Show Northwest Trails

Northeast Region

Parks in this region with hiking trails:

• Brighton
• Elmore
• Kettle Pond
• New Discovery
• Ricker Pond
• Little River
• Seyon Lodge
• Smugglers' Notch
• Waterbury Center

Southwest Region

Parks in this region with hiking trails:

• Bomoseen
• Branbury
• Button Bay
• Emerald Lake
• Half Moon Pond
• Lake Shaftsbury
• Lake St. Catherine
• Mt. Philo
• Woodford

Southeast Region

Parks in this region with hiking trails:

• Allis
• Camp Plymouth
• Fort Dummer
• Gifford Woods
• Jamaica
• Lowell Lake
• Molly Stark
• Mt. Ascutney
• Quechee
• Townshend
• Wilgus

Trail Recommendations

Vermont offers many great trails for hikers of all ages and skill levels. Below are a few recommended places to explore.

Branbury State Park

Located on the shores of Lake Dunmore, Branbury State Park borders the 400,000-acre Green Mountain National Forest and the 20,000-acre Moosalamoo Recreation Area. Together, these areas include more than 70 miles of trails across the western slopes of the Green Mountains.

Popular trails include:

• Falls of Lana – Leads to a series of cascading waterfalls carved into rock.
• Rattlesnake Point – Offers panoramic views of Lake Dunmore and is home to nesting peregrine falcons.
• Silver Lake – A scenic hike to a small mountain lake.

Camel's Hump

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On the Duxbury side of Camel's Hump State Park, the Monroe Trail is challenging, but there's also a ADA-accessible loop with its own parking area.  This loop is 0.8 miles long, is wide and flat, and has three viewing spots to the summit of Camel's Hump.

On the Huntington side, the Burrows Trail is a bit shorter and attracts lots of hikers. Parking fills quickly on weekends and nice weather days. Arrive early (before 8 a.m.) if possible.

All trails become steeper and more rugged near the summit.

Gifford Woods State Park

Gifford Woods State Park is an important hiking crossroads where two major hiking trails meet.  The Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail meet in the park.  If you wanted, you could literally hike from the park south to Georgia or north to Maine!

Nearby Green Mountain National Forest and Coolidge State Forest offer many loop hikes. There are spectacular views from the Deer Leap Mountain trail and lovely waterfalls along Thundering Brook Trail. Because of its location near several trail systems, Gifford Woods is a popular stop for hikers.

Mt. Ascutney

Mount Ascutney is a monadnock, which means it rises alone above the surrounding landscape. Geologically, it is more closely related to the White Mountains of New Hampshire than to nearby Vermont hills.

Four main trails lead from the base of the mountain to the summit. A relatively level ridge trail connects them near the top. They are:

• The Weathersfield Trail.
  • The trail runs 2.9 miles along the south face of the mountain, passing Cascade Falls, the largest waterfall on the mountain.
• The Windsor Trail.
  • The trail runs 2.7 miles to the summit, passing a small waterfall and the remains of an old stone shelter.
• The Brownsville Trail.
  • This trail is 3.2 miles and follows an old logging road, passing an old granite quary and offering great views from the north and west.
• The Futures Trail.
  • This 4.6 mile trail is the longest on Mt. Ascutney. It can be accessed at two points along the state park mountain road.

The Mt. Ascutney Parkway is a 3.7 mile paved road leading to the summit. From the summit, there is a 0.7 mile side trail to an observation tower with a stunning panoramic view of the valley below.

Mt. Mansfield West Side - Underhill State Park

Underhill State Park is a part of Vermont’s 34,000-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest.  The park is on the western face of Mt. Mansfield, nearly half way up the state’s highest peak. Over the summit ridge is the Stowe Mountain Resort, one of North America’s original ski areas.

From Underhill State Park there are four hiking trails to the summit ridge of Mt. Mansfield. The Sunset Ridge trail is the most popular and covers 3.2 miles to the summit.

The Long Trail traverses the summit ridge and, with several trails up both sides of the mountain, many loops are possible.  The ridgeline is almost entirely above tree line. On clear days, you have unobstructed views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. You can see Lake Champlain in the distance, and New York’s Adirondack mountains far beyond! 

Mount Mansfield is one of the two spots in Vermont where you will find true alpine tundra, a vegetative type more common in arctic zones far to the north.

Mt. Mansfield East Side - Smugglers' Notch State Park

Smugglers' Notch State Park is on the east side of Mount Mansfield. Smugglers' Notch is a narrow pass through the mountain with spectacular 1,000 foot cliffs on either side. The pass was once used as a smuggling route between Vermont and Canada.  Today, it is a favorite haunt of nesting peregrine falcons, ice climbers and hikers.

The mountain road is very narrow and winding with many switchbacks and hairpin turns.  The road is only passable in the summer and closes after the first snowfall. The Notch is also a favorite of hikers.

The most popular trail up the mountain is the Long Trail. You can access it from from the Notch.  Heading north, the Long Trail leads past Elephant’s Head to Sterling Pond, a beautiful and serene mountain lake.

Hiking with Kids

People of all ages love to get outside and hike! View a list of family friendly hikes.

Hiking with your Pet

Pets are permitted on trails unless otherwise posted. Here are some basic rules:

• Dogs must be on leash at all times on state park trails
• Pets are expected to have current rabies vaccination
• Please pick up after your pet

Hiking with Groups

If you are hiking with 10 or more people or charging fees, or publicizing the event, you will need to apply for a Special Use Permit. Visit the Dept. of Forest, Parks and Recreation's Leases, Licenses and Special Use Permits page for more information.

Mud Season Hiking

Trail Updates and Closures

Official closures and trail conditions vary widely throughout the state. Before heading out, consult resources like Trailfinder.info and Green Mountain Club Visitor Center (802-244-7037). Spring weather is unpredictable; even if a trail is marked as open, proceed with caution.

What is mud season, anyway?

When the snow starts melting and the temperatures get warmer, most of us want to get outside and hike! But, mud season is not a good time for hiking in certain areas. Rain and melting snow at higher elevations keeping many of Vermont's hiking trails wet and muddy. Hiking on saturated soils causes many problems. Some issues include soil compaction, erosion, trail damage, and injuring surrounding vegetation. Please help protect the fragile trails this time of year by staying off muddy trails.

Higher elevation soils take longer to dry out. Depending on winter snowfall and spring rains, trails drying can vary year to year. A trail may be dry at the trailhead, but be muddy at a higher elevation this time of year. If you notice this happening, please turn around!

Do you need to get out and walk off your cabin fever? Lower elevation trails, dirt roads, and recreation paths are excellent places for early spring walking.

Along with the warmer weather, there are many aspects of nature beginning to emerge for us to enjoy. Thank you for helping to preserve our beautiful natural resources!

Guidelines for mud season hiking

The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation asks the public to follow these guidelines this spring.

Check trail status. 

Official closures and trail conditions vary widely throughout the state. Before heading out, consult resources like Trailfinder.info and Green Mountain Club Visitor Center (802-244-7037). Spring weather is unpredictable; even if a trail is marked as open, proceed with caution. 

Turn around in muddy conditions. 

If you encounter mud, head back—even on an open trail. It keeps you and the trails safe and reduces the work needed to get the roads and trails in shape for the summer.

Seek out durable surfaces. 

There are plenty of ways you can get outside. Dry gravel roads, paved paths, rail trails, and bike paths all hold up well in spring conditions. This is also a great time to try something new: paddling, gravel biking, birdwatching, fishing, or turkey hunting. 

Stay out of the alpine zone. 

Rare and fragile alpine vegetation is especially vulnerable right now. Foot traffic through the mud causes soil compaction and erosion, making it harder for these plants to take root and survive. Give them a wide berth until conditions improve. 

Respect trail signage. 

Local trail managers post closures for good reason. Even without a posted closure, your footprints or bike tires are leaving impressions deeper than half an inch, turn around. Trail conditions can change fast; the absence of a sign is not a green light. 

Check the weather at elevation. 

Conditions at higher elevations can be dramatically different from what you’re seeing in town—think wind, snow, ice, and cold. Check forecasts for your specific destination and always be prepared with extra layers, traction, and a backup plan, including turning around or seeking an alternative place to hike.

Staying away from certain places during mud season makes them ready to enjoy this summer. Have fun out there!

Mud Season Hike Recommendations

Below is a list of great places that we recommend generally for hiking during mud season. 

Southeast Vermont

• Parkway at Mt. Ascutney State Park Trails - after mid-April, when the ice has melted.
• Myron Dutton Memorial Loop Trail at Dutton Pines State Park Trails.
• Pinnacle Trail at Wilgus State Park Trails.
• Sunrise and Sunset Trails at Fort Dummer State Park Trails.
• West River Trail at Jamaica State Park Trails.

Southwest Vermont

• Bomoseen State Park roads (PDF)
• Button Bay State Park roads (PDF)
• Emerald Lake State Park roads (PDF)
• Woodford State Park Trails (PDF)

Northwest Vermont

• Trail Around Middlebury (TAM)
• Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail
• Alburgh Recreation Trail
• Island Line Trail
• Cambridge Greenway Recreation Path
• Roads the summit at Mt. Philo State Park Trails.

Northeast Vermont

• Burke Fire Road (CCC Road) & Toll Road
• CCC Road in Willoughby State Forest
• Cross Vermont Trail - runs west to east across VT
• Lyndon State Forest Trails
• Robert Frost Interpretive Trail
• Stowe Recreation Path 

Central Vermont

• ADA Accessible Peninsula Trail - Waterbury Center State Park
• ADA Accessible Camp Smith Loop Trail - Little River State Park
• Dalley Loop Trail - Little River State Park
• Elmore Fire Tower Trail (Forestry Road section) - Elmore State Park
• Pinnacle Meadow Trail (up to the Pinnacle Meadow Vista) - C.C. Putnam State Forest

The following trails are typically open midway through mud season:

• Anglers' Trail and Stevenson Brook Trail at the Little River State Park Trails.
• Mill Trail to Bingham Falls in Smugglers' Notch State Park
• Nature Trail at Elmore State Park Trails.
• Moss Glen Falls Trail in the C.C. Putnam State Forest.

Trail Running

Trail running combines running with hiking trails. Vermont offers many places to try trail running, from easy rail trails to challenging mountain routes.

Trail Running Resources

• American Trail Running Association
• Trail Runner Magazine
• Runner's World: Trail Running Training
• Training Apps
• Strava 

Additional Hiking Resources

• Green Mountain Club
• Green Mountain National Forest
• Moosalamoo Trails
• Vermont Outdoor Guides Hiking Pages
• Hiking Safety Tips
• Be Tick Smart with the Vermont Department of Health