0.37 miles of Long Trail protected, 0.8 miles for planned relocation secured
October 13, 2026
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mollie Flanigan, , 802-241-8217
Lily Sokolov, , 404-775-5948
WATERBURY, VT – The Green Mountain Club (GMC) is pleased to announce that it has been granted two trail right-of-way easements for the current and future route of the Long Trail in Johnson, Vermont by Forest Investment Associates (FIA). FIA, who manage forest investment holdings in the region on behalf of their clients, has facilitated the approval of GMC trail easements to conserve 0.37 miles of existing Long Trail and 0.8 miles of a planned relocation along Dry Ridge, east of West Settlement Road. The latter right-of-way is the last critical connector to make a legally secure corridor for a planned 3-mile Long Trail relocation that will move the Long Trail off West Settlement Road and into the forest, improving safety, hiker experience, and legal standing of the trail.
This relocation has been a long-standing goal of the Green Mountain Club, which since 1996 has been piecing together a protected route for the relocation through seven other trail protection projects. GMC will now pursue the permitting and planning necessary for the project, with the aim of building the treadway in 2030.
“GMC works with willing landowners and partner organizations to secure a legally protected route for the Long Trail and meet landowner needs and goals,” explained Mollie Flanigan, Director of Land Conservation at the Green Mountain Club. “These trail easements are the latest projects in the Long Trail Protection Campaign and provide critical links for the continuity of the Long Trail. GMC is tremendously grateful to FIA and their client for supporting recreation in Vermont and ensuring the future route of the Long Trail across their property.”
The Long Trail is a 272-mile long-distance hiking trail that runs the length of Vermont along the spine of the Green Mountains, from Massachusetts to Canada. The trail draws thousands of Vermonters and visitors each year and provides economic and wellness benefits for local communities. Permanent protection of the Long Trail will ensure that hikers and local communities continue to have access to and benefit from this incredible recreational asset.
“FIA and our client are happy to collaborate on the route of the Long Trail through Johnson to ensure safer passage for hikers under the management of the Green Mountain Club’s continued stewardship,” said Bryan Blankenship, Northern Region Operations Manager at FIA.
The properties in Johnson are managed timberlands, enrolled in the Use Value Appraisal program and are an active part of Vermont’s working landscape. The trail easements are structured to secure the Long Trail’s safe passage and public access in perpetuity while ensuring the landowner’s ability to effectively manage an active timberland.
The Dry Ridge trail easements bring the Long Trail to more than 98% protected, with just 4 miles of the trail remaining on 13 properties without a legal status.
About the Green Mountain Club
The Green Mountain Club was founded in 1910 with one main goal: to build a long-distance hiking trail that spans the length of Vermont’s mountains. The Long Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States, was completed in 1930. Today, Green Mountain Club staff and volunteers care for roughly 500 miles of trail in Vermont, and take a sustainable approach to trail building and maintenance in the face of climate change impacts and increased year-round use of the trails. We support the hiking community with education and access to enjoy Vermont’s beloved trails.