Hiking and Vermont go together like peanut butter and jelly. One of the many things about hiking in Vermont is that there are loads of options and levels of difficulty to choose from when planning your trek. Maybe you’d like an easy afternoon with the family, or something that involves camping overnight. Some of the more experienced hikers challenge themselves to the mother of all trails, The Long Trail in Vermont
The Long Trail is America’s first long-distance hiking trail, created in 1910 along with the Green Mountain Club, an organization which, to this day, maintains and promotes the trail. The full length of the Long Trail from Massachusetts to the Canadian border is about 280 miles, packed with rugged mountain terrain and dense forests with sweeping mountain views, making it an unbelievably scenic trail in Vermont.
One of the many great things about the long trail is that you can choose to do just a small part, or go the length, or maybe something in between. End to Enders usually takes three to four weeks to complete the length of the Long Trail, camping out in one of the many shelters or in a tent, stopping along the way to venture into the Vermont villages to restock their food and water supply. This is not an easy task, but it’s been done and is on the bucket list for many.
Here are some of the gorgeous views you’ll take in on your journey. Happy trails!
The Long Trail has signs posted to keep you on course.
Flickr/dvs The Green Mountain Club is the “founder, sponsor, defender and protector” of the Long Trail System and develops policies and programs for “the preservation, maintenance, and proper use of hiking trails for the benefit of the people of Vermont.”
Views from Vermont’s tallest mountain, Mt. Mansfield.
Flickr/Charles Wohlers View from the ridge of Mt. Mansfield, looking south from below the peak.
Footbridge Upstream
Flickr/Charles Wohlers Looking upstream from the Lamoille R. footbridge.
Clark Brook Trail Hike
Flickr/dvs Killington View overlook at Mt. Roosevelt.
Stay in one of the many shelters maintained by the Green Mountain Club.
Flickr/Josh Townsley There are about 70 overnight sites spread no more than a moderate day’s hike apart along the Long Trail System.
Tillotson Camp
Flickr/Charles Wohlers Shelters range from fully enclosed lodges to three-sided lean-tos and tent sites.
Corliss Camp Shelter
Flickr/Charles Wohlers All shelters, although primitive, have a water source (purity and reliability cannot be guaranteed) and privy. Availability is on a first come first serve basis.
Corliss Interior
Flickr/Charles Wohlers Interior of Corliss Camp. There is an additional sleeping area in the loft above.
The Long Trail is abundant with mountain and water views.
Flickr/Rebecca By the Quechee Gorge.
Gorgeous spots are abundant on the Long Trail.
Flickr/Josh Townsley The Green Mountain Club, as well as individuals hiking the trail, keep it pristine.
Calarendon Gorge Bridge
Flickr/Philip Werner Bridges can make your hike a little easier, but don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights!
View South
Flickr/Charles Wohlers View to the south from above the tree line.
Gifford Lake Punchions
Flickr/Philip Werner Punchions allow you to hike a little easier and are essential during mud season.
Roundtop Shelter
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
Above Clarendon Gorge
Flickr/Philip Werner Be sure to stop often to soak in the sights, sounds and smells during your trek.
View North From Mt. Grant
Flickr/Charles Wohlers View north from Mt. Grant. The main ridge has Mts. Abraham & Ellen. Then is Camel’s Hump and finally Mansfield in the far distance. These are 4 of the 5 mountains in Vermont over 4000 feet.
Belvedere Tower View
Flickr/Charles Wohlers View southwest from the fire tower. Green Mountains are on the left and the Adirondacks are in the far distance.
Mad River Valley
Flickr/Mad River Valley Looking out over the Mad River Valley from the Long Trail just north of General Stark Mountain and Mad River Glen.
These beavers have been busy!
Flickr/Charles Wohlers Lockwood Pond, a beaver-enlarged pond just above Tillotson Camp.
Thundering Falls
Flickr/Rebecca
Camel’s Hump View
Flickr/dvs
Knowing where to start with learning about the Long Trail can be intimidating. If you are interested in hiking the Long Trail in Vermont, first check out the Green Mountain Club’s official website to learn much more about the Long Trail and to get acquainted with an overview of this epic trek in Vermont.
Flickr/dvs
The Green Mountain Club is the “founder, sponsor, defender and protector” of the Long Trail System and develops policies and programs for “the preservation, maintenance, and proper use of hiking trails for the benefit of the people of Vermont.”
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
View from the ridge of Mt. Mansfield, looking south from below the peak.
Looking upstream from the Lamoille R. footbridge.
Killington View overlook at Mt. Roosevelt.
Flickr/Josh Townsley
There are about 70 overnight sites spread no more than a moderate day’s hike apart along the Long Trail System.
Shelters range from fully enclosed lodges to three-sided lean-tos and tent sites.
All shelters, although primitive, have a water source (purity and reliability cannot be guaranteed) and privy. Availability is on a first come first serve basis.
Interior of Corliss Camp. There is an additional sleeping area in the loft above.
Flickr/Rebecca
By the Quechee Gorge.
The Green Mountain Club, as well as individuals hiking the trail, keep it pristine.
Flickr/Philip Werner
Bridges can make your hike a little easier, but don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights!
View to the south from above the tree line.
Punchions allow you to hike a little easier and are essential during mud season.
Be sure to stop often to soak in the sights, sounds and smells during your trek.
View north from Mt. Grant. The main ridge has Mts. Abraham & Ellen. Then is Camel’s Hump and finally Mansfield in the far distance. These are 4 of the 5 mountains in Vermont over 4000 feet.
View southwest from the fire tower. Green Mountains are on the left and the Adirondacks are in the far distance.
Flickr/Mad River Valley
Looking out over the Mad River Valley from the Long Trail just north of General Stark Mountain and Mad River Glen.
Lockwood Pond, a beaver-enlarged pond just above Tillotson Camp.
Share this post if you have hiked any part of Vermont’s famous Long Trail and let us know if you’ve ever done an end to end! What other outdoor adventures in Vermont do you think everyone should try?
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Address: Long Trail, Warren, VT, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
the Long Trail in Vermont June 11, 2020 Luke What’s the most beautiful hike in Vermont? There are so many gorgeous hikes in Vermont that it’s virtually impossible to narrow it down to just one. Along the Long Trail, there are many sections that are simply stunning. Mt. Mansfield (Sunset Ridge Trail) or Camel’s Hump (Camel’s Hump Trail) would definitely be high on the list as well. These two hikes are on the longer side and they also have a fairly high vertical trek, but if you can withstand the burn in your legs, the views are quite the payoff. For more information about hiking Mt. Mansfield, check out this article here. And if you are interested in hiking Camel’s Hump, take a look at this post here. Which hikes in Vermont are short and sweet? Ah yes. After reading all about these long and exhausting hikes, it’s nice to hear about some short and sweet hikes. Take a look at this article here if you are interested in discovering 9 awesome shorter hikes throughout Vermont. For a quick overview of the article, such hikes as Eagle Mountain, Moss Glen Falls, and Snake Mountain will be featured. Happy hiking! What are the best family-friendly hikes in Vermont? The great thing about hiking in Vermont is that you don’t have to hike for miles and miles to experience outlooks and varying terrain. Here are some of the best kid-friendly hikes in Vermont that are fun and enjoyable for the whole family: 1. Sterling Pond Trail in Stowe; 2. Pond Loop in Manchester; 3. Owl’s Head in Marshfield; 4. Mount Olga Trail in Wilmington; 5. Mount Philo in Charlotte. You cannot go wrong with any of these beautiful and family-friendly hikes in Vermont.
The OIYS Visitor Center
the Long Trail in Vermont
June 11, 2020
Luke
What’s the most beautiful hike in Vermont? There are so many gorgeous hikes in Vermont that it’s virtually impossible to narrow it down to just one. Along the Long Trail, there are many sections that are simply stunning. Mt. Mansfield (Sunset Ridge Trail) or Camel’s Hump (Camel’s Hump Trail) would definitely be high on the list as well. These two hikes are on the longer side and they also have a fairly high vertical trek, but if you can withstand the burn in your legs, the views are quite the payoff. For more information about hiking Mt. Mansfield, check out this article here. And if you are interested in hiking Camel’s Hump, take a look at this post here. Which hikes in Vermont are short and sweet? Ah yes. After reading all about these long and exhausting hikes, it’s nice to hear about some short and sweet hikes. Take a look at this article here if you are interested in discovering 9 awesome shorter hikes throughout Vermont. For a quick overview of the article, such hikes as Eagle Mountain, Moss Glen Falls, and Snake Mountain will be featured. Happy hiking! What are the best family-friendly hikes in Vermont? The great thing about hiking in Vermont is that you don’t have to hike for miles and miles to experience outlooks and varying terrain. Here are some of the best kid-friendly hikes in Vermont that are fun and enjoyable for the whole family: 1. Sterling Pond Trail in Stowe; 2. Pond Loop in Manchester; 3. Owl’s Head in Marshfield; 4. Mount Olga Trail in Wilmington; 5. Mount Philo in Charlotte. You cannot go wrong with any of these beautiful and family-friendly hikes in Vermont.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are so many gorgeous hikes in Vermont that it’s virtually impossible to narrow it down to just one. Along the Long Trail, there are many sections that are simply stunning. Mt. Mansfield (Sunset Ridge Trail) or Camel’s Hump (Camel’s Hump Trail) would definitely be high on the list as well. These two hikes are on the longer side and they also have a fairly high vertical trek, but if you can withstand the burn in your legs, the views are quite the payoff. For more information about hiking Mt. Mansfield, check out this article here. And if you are interested in hiking Camel’s Hump, take a look at this post here.
Which hikes in Vermont are short and sweet?
Ah yes. After reading all about these long and exhausting hikes, it’s nice to hear about some short and sweet hikes. Take a look at this article here if you are interested in discovering 9 awesome shorter hikes throughout Vermont. For a quick overview of the article, such hikes as Eagle Mountain, Moss Glen Falls, and Snake Mountain will be featured. Happy hiking!
What are the best family-friendly hikes in Vermont?
The great thing about hiking in Vermont is that you don’t have to hike for miles and miles to experience outlooks and varying terrain. Here are some of the best kid-friendly hikes in Vermont that are fun and enjoyable for the whole family: 1. Sterling Pond Trail in Stowe; 2. Pond Loop in Manchester; 3. Owl’s Head in Marshfield; 4. Mount Olga Trail in Wilmington; 5. Mount Philo in Charlotte. You cannot go wrong with any of these beautiful and family-friendly hikes in Vermont.
