Vermont, a northeastern US state, is known for its mountainous landscape covered in forest. It’s home to a rich history with over 100 19th century wooden bridges, and it’s one of the biggest producers of maple syrup in the country. Over this state with just 624,594 people, you’ll find thousands of acres of mountainous terrain with hiking trails and ski slopes at every corner! Below you’ll find some of the best trails in Vermont! If you are looking for more trails, check out the best national parks.
Location: GPS 44.311539, -72.878004
Mileage: 6.0 miles
Hike Time: 4-5 hours
Camel’s Hump Trail is a 6.0-mile loop trail in Huntington, Vermont. It’s a moderately trafficked difficult trail open year-round. Here, you may go dog walking, birding, camping, snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, river, waterfall, amazing views, wild flowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky.
This trail is one of the best hiking trails in the Green Mountains and is home to the third tallest peak in Vermont. It allows you views in all directions. The first part of the hike is a steep walk to various leveled out spots until you reach a hut clearing where Monroe Trail meets Long Trail and will take you to the summit. The final part of the hike is steep and narrow.
If you don’t like heights, then you may not like this height. Once you reach the top, you’ll see everything: every mountain range in the area! On some clear days, you can even see Canada!
Location: GPS 44.556420, -72.774697
Mileage: 2.5 miles
Hike Time: 1-2 hours
Sterling Pond Trail is a 2.5-mile loop trail in Jeffersonville, Vermont. It’s a moderately trafficked moderately difficult trail open from March to October. Here, you may go dog walking, birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, neat views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky and muddy.
Sterling Pond Trail features a gorgeous pond full of subalpine plants and wildlife. But the best part is the quiet serenity. The first part of the hike is full of stone steps which takes you to a path through the deciduous forest and trickling water. Throughout most of the hike, you’ll find rocky and uneven surfaces to make your hike more challenging.
The climb isn’t constant with bursts of flats. It’s just the right amount of challenging for those looking for a workout. Then when you reach the pond, you can enjoy this landmark as so many others have before you!
Location: GPS 41.467185, -73.954817
Mileage: 6.6 miles
Hike Time: 4-5 hours
Mount Equinox Trail is a 4.4 mile out and back trail in Arlington, Vermont. It’s a lightly trafficked difficult trail open from May to October. Here, you may go dog walking, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, lovely views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife.
Mount Equinox trail takes you deep into the wilderness of Vermont past a red gate parking lot and kiosk. The hike is very strenuous with 3,840 feet in elevation in some parts. You follow the blue summit trail up to the top which will take you to outstanding views of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on a clear day. As a neat random fact, in 2011, an old hotel called Sky Line Inn was torn down at the summit for the formation of Saint Bruno Viewing Center which you can now find at the summit.
Location: GPS 43.118032, -73.112537
Mileage: 4.1 miles
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
Mount Pisgah Trail is a 4.1-mile loop trail in Westmore, Vermont. It’s a moderately trafficked moderately difficult trail open from March to October. Here, you may go dog walking, birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, cool views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife.
Mount Pisgah trail is a beautiful and quiet hike. It takes you to Mount Pisgah which is found in a beautiful location where you can overlook Lake Willoughby in northeast Vermont. The cliffs tower over the lake by 1,000 feet which various vantage points depending on what trail you take. There are northern, southern, and eastern trails. Some near cliffs may even bring you to protected nesting peregrine falcons.
Location: GPS 42.913967, -72.919287
Mileage: 4.0 miles
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
Haystack Mountain Trail is a 4.0-mile loop trail in Wilmington, Vermont. It’s a moderately trafficked moderately difficult trail open from March to November. Here, you may go dog walking, birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, amazing views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky.
This one is for the dogs! Your dogs will love this trail. It’s a great trail as it’s not too difficult but the rocky terrain gives you a good workout and it stays interesting. The path itself is clearly marked, but if you go after a rain, a big downside is muddiness. Once you reach the summit, you’ll find the best part of the whole trail. It’s absolutely stunning as you can see out far and wide above Vermont.
The trail starts out with a small incline and lots of gravel then tacks you to a very rocky and rooty part of the trail. If you go after a rain or snow it can be quite wet and slippery, so go during the dry season or bring a dry bag to keep your belongings dry. One of the best parts is the smell of spruce as you hike to the summit. It’s an unforgettable journey!
These are some of the best trails in Vermont, and once you’ve explored them, there’s still so much to see in the state. Beneath the dense Vermont forests are some natural wonders and challenging hikes. If you love those steep inclines, visit Vermont and take on one of the tall mountain paths. If you reach the summit of one of these mountains, please send us your photos! Good luck!
Best Hiking Trails In Vermont
| Rank | Trail | Length (miles) |
| 1 | Camel’s Hump Trail | 6.0 |
| 2 | Sterling Pond Trail | 2.5 |
| 3 | Mount Equinox Trail | 6.6 |
| 4 | Mont Pisgah Trail | 4.1 |
| 5 | Haystack Mountain Trail | 4.0 |
1. Camel’s Hump Trail
Location: GPS 44.311539, -72.878004
Mileage: 6.0 miles
Hike Time: 4-5 hours
Camel’s Hump Trail is a 6.0-mile loop trail in Huntington, Vermont. It’s a moderately trafficked difficult trail open year-round. Here, you may go dog walking, birding, camping, snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, river, waterfall, amazing views, wild flowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky.
This trail is one of the best hiking trails in the Green Mountains and is home to the third tallest peak in Vermont. It allows you views in all directions. The first part of the hike is a steep walk to various leveled out spots until you reach a hut clearing where Monroe Trail meets Long Trail and will take you to the summit. The final part of the hike is steep and narrow.
If you don’t like heights, then you may not like this height. Once you reach the top, you’ll see everything: every mountain range in the area! On some clear days, you can even see Canada!
2. Sterling Pond Trail
Location: GPS 44.556420, -72.774697
Mileage: 2.5 miles
Hike Time: 1-2 hours
Sterling Pond Trail is a 2.5-mile loop trail in Jeffersonville, Vermont. It’s a moderately trafficked moderately difficult trail open from March to October. Here, you may go dog walking, birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, neat views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky and muddy.
Sterling Pond Trail features a gorgeous pond full of subalpine plants and wildlife. But the best part is the quiet serenity. The first part of the hike is full of stone steps which takes you to a path through the deciduous forest and trickling water. Throughout most of the hike, you’ll find rocky and uneven surfaces to make your hike more challenging.
The climb isn’t constant with bursts of flats. It’s just the right amount of challenging for those looking for a workout. Then when you reach the pond, you can enjoy this landmark as so many others have before you!
3. Mount Equinox Trail
Location: GPS 41.467185, -73.954817
Mileage: 6.6 miles
Hike Time: 4-5 hours
Mount Equinox Trail is a 4.4 mile out and back trail in Arlington, Vermont. It’s a lightly trafficked difficult trail open from May to October. Here, you may go dog walking, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, lovely views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife.
Mount Equinox trail takes you deep into the wilderness of Vermont past a red gate parking lot and kiosk. The hike is very strenuous with 3,840 feet in elevation in some parts. You follow the blue summit trail up to the top which will take you to outstanding views of Mount Washington in New Hampshire on a clear day. As a neat random fact, in 2011, an old hotel called Sky Line Inn was torn down at the summit for the formation of Saint Bruno Viewing Center which you can now find at the summit.
4. Mont Pisgah Trail
Location: GPS 43.118032, -73.112537
Mileage: 4.1 miles
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
Mount Pisgah Trail is a 4.1-mile loop trail in Westmore, Vermont. It’s a moderately trafficked moderately difficult trail open from March to October. Here, you may go dog walking, birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, cool views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife.
Mount Pisgah trail is a beautiful and quiet hike. It takes you to Mount Pisgah which is found in a beautiful location where you can overlook Lake Willoughby in northeast Vermont. The cliffs tower over the lake by 1,000 feet which various vantage points depending on what trail you take. There are northern, southern, and eastern trails. Some near cliffs may even bring you to protected nesting peregrine falcons.
5. Haystack Mountain Trail
Location: GPS 42.913967, -72.919287
Mileage: 4.0 miles
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
Haystack Mountain Trail is a 4.0-mile loop trail in Wilmington, Vermont. It’s a moderately trafficked moderately difficult trail open from March to November. Here, you may go dog walking, birding, hiking, on nature trips, trail running, and walking. You’ll see a forest, amazing views, wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The path itself is very rocky.
This one is for the dogs! Your dogs will love this trail. It’s a great trail as it’s not too difficult but the rocky terrain gives you a good workout and it stays interesting. The path itself is clearly marked, but if you go after a rain, a big downside is muddiness. Once you reach the summit, you’ll find the best part of the whole trail. It’s absolutely stunning as you can see out far and wide above Vermont.
The trail starts out with a small incline and lots of gravel then tacks you to a very rocky and rooty part of the trail. If you go after a rain or snow it can be quite wet and slippery, so go during the dry season or bring a dry bag to keep your belongings dry. One of the best parts is the smell of spruce as you hike to the summit. It’s an unforgettable journey!
These are some of the best trails in Vermont, and once you’ve explored them, there’s still so much to see in the state. Beneath the dense Vermont forests are some natural wonders and challenging hikes. If you love those steep inclines, visit Vermont and take on one of the tall mountain paths. If you reach the summit of one of these mountains, please send us your photos! Good luck!