Hike Feature: Views

  • Killington Summit via Bucklin Trail

    Killington Summit via Bucklin Trail

    Killington (4235′) is the highest peak in the Coolidge Range. The Bucklin Trail is located on the western side and is the most direct approach to the summit.  

    At Brewer’s Corners parking lot navigate to the Bucklin Trail. The trail gradually follows an old road for about 2 miles before leaving the road and beginning a steadier climb to intersect with the Long Trail (3.3 mi). Turn right to follow the Long Trail south for a short distance to Cooper Lodge. Cooper Lodge is the highest overnight structure on the Long Trail at 3,900’. After the lodge, take the spur trail on the left to reach the summit. The spur trail is only 0.2 mi to the summit, but is extremely steep and may require some scrambling. The open, rocky summit affords fantastic 360 views (3.6 mi). To return, take the spur trail back down to Cooper Lodge, continuing onto the Long Trail till meeting up with Bucklin (7.2 mi). 

  • Deer Leap Trail

    Deer Leap Trail

    The Deer Leap Trail is a relatively short but rugged hike to the top of a rock outcrop with impressive views of the Coolidge Range and Sherburne Pass. The trail starts on the north side of Rt. 4, at the east end of the Inn at Long Trail parking lot. Note that it is suggested to park across Rt. 4 as there is more space available. Be very cautious crossing the road to get to the trailhead, as it is on top of a busy blind hill. Once at the trailhead climb steadily for 0.5 miles on Deer Leap/Sherburne Pass Trail going north until the intersection with the Appalachian Trail (AT). This first section is very rocky. Turn left and follow the AT for about 200 feet. At the intersection with Deer Leap Trail turn left and continue for .4 mi to the Overlook Spur, which leads 0.2 mi to the Deer Leap Rock Lookout (1.1 mi). To return either continue back down Deer Leap Trail to Sherburne Pass Trail (2.2 mi) or continue past the overlook to make a loop (see description below). 

    To extend your hike, try the 3.5 mi Deer Leap Loop! From the Overlook Spur, continue 0.9 mi on the Deer Leap Trail until intersecting with the AT again. Turn right (AT north) and follow the AT 0.8 mi back to the original intersection. Turn right on the Deer Leap Trail/Sherburne Pass Trail to return to the parking lot. 

  • Maine Junction via AT/LT

    Maine Junction via AT/LT

    The Long Trail (LT) and Appalachian Trail (AT), two long distance hiking trails, overlap in Vermont from Massachusetts for roughly 100 miles. The AT splits off from the LT in Killington at what is known as the Maine Junction.  

    Starting at the AT/LT VT Rt. 4 parking lot, cross US-4 (please note that this is a very busy road). Follow Long Trail North for 1.0 mi towards Willard Gap and Maine Junction with the Appalachian Trail. Continue onto the Appalachian Trail going south for 0.9 mi (1.9 mi). At the intersectionwhere the AT continues east, take the Sherburne Pass Trail going south for 0.5 mi towards Sherburne Pass (2.4 mi). Cross US-4 with caution as this crossing is busy and on a blind hill (note that this crossing is 1.0 mi east from the first crossing at the AT/LT parking lot). Continue across the parking lot for Sherburne Pass/Pico Peak/Deer Leap back into the woods. Follow Sherburne Pass Trail for 2.7 mi. to intersection with Pico Camp (5.1 mi). Continue another 0.4 mi to Jungle Junction (5.5 mi). From Jungle Junction with the Long Trail, turn right onto Long Trail South for 3.8 mi back to AT/LT VT US- 4 parking lot (9.3 mi).

  • Killington Summit via Sherburne Pass Trail

    Killington Summit via Sherburne Pass Trail

    For a longer trip to the top of Vermont’s second-highest peak, take the Sherburne Pass Trail south from the parking lot at Rt 4. Pass Pico Camp (2.7 mi) and continue another 0.4 mi to an intersection with the Long Trail at Jungle Junction (3.1 mi). Follow the LT South as it gradually climbs for 2.3 miles to Cooper Lodge, the highest shelter on the Long Trail at 3,900’ (5.4 mi).

    From Cooper Lodge, continue on the LT 0.2 mi to the 0.2 mi Killington Spur to climb steeply to the summit (5.8 mi.). This final spur trail is the hardest part of the whole hike, but leads to an open summit with 360-degree views so the reward is substantial! Return the way you came for 11.6 miles 

  • 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.  

  • Camel’s Hump View Trail

    Camel’s Hump View Trail

    This lollipop-style loop trail features multiple gorgeous views of Camel’s Hump, which are especially good as the leaves begin to fall in autumn. The trail also features several benches, which offer nice rest spots.  

    From the sign at the parking lot, head out on the main path. Soon you will come to a split where you can go clockwise or counterclockwise on the trail. Whichever direction you choose, be sure to stay on the wide, blue-blazed Camel’s Hump View Trail, as there is a cross-country ski trail which crosses it at one point.   

    NOTE: This is a universally accessible trail. It includes elevation changes at more substantial grades than many paved rec paths and boardwalks. The trail surface is dirt and gravel and may not be passable by wheelchairs designed for smooth surfaces, especially once fallen leaves are on the path. 

  • Forest City, Long Trail, and Burrows Trail Loop

    Forest City, Long Trail, and Burrows Trail Loop

    This challenging loop to the Camel’s Hump summit is a fun alternative to the popular out-and-back Burrows route. 

    Starting at the Lower/Forest City lot, take Forest City Trail follow an old logging road and cross over Brush Brook, passing an intersection with the Forest City Connector (0.8 mi). Continue on Forest City Trail, climbing gradually for 1.4 mi. to the intersection with Montclair Glen Lodge and the Long Trail (2.2 mi). Turn left/north on the white-blazed Long Trail North and continue straight for 0.2 mi. through a four-way intersection in Wind Gap (2.4 mi). From Wind Gap, Long Trail North climbs 1.5 rugged miles to an intersection with the Alpine Trail (3.9 mi). This section of trail includes rock scrambles which may be challenging for some dogs.

    Soon after passing the Alpine Trail junction, the summit is a steep 0.2 mi on open rock (4.1 mi). Note that this side of the summit is extremely steep open rock and may not be appropriate for people with an intense fear of heights. Ascent will be significantly more difficult in the rain or fog. 

    The summit of Camel’s Hump is one of the five tallest in Vermont at 4,083’ and offers 360-degree views to the Adirondacks, Whites, and Green Mountains. From the summit, continue on Long Trail North over the summit for 0.3 mi until reaching the Hut Clearing (4.4 mi). Take a left onto Burrows Trail at this intersection, and continue on Burrows Trail for 2.1 mi until reaching the Upper Forest City/Burrows lot (6.5 mi). You can either take the Forest City Connector (0.1 mi) back to the Forest City Trail (0.8 mi) or hike down the road back to your car for a total of 7.6 miles. 

    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.   

  • 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. 

  • Duxbury Window Trail

    Duxbury Window Trail

    A great option on a clear day! From the parking area on Duxbury Road, hike south on the Long Trail. Cross a bridge over Gleason Brook (0.6 mi), then on to a beautiful lookout over the Winooski Valley with a bench (1.6 mi). Note: Most of the hike is a gradual incline, but the trail is fairly steep for a short stretch just before the Window. To return follow Long Trail back south to parking lot (3.2 mi.).  

  • Camel’s Hump Summit via Monroe and Alpine Trails

    Camel’s Hump Summit via Monroe and Alpine Trails

    From the Monroe Parking lot, follow the blue-blazed Monroe Trail for 1.3 mi. At the intersection with Dean Trail, stay right on Monroe for 1.2 mi (2.5 mi). At intersection with the Alpine Trail continue right on Alpine Trail for 1.2 mi (3.7 mi). Turn left onto Long Trail South for 0.8 mi towards the summit (4.5 mi). From the Hut Clearing continue on Long Trail South for 0.3 mi (4.8 mi). to the summit.  The summit of Camel’s Hump is one of the five tallest in Vermont at 4,083’ and offers 360-degree views to the Adirondacks, Whites, and Green Mountains. Continue over the summit on Long Trail South for 0.3 mi. until reaching the yellow-blazed Alpine Trail (5.1 mi). Note that this side of the summit is extremely steep open rock and may not be appropriate for people with an intense fear of heights. Descent will be significantly more difficult in the rain or fog. 

    Turn left on the Alpine Trail and pass the site of a plane crash. A very short detour leads to the wing of a B-24J Liberator military airplane that crashed in 1944, killing all but one of the men aboard. Please be respectful of the site if visiting. Follow Alpine Trail to the intersection with Monroe (5.6 mi). Take Monroe Trail for 2.5 back to parking lot (8.1 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.