8 mile mark, there is a spur trail to the right that leads to the falls. There will be a sign, though some have reported it can be misleading. Climbing around the falls is not recommended, as wet rocks can be very slippery.Show more

Sunset Ridge Trail Long Trail Halfway House Trail CCC Road It's recommended by park staff to ascend the Halfway House Trail, traverse the Long Trail to the Chin (highest point in Vermont) and then descend Sunset Ridge. Halfway House is a steep trail, especially close to the Long Trail ridge-line, but has numerous switchbacks along the way. The Long Trail is all above the treeline and provides nearly 360 views of Vermont, Adirondacks, & White Mountains, but there's no shelter in bad weather (wind or rain). Sunset Ridge is a more gradual hike down, so it's less difficult heading down Mansfield; it also is above treeline for the top half and provides excellent views of the Champlain Valley and Adirondacks. Note: Halfway and Sunset Ridge have Blue Blazes, while the Long Trail is White. It's best to avoid Yellow blazed trails because they are generally more difficult rock scrambles.Show more

This is a hike up to Killington Peak where there are far-reaching panoramic views to the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Adirondacks of New York, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The first two miles of the route are very easy with gradual incline, but the upper section before the summit becomes steep and difficult. The trailhead is accessible in the winter, but hikers should bring crampons, snowshoes or microspikes for traction on the upper half of the mountain.Show more

NOTE: As of May 2020, parking lot and trailhead are closed for mud season. Please check the park website for more information. Show more

The access road to this trailhead has been reported closed. You will have to hike to the trailhead (November 2020). During the week or early in the morning, this pond is beyond idyllic featuring subalpine plants, wildlife and quiet water. Starting off directly across from the info station at the parking lot, the first quarter mile is saturated with carefully built stone steps. Much of the first three quarters of a mile is lined with deciduous forest, trickling water and everything else you would expect in a wild area. Those unaccustomed to rocky and uneven surfaces may be interested in something with a bit of ankle support. The climb itself is not unforgiving, like the Hell Brook trail or the Long Trail up Mansfield, as climbing comes in bursts and flats are thrown in often. It's a good starter hike. Once you reach the Long Trail, turn left and within a tenth of a mile, you will approach the pond area. Note though that this area has a very limited growing season and despite what many folks may do due to inadequate signage, one should not approach the pond or walk in the grass; stay on the trail and the rocks to protect this landmark for years and generations to come.Show more