Difficulty: Moderate
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Molly Stark’s Balcony
While short, the route to Molly Stark’s Balcony is a rugged walk on rolling terrain. From the Appalachian Gap parking lot, head north on the Long Trail for 0.4 mi past Mad River Lookout and reaching Baby Stark Mountain. Continue on the Long Trail North for 0.9 mi. over Molly Stark Mountain before a final short descent to the Balcony on the north slope of Molly Stark Mtn (1.3 mi). The Balcony features a…
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Section Hike: Southern Terminus to Route 9
This two or three-day, one-to-two-night itinerary is a great way to get some southern Long Trail miles. Choose either the Pine Cobble Approach Trail or the Appalachian Trail to reach the Southern Terminus. You’ll have around 4,000 feet of elevation gain over 17-18 miles, along with a steep descent down to Route 9. It can…
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Section Hike: Brandon Gap to Route 4
This four-day, three-night, intermediate itinerary can be followed either north or south in Central Vermont, and could be modified to a 2-night trip for a more experienced backpacker. This is a great route for those who are looking to test their backcountry set up for multiple nights without too much mileage or elevation gain. It’s…
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Jerusalem Trail to Orvis Lookout
From the Jerusalem trailhead, ascend the Jerusalem Trail 2.4 miles to the intersection with the Long Trail. Note that this trail passes through an active sugarbush for the first portion, crossing ATV trails and past maple tubes/lines. Be sure to stay on the blue-blazed trail. At intersection with the Long Trail take a left on the white-blazed LT North. Follow it a short distance to Orvis Lookout, which features westerly views…
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Battell Trail to Battell Shelter
From Elder Hill Rd. parking lot, climb steadily through a sugarbush for almost a mile. After crossing two small streams and an old woods road (1.0 mi.), and then another woods road (1.2 mi.), arrive at the LT (2.0 mi.) just south of Battell Shelter. Take a right onto Long Trail North for 0.1 mi until reaching Battell Shelter (2.1 mi). To return, take Battell Trail back down…
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Nebraska Notch to Taylor Lodge
This is a good moderate day hike or beginner-friendly overnight trip. From Stevensville Rd. Trailhead register, take a right onto Nebraska Notch Trail and follow it for1.5 mi. Nebraska Notch Trail is a gradual climb through the woods and near streams to reach Nebraska Notch. Where Nebraska Notch and the Long Trail intersect, take a…
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Sterling Pond
Sterling Pond Trail is short but steep two-mile round-trip hike on the eastern side of Smugglers’ Notch. The excursion can be turned into a half-day or all-day hike by adding connecting trails, including stretches of Vermont’s Long Trail. One of the Long Trail shelters, Sterling Pond Shelter, faces away from the water and its usual…
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Lake Mansfield Trail to Taylor Lodge
From the Trout Club parking lot, follow the trail alongside Lake Mansfield, nestled in the shadows of Mount Mansfield, and continue on Lake Mansfield Trail for 1.6 mi. to Taylor Lodge and a junction with the Long Trail. This route climbs up toward Nebraska Notch and offers great views of the Notch. Return the way…
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Elephant’s Head Cliff (via Long Trail)
There are a few different ways to reach the Elephant’s Head Cliff overlook, which offers spectacular views of Smuggler’s Notch and Mount Mansfield. This description is for the Long Trail route. Start at the Barnes Camp visitor center and take the Long Trail North, which starts behind the building. Cross the West Branch Waterbury River…
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Frost Trail and Butler Lodge Loop
This is a good moderate day hike or beginning overnight trip. A beautiful but difficult 4.8-mile loop can be made by connecting the Frost, Maple Ridge, Rock Garden, and Butler Lodge Trails. The loop provides a variety of terrain with many amazing views, exciting rock scrambles and caves, interesting birch forests, and of course, Butler…