Plan Your Vermont Hiking Adventure
If you’re looking to lace up your boots and explore the Green Mountain State, you’re in for a treat. Hiking in Vermont offers a perfect blend of peaceful forest paths, sweeping mountain views, and charming New England charm around every turn. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a weekend stroll, Vermont hiking trails deliver beauty in every season.
Here are the Top 10 Best Hiking Trails in Vermont that you won’t want to miss.
1. Camel’s Hump – Monroe Trail, Duxbury
Distance: 6.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~2,600 ft
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Camel’s Hump is one of Vermont’s most beloved peaks, known for its undeveloped summit and sweeping alpine views. Starting at the Monroe Trailhead, the hike ascends steadily through mixed hardwood forest, transitioning into coniferous stands as you gain elevation. The final push opens to a rocky, bald summit with panoramic views of the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, and even the White Mountains of New Hampshire. As the state’s third-highest peak at 4,083 feet, it’s a must-do for anyone serious about Vermont hiking.
2. Mount Mansfield via Sunset Ridge, Underhill State Park
Distance: 6.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~2,600 ft
Difficulty: Difficult
Mount Mansfield, the highest point in Vermont at 4,393 feet, is an epic adventure. The Sunset Ridge Trail, accessed through Underhill State Park, offers some of the most rewarding views in New England. You’ll pass through alpine meadows, scramble over exposed rock faces, and follow a ridgeline that gives constant views west toward the Adirondacks. Expect variable weather and bring layers—it can be 20 degrees cooler at the summit. For anyone seeking challenging hikes in Vermont, this is a crown jewel.
3. Sterling Pond Trail – Smugglers’ Notch
Distance: 2.1 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~900 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
This family-friendly trail offers a quick but invigorating climb to a beautiful alpine lake nestled at over 3,000 feet. Starting from the Notch, the trail switchbacks through a mossy forest and opens to Sterling Pond, Vermont’s highest trout pond. Whether you’re picnicking lakeside or linking with the Long Trail for a longer loop, this is a peaceful gem in northern Vermont. It’s especially magical in the early morning or late afternoon light.
4. Mount Pisgah – Lake Willoughby
Distance: 4.1 miles round trip (South Trail)
Elevation Gain: ~1,600 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
If you’re chasing epic lake-and-mountain views, Mount Pisgah is a must. Rising dramatically over Lake Willoughby in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, this trail climbs steadily through hardwood forest to several cliffside lookouts. The North Lookout is a particularly stunning spot, with sheer drops to the crystal-clear waters below. Bring a camera—Vermont hiking doesn’t get more photogenic than this.
5. Hamilton Falls Trail – Jamaica State Park
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~500 ft
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Ideal for a leisurely day outdoors, this hike begins along the West River Trail and branches off to climb gently through forest to reach Hamilton Falls—a 125-foot waterfall cascading into a tranquil pool. This is one of the best hidden trails in Vermont, and it’s especially refreshing during the summer months. Don’t forget your swimsuit if you’re visiting after heavy rain, when swimming may be safe in lower pools.
6. Lye Brook Falls Trail – Manchester
Distance: 4.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~900 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Tucked into the Green Mountain National Forest near Manchester, this quiet trail winds through dense woods, babbling brooks, and fern-covered glades. The reward? Lye Brook Falls, a tall, dramatic waterfall dropping over 125 feet in multiple tiers. It’s a great hike for nature lovers looking for solitude and serenity, and one of southern Vermont’s top trails for hiking and photography.
7. The Long Trail – Multiple Segments
Distance: 273 miles total
Elevation Gain: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
As the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the U.S., the Long Trail is the backbone of Vermont hiking. Stretching from the Massachusetts border to Canada, it passes through nearly every major mountain range in the state. While thru-hiking takes 3–4 weeks, you can tackle beautiful day hikes from dozens of trailheads. Popular sections include the climbs to Stratton Mountain, Mount Abraham, and Jay Peak. Every mile promises classic Green Mountain scenery.
8. Mount Abraham – Lincoln Gap
Distance: 5.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~1,600 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
From Lincoln Gap, the Long Trail takes you through high-elevation forest, bog boards, and rocky scrambles to Mount Abraham’s exposed summit. At 4,006 feet, it’s one of the state’s few 4,000-footers and offers stunning views across the Champlain Valley, into the Adirondacks, and beyond. Hike it during peak foliage for a kaleidoscope of fall color across the ridgelines.
9. Deer Leap Overlook – Killington
Distance: 2.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~500 ft
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
For a quick hike with a big payoff, Deer Leap is hard to beat. Starting just across from the Inn at Long Trail, this short trail winds uphill through pine forest and opens to a rocky overlook with jaw-dropping views of Pico Peak and the Killington ski slopes. It’s particularly stunning at sunset and a great intro to Vermont hiking for newcomers.
10. Moss Glen Falls Trail – Stowe
Distance: 0.9 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: ~150 ft
Difficulty: Easy
A true crowd-pleaser, this quick stroll off Route 100 in Stowe leads to one of the most scenic waterfalls in the state. Moss Glen Falls cascades down a mossy cliff into a picturesque pool and is easily accessible year-round. Perfect for families, photographers, and anyone looking to experience the beauty of Vermont without a long trek.