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).
