A unique public-private network of trail managers
GMC works closely with public and private landowners, government agencies, and fellow non-profit organizations to cooperatively manage the 500-mile Long Trail System, which includes the Long Trail, its side trails, and the Appalachian Trail in Vermont.
Land the Long Trail Crosses
The Long Trail System traverses public land—both federal and state—and private land. While GMC is working to permanently protect every mile of the trail by moving it onto a public land corridor, in the meantime, we greatly respect the private landowners who kindly allow trail usage on their property. Use of these areas is permitted through the generosity of the landowners, often through long-standing arrangements; your respect for these lands is vital to the trail’s continued passage.
Partners
U.S. Forest Service: The USFS is the managing public landowner of the Green Mountain National Forest. The Long Trail from Massachusetts to VT-140 and from VT-140 to Mount Ellen crosses the Green Mountain National Forest.
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation: VTFPR manages state forests and parks that the Long Trail traverses, including Bromley (Hapgood State Forest), Killington (Coolidge State Forest), Glen Ellen north to Appalachian Gap (Camel’s Hump State Forest), App Gap to Winooski River (Camel’s Hump State Park), Winooski River north to Lamoille River (Mansfield State Forest), Lamoille River north to Hazen’s Notch (Long Trail State Forest) and Hazen’s Notch to Canada (Jay State Forest).
The Appalachian Trail, where it branches east from the Long Trail at Maine Junction, runs through a narrow strip of land managed by the National Park Service. GMC is the official trail maintainer for the A.T. in Vermont, and we work with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to conduct maintenance and make trail management decisions.
GMC partners with other non-profit and government entities to complete work on the Long Trail System; this includes the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Northwoods Stewardship Center, Vermont State Parks Trail Crew, National Conservation Corps, and others.
Learn More About Work We Do on the Trail
GMC professional trail crews and staff scout, plan, and conduct complex trail infrastructure projects in collaboration with our partners each year. Learn more about the work happening on the trail.