Distance: 4-6

  • Bamforth Ridge Shelter

    Bamforth Ridge Shelter

    From the parking area, hike north on the Long Trail. Cross a bridge over Gleason Brook (0.6 mi), then on to Duxbury Window, a beautiful lookout over the Winooski Valley with a bench (1.6 mi). Note that most of the hike is a gradual incline, but the trail is fairly steep for a short stretch just before the Window. Continue past the lookout for 1.1 mi. until reaching Bamforth Ridge Shelter spur trail (2.7 mi). From here it is 0.2 mi. to Bamforth Ridge Shelter (2.9 mi), a cedar log lean-to that is the only shelter along the northern side of Camel’s Hump. To return, continue back south for 2.9 mi. on the LT until reaching River Rd. parking lot (5.8 mi).  

    You can extend this hike to the summit of Camel’s Hump, though it becomes steep and rugged. It is another 3.5 miles past Bamforth Ridge Shelter to reach the summit, with 2,183 ft. of elevation gain.  

  • Burrows Trail

    Burrows Trail

    See the results of a three-year restoration of the extremely popular Burrows Trail, completed by GMC and FPR in 2024. This trail is steep and difficult, but the work put in by crews over the last three years has made the footing a lot more manageable. There are a few new re-routes on the lower part of the trail that were built with sustainable grades, and hundreds of new stone steps to help hikers and slow the flow of water on the trail. 

    From Upper Forest City/Burrows parking area, enter the woods at the edge of the lot, cross a bridge, and begin ascending moderately and steadily on Burrows Trail. After 2.1 miles, reach the “Hut Clearing,” where the Long Trail, Monroe Trail, and Burrows Trail all meet. Turn right, following signs for Long Trail South, to ascend another 0.3 miles to the summit (2.4 mi). This portion of the trail is above treeline and requires some careful footing and light rock scrambling. Take in the 360-degree view from the summit, then return the way you came, traversing back down to Hut Clearing to take the Burrows Trail back 2.1 miles (4.8 mi). 

    Note: Camel’s Hump is home to the alpine zone, one of the three peaks in Vermont that has arctic tundra. The plants are fragile and easily damaged. Help protect the alpine zone by doing the rock walk above treeline, staying on the bare rock. In the summer, a caretaker facilitates summit education, educating hikers about fragile ecosystems at high-use sites along the Long Trail. 

  • Stark Mountain Trail

    Stark Mountain Trail

    Start at the Mad River Glen Single Chair loading station. The Stark Mountain Trail follows a wide service road for 1.5 mi. winding up the ski area. At  the intersection with Sunnyside Trail take a right to continue for 0.9 mi. (2.4 mi.). At the intersection with the Long Trail take a right onto Long Trail North for 0.1 mi until reaching the Stark’s Nest overlook at 3,644’ (2.5 mi). To return to Mad River Glen continue back on Long Trail going south for 0.1 mi. until reaching intersection with Sunnyside Trail (2.6 mi). Continue on Sunnyside Trail for 0.9 mi (3.5 mi.) until returning to Stark Mountain Trail for another 1.5 mi. back to the parking lot (5.0 mi).  

    This hike is a good option for Mud Season, after resort operations have ceased. Please be respectful of recreating on this active ski area. More information from Mad River Glen is available here. 

  • Mt. Abraham via the Long Trail

    Mt. Abraham via the Long Trail

    From the Lincoln Gap trailhead, hike north on the Long Trail for 1.7 miles to Battell Shelter. Continue 0.9 miles on Long Trail North (2.6 mi). This section north of the shelter includes a few rocky scrambles before emerging above tree line and reaching the Mount Abraham summit at 4,006’. Mt. Abe is one of the five 4,000-foot peaks in Vermont, and from the summit there are views of the Champlain Valley and Adirondack Mountains. The summit is also home to a small amount of rare and fragile alpine vegetation. Please take care to walk only on rock, as the plants are easily permanently damaged by foot traffic. To return, head back down the Long Trail going south for 2.6 mi. (5.2 mi).  
     

  • Jerusalem Trail to Orvis Lookout

    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 of Lake Champlain (2.5 mi). To return follow the Long Trail back to meet up with Jerusalem Trail for another 2.4 mi (4.9 mi). 

    You can extend this hike to summit Mt. Ellen, one of Vermont’s 5 peaks above 4,000 feet. From the intersection of the Jerusalem Trail and the Long Trail, head south on the Long Trail for another 1.8 miles. Reach the wooded summit of Mt. Ellen (4.2 mi.). Mount Ellen is viewless, but there are great views from the top of the Sugarbush Ski Area just before the summit! Return the way you came for an 8.4-mile round trip hike (2,483 ft. elev. gain). 

  • Battell Trail to Battell Shelter

    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 to parking lot (4.2 mi). 

    Battell Shelter is a popular overnight destination for end-to-end hikers and beginner backpackers alike. It is only about two miles from the nearest trailhead parking. A new, accessible shelter was built at this site in 2025 to expand capacity. Please take care to sleep only in the designated shelters, as the surrounding vegetation is fragile subalpine species and is suffering from overuse. 

    Note: From Battell Shelter, it is a challenging 0.8 miles on Long Trail North to reach the summit of Mount Abraham, one of Vermont’s five 4,000-footers and home to a small area of rare alpine vegetation. If continuing on to the summit, please take care to walk only on the rocks within the designated trail to protect these fragile plant communities.

  • Nebraska Notch to Taylor Lodge

    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 right and follow the Long Trail South for 0.3 mi (1.8 mi.). The Long Trail then intersects with Clara Bow Trail, an optional side trail climbing over and under enormous boulders through the notch, with a ladder to aide in negotiating a vertical drop. You can also continue on the Long Trail for 0.4 mi. instead of Clara Bow, both routes reach Taylor Lodge (2.2 mi.).

    Taylor Lodge features scenic views of a beaver pond and lovely streams. The lodge provides bunks for 6 to 12 people, along with comfortable bench tables outside. To return either take Clara Bow from the Lodge or Long Trail North (2.6 mi.) back to Nebraska Notch Trail then end at Stevensville Rd. (4.4 mi.).

  • Toll Road

    Toll Road

    The Stowe Auto Toll Road ascends from the Toll House on Route 108. The 150-year-old Toll Road zigs and zags 4.5 miles on an unpaved road up to the Mount Mansfield Summit Station Visitor Center at 3,850’. A drive up the toll road is paid, and all proceeds go to Stowe Mountain Resort. For prices and hours, click here.

    From the parking lot, you can explore the Visitor Center’s interpretive displays and hike along the Mansfield Ridgeline (Long Trail) to additional viewpoints, including the mountain’s highest point, the Chin. For mobility-impaired visitors, the drive to the top of the Toll Road and a visit to the visitor center is a wonderful way to experience Vermont’s tallest mountain.

    From the Summit Station, the Chin is an additional 1.4 mile hike north with an elevation gain of 546’. The footing can be difficult in places, and the hike is rated moderate overall.

    There are numerous side trails extending off the Long Trail on the ridge. These trails can range in difficulty from easy (Amherst Trail) to very strenuous (Cliff Trail, Canyon, and Canyon North Trails). The Green Mountain Club caretakers and volunteers at the Summit Station are a valuable resource in sharing appropriate hike recommendations. All trails on the Mansfield ridgeline require appropriate footwear.

    Overnight parking is not permitted at the top or along the toll road.

    *Note: During mud season, after Stowe Mountain Resort operations have closed for the season, hiking is permitted on the Toll Road. Check the Toll Road website or contact GMC for information.

  • Long Trail South and Haselton Loop

    Long Trail South and Haselton Loop

    From Barnes Camp, take the Long Trail South, across the boardwalk, to the road crossing at Route 108 (0.5 mi.) Cross the road to continue on the Long Trail South and begin a continuous climb up Mount Mansfield’s northern ridge. Come to the junction of the Taft Lodge spur trail, Profanity Trail, and Hellbrook Cutoff Trail (1.7 mi.) Taft Lodge is 300 feet away and makes a great break spot. Continue on the Long Trail South ascending another 0.6 mi to the Chin (2.3 mi.), the highest point in Vermont. This is very steep and exposed requiring some scrambling.

    From the Chin continue south along the exposed, rocky spine of Mount Mansfield another 1.4 miles to the Mount Mansfield Summit Station (3.7 mi.) This is also where the Mount Mansfield Toll Road ends with a large parking lot. Proceed down the Toll Road for 0.5 miles to an intersection with the Haselton Trail (4.2 mi) on your left, entering a ski trail. The trail descends steeply down the mountain side, with spectacular views, crossing and following a couple of ski trails, eventually entering the woods (watch for Haselton Trail sign on your left). The trail exits the woods by the Midway Base Lodge. Follow the Lodge Road to Route 108, turn left following the road 0.3mi. back to the Long Trail south parking lot.(5.8 mi.)

    Mt. Mansfield, the tallest point in Vermont, features a long summit ridge with multiple highpoints. The ridge is said to look like the profile of a person, so its highpoints have names like the Forehead, the Nose, and the Chin (the highest point in Vermont, at 4,395’). It also has long side ridges, like Sunset Ridge. It is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Vermont and can become very crowded, drawing visitors from all over the Northeast and Quebec. In order to avoid crowds, plan to visit early in the morning or on weekdays.

    There are multiple ways up to the summit of Mt. Mansfield from multiple trailheads, so take care to review maps and return to the same trailhead you started from. If planning to start and end at different trailheads, make sure to drop a car and plan for the driving distance between trailheads, which can be as much as two hours.

  • Elephant’s Head Cliff (via Long Trail) 

    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 on a bridge. Follow the Long Trail North, passing an intersection with the Barnes Camp Loop Trail at 0.5 miles. At this point the trail continues, climbing steeply, another 2.4 miles north along the Smuggler’s Notch wall to the Elephant’s Head Spur Trail (2.9 mi). To get to the cliffs, take a left at the spur trail for0.1mile (3.0 mi). Be careful of this on the spur trail because it slopes downward to the cliffs and in wet conditions can be slippery. To return, follow Long Trail South for 2.9 mi. back to Barnes Camp (6.0mi).