Vermont is full of hiking trails from easy to the seemingly impossible. But here in the 802 we’re hard working folks and we like to earn our rewards, and when it comes to hiking in Vermont it’s all about the stunning views along with everything we take in on the way. Even if we’re not up for the hikes we could handle in our younger years, some places have toll roads that lead us to the top to take in the spectacular vistas and the excitement of reaching the top is never really out of reach. Let’s take a look at the best hiking spots in Vermont.
Here are some hikes throughout Vermont that are particularly enjoyable. Be sure to share your favorite hikes with other readers!
- Stowe Pinnacle, Stowe
Flickr/Billtacular
Flickr/joenevill A recreational climb to a scenic peak overlooking the Stowe Valley. Take the opportunity to go geocaching here as there are a few to find along the way on this 2.8 mile round trip hike. For more information about this hike, head to this Alltrails page HERE.
- Prospect Rock Trail, Manchester
Flickr/Scott McCracken The view from Prospect Rock is well worth the tired legs. One of the most scenic trails in Vermont, this convenient three hour excursion to an overlook at the edge of the Lye Brook Wilderness.
- Red Rock Park, South Burlington
Flickr/mamichan Boats, beaches, Lake Champlain, Adirondack peaks, the Taconic range, and a view of Camel’s Hump. Not bad for an urban hike less than a mile from the interstate! This easy hike is only 1.2 miles round trip. To learn more about Red Rock Park, visit this webpage HERE.
- Groton State Forest, Kettle Pond Trail and Owl’s Head
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
Flickr/Charles Wohlers This 3 hour hike around a forest pond and a short walk to Owl’s Head Mountain provides both moderate and easy ways to navigate through the trails. Spectacular views await!
- Mount Equinox - Burr and Burton Trail, Manchester
Flickr/Doug Kerr Hikers can trek up to soak in the well earned vista after a rigorous climb to the highest summit in the Taconic Range. Tourists can also motor up the toll road to share the popular view and partake in this epic outdoor adventure in Vermont.
- Abbey Pond, Middlebury
Flickr/Doug Kerr This is a great hike for a rainy day. If you’re determined to tromp through the woods in any kind of weather, take this half day trek by the Abby Pond Cascades and enjoy the ridgetop pond. For more on this hike, visit the Alltrails webpage HERE
- Black Mountain Natural Area, Brattleboro
Flickr/Putneypics A short, energetic family hike to a backcountry peak that’s close to town.
- Mount Mansfield, Stowe
Flickr/Shannon McGee This difficult trail is a classic ascent of a rocky ridge to Vermont’s highest peak. There is also a toll road that’s open in season. The people in this picture skinned (hiked up with their skis) and are about to descend.
Flickr/Mitch The crest of Mt. Mansfield is said to resemble a human face. Can you see it? Check out this post HERE detailing the hike and toll road that goes up to Mt. Mansfield.
- Mount Elmore, Elmore
Flickr/Charles Wohlers This is a hike that will keep the whole family entertained. This 5.2 mile round trip hike passes by the famous and impressive balancing rock.
- Mt. Pisgah, Westmore
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
Flickr/Charles Wohlers Enjoy a three hour hike to breathtaking cliffs overlooking Lake Willoughby. This moderate hike is about 4 miles round trip.
Where is your favorite place to explore? Which trails do you think deserve to be called the best hiking spots in Vermont?
Flickr/Billtacular
Flickr/joenevill
A recreational climb to a scenic peak overlooking the Stowe Valley. Take the opportunity to go geocaching here as there are a few to find along the way on this 2.8 mile round trip hike. For more information about this hike, head to this Alltrails page HERE.
Flickr/Scott McCracken
The view from Prospect Rock is well worth the tired legs. One of the most scenic trails in Vermont, this convenient three hour excursion to an overlook at the edge of the Lye Brook Wilderness.
Flickr/mamichan
Boats, beaches, Lake Champlain, Adirondack peaks, the Taconic range, and a view of Camel’s Hump. Not bad for an urban hike less than a mile from the interstate! This easy hike is only 1.2 miles round trip. To learn more about Red Rock Park, visit this webpage HERE.
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
This 3 hour hike around a forest pond and a short walk to Owl’s Head Mountain provides both moderate and easy ways to navigate through the trails. Spectacular views await!
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Hikers can trek up to soak in the well earned vista after a rigorous climb to the highest summit in the Taconic Range. Tourists can also motor up the toll road to share the popular view and partake in this epic outdoor adventure in Vermont.
This is a great hike for a rainy day. If you’re determined to tromp through the woods in any kind of weather, take this half day trek by the Abby Pond Cascades and enjoy the ridgetop pond. For more on this hike, visit the Alltrails webpage HERE
Flickr/Putneypics
A short, energetic family hike to a backcountry peak that’s close to town.
Flickr/Shannon McGee
This difficult trail is a classic ascent of a rocky ridge to Vermont’s highest peak. There is also a toll road that’s open in season. The people in this picture skinned (hiked up with their skis) and are about to descend.
Flickr/Mitch
The crest of Mt. Mansfield is said to resemble a human face. Can you see it? Check out this post HERE detailing the hike and toll road that goes up to Mt. Mansfield.
This is a hike that will keep the whole family entertained. This 5.2 mile round trip hike passes by the famous and impressive balancing rock.
Enjoy a three hour hike to breathtaking cliffs overlooking Lake Willoughby. This moderate hike is about 4 miles round trip.
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Address: Stowe Pinnacle, Stowe, VT 05672, USAAddress: Prospect Rock Trail, 663 Rootville Rd, Manchester, VT 05255, USAAddress: 4 Central Ave, South Burlington, VT 05403, USAAddress: Groton State Forest, Groton, VT 05046, USAAddress: Equinox Mountain, Manchester, VT 05255, USAAddress: Abbey Pond Road, Abbey Pond Rd, Middlebury, VT 05753, USAAddress: Mount Mansfield, Mt Mansfield, Underhill, VT 05489, USAAddress: Elmore Mountain, Elmore, VT 05661, USAAddress: Mount Pisgah, Mt Pisgah, Westmore, VT 05860, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hiking spots in Vermont June 17, 2020 Luke Which hikes in Vermont are short and sweet? Finding short and sweet hikes is one thing, but finding short trails with amazing views at the end of the hike is a bit harder. If you are looking for more short and sweet hikes to explore, we have compiled a list of such hikes. If you are interested in finding out more about these easy and enjoyable hikes in Vermont, take a look at this article here of 9 wonderful short and sweet hikes in Vermont with a beautiful view at the end to reward you for the journey, no matter how short or long it was. All the hikes on this list are great for the whole family. Happy hiking! What are the most beautiful hikes in Vermont? Nature and hiking opportunities are plentiful in the Green Mountain State. In fact, Vermont has some of the best hiking trails in all of New England (our opinion). Here are some of the best hikes in our state: the hike up to the summit of Mt. Mansfield, which offers some of the most spectacular views of the VT landscape; 2. Mount Pisgah Trail; 3. Camel’s Hump Trail; 5. Lye Brook Falls Trail. 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
best hiking spots in Vermont
June 17, 2020
Luke
Which hikes in Vermont are short and sweet? Finding short and sweet hikes is one thing, but finding short trails with amazing views at the end of the hike is a bit harder. If you are looking for more short and sweet hikes to explore, we have compiled a list of such hikes. If you are interested in finding out more about these easy and enjoyable hikes in Vermont, take a look at this article here of 9 wonderful short and sweet hikes in Vermont with a beautiful view at the end to reward you for the journey, no matter how short or long it was. All the hikes on this list are great for the whole family. Happy hiking! What are the most beautiful hikes in Vermont? Nature and hiking opportunities are plentiful in the Green Mountain State. In fact, Vermont has some of the best hiking trails in all of New England (our opinion). Here are some of the best hikes in our state: the hike up to the summit of Mt. Mansfield, which offers some of the most spectacular views of the VT landscape; 2. Mount Pisgah Trail; 3. Camel’s Hump Trail; 5. Lye Brook Falls Trail. 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
Finding short and sweet hikes is one thing, but finding short trails with amazing views at the end of the hike is a bit harder. If you are looking for more short and sweet hikes to explore, we have compiled a list of such hikes. If you are interested in finding out more about these easy and enjoyable hikes in Vermont, take a look at this article here of 9 wonderful short and sweet hikes in Vermont with a beautiful view at the end to reward you for the journey, no matter how short or long it was. All the hikes on this list are great for the whole family. Happy hiking!
What are the most beautiful hikes in Vermont?
Nature and hiking opportunities are plentiful in the Green Mountain State. In fact, Vermont has some of the best hiking trails in all of New England (our opinion). Here are some of the best hikes in our state: the hike up to the summit of Mt. Mansfield, which offers some of the most spectacular views of the VT landscape; 2. Mount Pisgah Trail; 3. Camel’s Hump Trail; 5. Lye Brook Falls Trail.
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.