The 10 Best Hikes in Vermont

While many out-of-staters primarily know Vermont's mountains as a destination for skiing and snowboarding, the hiking our mountains offer is remarkable and varied. The Long Trail extends along the spine of the Green Mountains for the entire length of the state, clocking in at 272 miles. There are over 160 side trails that extend from the Long Trail, offering an abundance of options for day hikes. There are several peaks and trails beyond the Long Trail as well, and innumerable waterfalls and summits to explore. It's hard to pick favorites, but here are a few hikes and mountains that we highly recommend!

1. Mt. Pisgah

Located in the rural Northeast Kingdom, Mt. Pisgah rises above the pristine Lake Willoughby, the hike offering stunning views of the entire lake. Known for its depth (the deepest in the state, other than Lake Champlain!) and clear blue-green water, a swim in Lake Willoughby following your hike is a must!

2. Snake Mountain

Snake Mountain is a wonderful trek for all levels of hikers. The majority of the trail is a former carriage road - until 1925 there was a large hotel on the summit! - making it a wide path with a relatively gradual ascent. The summit overlook is the foundation of the former hotel - a flat concrete platform that offers western views across Lake Champlain to New York's Adirondacks.

3. Camel's Hump

Named for its unique profile, Camel's Hump is one of five peaks in Vermont over 4,000 feet. There are several trail options to the summit - some more arduous and some more family-friendly. Visit Camel's Hump State Park's website for detailed information on all possible routes and to learn about the vegetation and wildlife you may see on your hike.

4. Mount Mansfield

Mount Mansfield is Vermont's highest peak - its substantial ridgeline offering perhaps the most hikes on any mountain in the state. Home to Stowe Resort and adjacent to Spruce Mountain and Smuggler's Notch, trails can be accessed directly from the resorts, as well as from Underhill State Park and Route 108. Mount Mansfield is one of few spots in the state where alpine tundra can be found, which contributed to its being named a Natural National Landmark by the National Park Service.

5. Stowe Pinnacle

A short (but steep!) hike, on a clear day Stowe Pinnacle offers views of Camel's Hump, Mount Mansfield and Mount Hunger. If you're lucky, you'll be joined at some point along the way by the resident golden retriever that lives at the base of the mountain and traverses the trail many times a day.

6. Mount Hunger

Mount Hunger has two trails to the summit from opposite sides of its base. Both are difficult hikes, the ascent from Middlesex finishing with an extended scramble over rock face. The peak offers one of a few 360-degree summit views in the state - you'll want to rest and refuel after your hike up! If you're in the mood for a more strenuous hike, you can do a loop with adjacent Whiterock Mountain or connect to the Skyline Trail and continue onto additional peaks.

7. Falls of Lana

The hike to the Falls of Lana is short but sweet. From Lake Dunmore, a fire road takes you to the falls in under a mile - a short, well-marked side trail brings you from the road to the edge of the dazzling falls, which cut a gorge horizontally down a cliff wall. You can continue your hike up the road to Silver Lake, or into the Moosamaloo National Recreation Area which provides several routes of varying lengths and difficulty.

8. Devil's Gulch

The Devil's Gulch runs between Belvidere and Laraway Mountains, in the northern section of the Long Trail. The Gulch - a narrow and deep ravine - is marked by several large rock formations, tangles of roots and caves and crevices to explore. The hike brings you through a variety of terrain without much change in elevation and is a great trek for a hot day, offering many river crossings and a large pond for swimming.

9. Sterling Pond

Beginning from Route 108, just past Smuggler's Notch Resort, the hike to Sterling Pond begins its steep ascent immediately from the parking area. The hike brings you along a ledge and by several waterfalls as it winds its way through the woods before meeting up with the Long Trail, which leads you a short distance to Sterling Pond. Nestled in Smuggler's Notch Resort, the mountaintop pond is a secluded oasis. You can continue on Elephant's Head trail to loop around the entire pond, or choose to keep going in either direction on the Long Trail to extend your hike.

10. Mt. Elmore

Located in Lake Elmore State Park, Mt. Elmore offers spectacular views from the abandoned Fire Tower that sits on its summit. With two trails to the top - one quite steep and one longer and more gradual - it's possible to do a moderate or more difficult loop. The State Park features gorgeous beaches - it's definitely worth planning for a post-hike picnic and swim.

Now these are just ten of the hundreds of hikes and trails all over Vermont. Do you have any favorites we missed? Send us an email so we can put them on our list. We love to get out and explore new spots we haven't seen yet!

For more information on any of these hikes, as well as hundreds of other options, we recommend visiting AllTrails or The Green Mountain Club - the amazing organization that maintains all of the trails along the Long Trail and offers several other resources to meet all of your hiking needs.