Best Hikes in Vermont
Hiking in Vermont means stunning hardwood forests, rewarding ridgeline ascents, a kaleidoscope of autumn colors, and a variety of terrain that will leave you in awe. Vermont has a great deal of natural beauty and seeing it on foot is the best way to fully appreciate it. Hike alongside lakes, ponds, waterfalls, and the Green Mountains. Reward your efforts with a stop at a microbrewery or an artisan cheese monger’s nestled in the Vermont countryside.
Below we’ll share our top trails for hiking in Vermont.
Our favorite trails
1. The Long Trail
272 miles | Thru hike
Constructed between 1910 and 1930, the Long Tail is the oldest continuous footpath in the United States. It is well-worn, rugged, muddy, rocky, rooty, and quite beautiful. The 272-mile trail winds along the main ridge of the Green Mountains offering some of the best hiking in Vermont. It starts at the southern Vermont-Massachusetts border and continues North to the US-Canada border. The trail is marked by white blazes on trees and by rock cairns above the tree line. While thru hikers complete the entire 272-mile trail in 20-25 days, most trekkers elect to tackle the Long Trail in section hikes or day hikes.
Challenging day hikes on the Long Trail include Camel’s Hump and Mt. Mansfield (see below), while more moderate day hikes like the Sterling Pond trail offer family-friendly options just off the beaten path. The Green Mountain Club produces a guide book with everything you need to know about hiking the Long Trail. It’s important to keep in mind that changing weather conditions, mud, wind and blackflies may add to the challenge. We recommend going June – September for optimal conditions. Don’t want to do int alone? Join our expert guides on a High Peaks of Vermont Challenge, where we tackle some of the Long Trail’s most iconic summits on a 4-day backcountry adventure. 
2. Mt. Mansfield via Sunset Ridge
~8 miles | 2,700ft gain | Out and back
If you’re looking for an epic (and challenging) day hike, look no further than Mt. Mansfield. At 4,395ft., Mt. Mansfield is Vermont’s highest peak. The mountain is named after its distinctive human-appearing features (a chin, lips, nose, Adam’s apple, and forehead). Mt. Mansfield is also the highest point on the Long Trail and is one of the only two places in the state to boast an alpine tundra ecosystem. There are a few routes to take to the top, but the classic choice is the Sunset Ridge route, accessible from the Underhill State Park.
The trail ascends above the tree line and offers rewarding views of valleys that stretch all the way to Burlington, Lake Champlain, and neighboring New York state. Most hikers opt to hike the 5-mile loop down, following the Long Trail along the ridge that connects the Wampahoofus Trail and the Maple Ridge Trail back to the Sunset Ridge Trail. Total Mileage: ~8 miles, 2,700 ft of vertical gain. If you’re looking for a shorter day, try hiking up to the “Chin.”
Pro tip: Check the weather prior to going and plan your hike for a day with dry conditions and minimal wind – the trail is quite exposed and is not fun to scramble up in the rain. Hike Mt. Mansfield with Wildland Trekking!
3. Mt. Hunger
4.2 miles |~ 2,200ft gain | Out and back
Located just 15 minutes from scenic Stowe, Vermont, this challenging hike offers a less-crowded alternative to Mt. Mansfield. Pass a waterfall at mile 1 and continue to a rocky scramble for the final ascent. At the summit, feast your eyes on a 360-degree view of Mt. Mansfield, Camel’s Hump, the Green Mountains and New Hampshire’s Presidential Range. Reward your efforts with a celebratory trip to nearby Stowe. Perhaps stop by the Ben and Jerry’s Factory for a tour, sample some local cider, or spend the night at the Austrian-inspired Von Trapp Family Lodge.
Stowe and the surrounding mountains come alive in the fall – during leaf peeping season. Join us for the rainbow of fall foliage and a stay at the Von Trapp Family Lodge on our 5-day Vermont Fall Foliage Tour. Without a doubt autumn offers some of the most quintessential Northeast hiking in Vermont.
On the subject of Stowe, Vermont: Phish’s Trey Anastasio (and Vermont native said): “People think if they have money, then everything is going to work out for them. It won’t. That’s why we have Stowe – so people can go there and feel something different than shopping malls”
4. Sterling Pond – Smuggler’s Notch
1.1-3.3 miles | ~1,000ft gain| Out and back or loop
For those seeking a more moderate day hike, try the 3.3-mile Sterling Pond trail in Smuggler’s Notch. The trail winds through the narrow Smuggler’s Notch pass and continues up to an alpine pond – perfect for swimming and fishing (permit required). The hike to the pond is just 1.1 miles, and you can stop there, but we recommend continuing around the pond, connecting with the Long Trail, hooking up with Elephant’s Loop Trail, and then continuing back to the Long Trail to add beautiful mountain and shoreline views to your trip.
Fun fact: Between 1807 and 1809 (and leading up to the war of 1812), the United Stated banned trade with Britain and Canada. This impacted Vermonters, whose business depended upon trading with their Canadian neighbors. Vermonters developed a secret network of caves and hiding spots in the natural pass at Smuggler’s Notch, which allowed them to smuggle goods to and from the North (and later hide escaped slaves and bootleg alcohol during prohibition). This scenic hike is full of secrets! Let our seasoned guides share the inside scoop with you.
5. Stratton Pond and Borne Pond Loop – A.T. & Long Trail
23 miles | 4,200ft gain | Loop
If you have time for an overnight trip hiking in Vermont, check out the Stratton Pond and Borne Pond Loop. This 23-mile loop trail ends on top of Mt. Stratton at fire tower that overlooks the Green Mountain Wilderness and offers views that extend far into Vermont, New Hampshire and New York. The view from the fire tower is said to have inspired James P. Taylor’s idea for the Long Trail as well as Benton MacKaye’s dream to create the AT (so you can only imagine how beautiful it must be).
Travel through maple sugar groves, prime moose territory, swim in cool New England ponds, pick wild raspberries, navigate a world of tall goldenrods, bogs, and streams, and play in the verdant Vermont landscape. At night, curl up in the comfort of the trail’s shelters. This trail is lifechanging. Pro tip: if you only have time for a day trip – stop at Prospect Rock and don’t play a hike or overnight in mud season. The best time to visit is June – Sept.
Vermont Appalachian Trail Backpack
6. Mt. Philo
2.2 miles | 593ft gain | Loop
Birdwatchers take note – Mt. Philo (968ft) is the place to be to see raptors. Tackle this short but sweet 2.2-mile round trip trail in Vermont’s oldest State Park. At the top, enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding valley, Lake Champlain, and New York’s Adirondack Park. Mt. Philo State Park offers both paved and unpaved trails and is one of the most accessible places to enjoy nature in Vermont. The park is famous for its autumn bird migrations – especially Hawks in September. Pro tip: take the opportunity to squeeze past Devil’s Chair, a narrow rocky spur on the trail.
7. Camel’s Hump (Burrows Side)
5 miles | 2000+ ft gain | Loop
At 4083ft, Camel’s Hump (an appropriately named double-lumped peak) is tied for Vermont’s third highest peak. Camel’s hump is situated along the Long Trail in the Green Mountains. This moderately challenging day-hike offers the ultimate reward in views from the top. Although there are multiple ways to the summit, the Burrows Trail is the most common way to ascend, clocking in at around 5 miles and 2000+ft round trip. Alternate routes on All Trails provide unique extensions to the standard summit route. On a clear day, hikers can see Mt. Killington to the south, New Hampshire’s White Mountains to the east, and the Adirondacks to the west.
8. Lake Elmore – Fire Tower Trail
3.4 miles | 1,450ft gain | Out and back
Located in Elmore State Park, the Fire Tower Trail offers a stunning and simple trek up to the Elmore Fire Tower and Balanced Rock (a gravity-defying chunk of granite left behind by an ancient glacier). The Fire Tower Trail gains 1,450 ft over 3.4 miles. Enjoy phenomenal views from the top and cool off with a swim in the lake at the bottom. This hike is perfect for those with kids or dogs in tow.
Hiking in Vermont
The Green Mountain State abounds in natural beauty, human history, local food, and endless recreational opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker looking for a challenge or simply want to get out for stroll, allow our expert trip-planners to craft the perfect Vermont Hiking Tour for you and your group. Challenge yourself on a High Peaks of Vermont Backpacking Trip, opt for our Vermont Fall Foliage Tour, or enjoy the Highlights of Stowe, Vermont. Whichever route you choose, pack your camera! You’re in for an unforgettable adventure in New England.
