Starting at Underhill State Park follow Park Road Trail until its intersection with the Sunset Ridge Trail and CCC Road Trail (0.9 mi.). Take a right at the intersection to follow CCC Road for 1.1 mi. (2.0 mi.). At the intersection of Maple Ridge and Frost Trail, take a left onto Maple Ridge Trail continuing past two other side trail intersections (Rock Garden and Wampahoofus) for 1.1 mi. until reaching the Forehead (3.1 mi.). The Forehead offers views of surrounding mountains and a unique perspective of the Mount Mansfield ridgeline. Follow Long Trail North for 1.8 mi. (past the Mount Mansfield Visitor Center 0.7 mi from Forehead) until reaching the summit also known as the Chin (4.9 mi.) at 4,395 ft. Note there are several trail intersections along the ridgeline. Continue “straight” on the Long Trail until reaching the highest point.
From the Chin (4.9 mi.), turn back down Long Trail going south for 0.2 mi. until reaching Sunset Ridge and Laura Cowles Trail intersection. Take a right from the Long Trail onto a connector trail for 0.1 mi. (5.0mi.) until reaching the intersection. Turn right, going down Sunset Ridge Trail following an open ridgeline for 2.0 mi. (7.0 mi.). Continue past Laura Cowles Trail intersection for 0.1 mi. (7.1 mi.) until reaching Park Road Trail once again. Follow Park Road for 0.9 miles back to Underhill State Park (8.0 mi.).
Mt. Mansfield, the tallest point in Vermont, features a long summit ridge with multiple high points. 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. Please note that the trails described here leave from Underhill State Park. There area few loop options available from the Underhill Trailhead. 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.
Park Road Trail and CCC Road are not open to vehicles.
