18 Best Hikes in Vermont: The Top-Rated Hiking Trails to Visit in 2023

From the AT in southern Vermont to Mount Mansfield or the Elmore Fire Tower in the north, we have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to hiking trails in Vermont. Whether you are up for a challenging mountain climb or a casual nature walk, we have picked some of the best hikes in Vermont and presented them for you here. Enjoy!

Best Hikes in Vermont

Vermont is blessed with some amazing mountain ranges and hiking trails. From the tip-top of the highest peak to the low forest valleys, the Green Mountain State can surely enchant us with its natural wonders. Here are some of the best hikes in Vermont with the most scenic views.

Sterling Pond Trail, 6443 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672, USA

Anne S/AllTrails

• Location: Stowe, VT
• Mileage: 2.1-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: To get to the trailhead take Route 108 three miles south of Smugglers' Notch Resort to a parking area. Note that Route 108 is closed from mid-October until mid-May. You can still park near Smugglers' Notch Resort and walk to the trailhead. Dogs are welcome and there may be some off-leash areas as well.

Sterling Pond which is the main feature of this trail is a beautiful alpine lake in Smugglers' Notch State Park. The trek to get there can be challenging with mud and lots of slick stone steps after rain, but the views are well worth the hike. You really can't beat hiking in Vermont on a scenic trail like this one. When you reach the pond set against Madonna Peak you'll feel a smile tugging at your lips.

Camel's Hump, Huntington, VT 05462, USA

Tara Rice/AllTrails

• Location: Huntington, VT
• Mileage: 6.0-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Hard
• FYI: Access the trail from Camel's Hump Road where you'll find a small parking lot. To get to the trail you'll start out on Monroe Trail. A word of caution for those that do not appreciate heights - the last part of the hike is steep and narrow so it can be a little tummy-twisting until you reach the summit. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

As Vermont's third tallest peak, a trek up to see Camel's Hump is a challenge every outdoor adventurer in Vermont needs to take. With absolutely epic 360-degree views at the summit, you can see all the way to Canada on a clear day. With several streams to cross make sure you wear waterproof hiking shoes or good hiking sandals. And depending on the season, bugs will do what bugs usually do.

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Sunset Ridge Trail, Underhill, VT 05489, USA

Kele Straza/AllTrails

• Location: Underhill, VT
• Mileage: 5.2-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Hard
• FYI: Head to Underhill State Park to access the trailhead. If you want to hike all the way to the top take the Halfway House Trail that branches off of the Sunset Ridge Trail to the Long Trail until you reach the Chin.

Another one of the best places to hike in Vermont is Mount Mansfield. It is the highest mountain in the state so this is a popular hike. The Sunset Ridge Trail is aptly named because the panoramic views from the top are simply magical when the sun sets. You'll traverse a diverse selection of terrain including small wooden bridges, inclines, declines, rocky sections, and forest trails.

Best Short & Easy Hikes in Vermont

Some of the best hiking trails in Vermont are not all-day affairs. It’s okay to enjoy a walk whenever the urge strikes you simply because you enjoy nature. If you are looking for a fun hike that you don’t need to spend months training for, try these next few trails.

Red Rocks Park, 4 Central Ave, South Burlington, VT 05403, USA

Valli Van Meter/AllTrails

• Location: Burlington, VT
• Mileage: 2.7-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: This is a popular trail so parking may be filled up at the small parking lot. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash. The trail can get icy in spots in the winter - a set of Yak Trax will do the trick.

Enjoy beautiful look-outs at Lake Champlain on this gentle loop trail near Burlington, Vermont. If you are looking for a fun snowshoeing trail in the winter this area is simply magical after a fresh layer of snow. And when the fall colors pop in Vermont the sun-dappled trail glows with an enchanting shimmer making this lovely nature walk even more fantastic.

Quechee Gorge, Hartford, VT 05001, USA

Andrea Leshinskie/AllTrals

• Location: Quechee, VT
• Mileage: 1.3-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: Just past the boat launch at the Dewey’s Mills Pond parking lot you'll find the trailhead. Bring a picnic lunch and hang out at the picnic tables before or after you enjoy a fun hike. There are restrooms available as well.

Head to Dewey's Mills Pond to enjoy this short and sweet trail that runs along the Ottauquechee River. You'll enjoy views of the Ottauquechee Dam and waterfalls at the end of this lovely hike. Sometimes just being surrounded by nature is all it takes to rejuvenate your soul - no grueling hike needed.

Thundering Brook Falls Trail, 2295 River Rd Fork, Killington, VT 05751, USA

Kris Hetti/AllTrails

• Location: Killington, VT
• Mileage: 0.5-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: Bring the dogs (on a leash) and enjoy a quick boardwalk hike to a waterfall. It will most likely be busy unless you hit the trail early, but it connects to the Appalachian Trail so you can hike as long as you want.

There is something so wonderful about a boardwalk trail that winds in and around a beautiful forest. Even better this one leads you through the Green Mountain National Forest to Thundering Brook Falls, a refreshing series of rapids and waterfalls that flow 125 feet from the upper to the lower falls. The trail is only a half mile long but it is a great way to relax and enjoy the beauty that Vermont has to offer.

Hardest Hikes in Vermont

Whether you are tackling Vermont’s tallest mountain, Mount Mansfield, climbing your way to the top of Camel’s Hump, or through hiking The Long Trail as it passes through the AT, Vermont has some pretty fun and difficult hiking trails. Here are a few of the best hikes in Vermont to challenge yourself with.

Long Trail, Bolton, VT, USA

Ian Mcguffick/AllTrails

• Location: Bolton, VT
• Mileage: 17-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Hard - 6,938 ft elevation gain
• FYI: Make sure you pack a water filter, extra layers, and sun protection because there are some areas with wide open exposure and the weather can change quickly. The good news is that there should be plenty of streams to rehydrate. To access the trail, park in a small gravel parking lot near Bolton across from the Winooski River. There is a place to check in but no restrooms.

This longer tougher trek to Camel's Hump gives you a teaser of what it would be like to through-hike the Appalachian Trail. While you can do the hike in one day there are two shelters for camping out if you choose to overnight. The trail is beautiful with lots of scenic spots to enjoy the awesomeness of Vermont. Stops such as Duxbury Window, Ethan Allen, and Ira Allen summits offer wonderful views. Some trails marked as hard aren't so bad, but this one will challenge you, especially when the weather doesn't cooperate. But there is no better way to really immerse yourself in nature than a hike like this one.

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Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Killington, VT, USA

Madi Green/AllTrails

• Location: Killington, VT
• Mileage: 16.3-mile point-to-point trail
• Difficulty: Hard - 4,665 ft elevation gain
• FYI: The best time to hike this trail is from March through September. Some parts of the trail could have better markers and are especially hard to spot when it gets dark.

The Green Mountain National Forest is a beautiful area of central Vermont. This trek from the ski town of Killington to the charming small town of Prosper along the Appalachian Trail will test your hiking prowess. Be sure to swing by the iconic Back Country Cafe in Killington before or after your hike to fuel up. As backcountry backpacking trails go, you'll be treated to babbling brooks, wide-open farm fields, rocks and roots, and scenic views.

Nebraska Notch, Underhill, VT 05489, USA

Stan Plewak/AllTrails

• Location: Underhill Center, VT
• Mileage: 13.3-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Hard - 4,583 ft elevation gain
• FYI: Mt. Mansfield State Forest is an impressive 44,444 (We bet they rounded that off so it would be an auspicious set of all four's) acres of scenic vistas. If you start this hike in Stevensville, VT you can head north on the Nebraska Notch Trail.

It's okay to get a little loopy on this wonderful loop trail through the Mount Mansfield State Forest - well, loopy as in awestruck by the scenic views, at least. Covering some of the best trails in Vermont in one shot this epic hike will take you over parts of the Long Trail, Nebraska Notch Trail, Sunset Ridge Trail, and Frost Trail to wind around in a 13-mile loop that makes for a wonderful day-hike. You'll enjoy a little bit of everything on this trail from rocky inclines, woodsy wandering, and even a few caves.

Best Waterfront Hikes in Vermont

With hundreds of waterfalls, nearly a thousand lakes, and dozens of rivers in Vermont, there is a whole lot of waterfront to enjoy while hiking. Here are a few of the best waterfront hiking trails in VT.

Buttermilk Falls Road, Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ludlow, VT, USA

Sarah May/AllTrails

• Location: Ludlow, VT
• Mileage: 0.5-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: Along Route 103 near Grahamville take Buttermilk Falls Road to the trailhead. If you continue on Buttermilk Falls Road you can explore an abandoned bridge. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

A waterfall hike doesn't have to be a long strenuous ordeal. That's what makes this one such a hidden gem. The trail is only about a half mile long but you will be treated to three sections of waterfalls. The upper, middle, and lower falls offer stunning views and a place to cool off on a hot summer day. With a small basin of water under the falls you have a nice quiet place to chill surrounded by the beauty of the Okemo State Forest.

Mount Pisgah Trail, Orleans, VT 05860, USA

Paul Linden/AllTrails

• Location: Orleans, VT
• Mileage: 4.1-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Hard
• FYI: The hard rating is mostly due to the steep incline (and decline on the way back) so you will definitely get a good workout. The trail can get slippery in parts during the winter months. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Make sure you head past the summit to get to the lookout because that is where the magic is.

The open blue waters of Lake Willoughby seen from the West Overlook and Pulpit Rock are breathtaking. When you have a challenging hike it makes the beautiful views even more rewarding. If you take the hike in the fall, prepare to enjoy a blast of color as the forest on Mount Pisgah comes alive with colors. And as a winter hike, the quiet serenity is pretty magical.

Jennifer Suursoo/AllTrails

• Location: Salisbury, VT
• Mileage: 5.3-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: Start early to enjoy the song of the loons on the lake for one of the most serene lake hikes in Vermont. The trail can get busy during peak hours but there are plenty of areas where you enjoy the trail all to yourself.

The Silver Lake Trail is beautiful in all seasons - enjoy wildflowers in the spring, lush green trees in the summer, an explosion of color in the fall, and the quiet magic of gently falling snow in the winter. It's a nice long moderate hike without being too overwhelming - much of the trail is smooth going but there is a rocky bouldering section that ups the difficulty slightly and makes it a bit trickier for dogs.

Best Winter Hikes in Vermont

Everyone knows Vermont is a pretty epic area for alpine skiing. So why wouldn’t it be great for winter hiking as well? From Nordic skiing and snowshoeing to simply trudging through the snow with a cozy pair of boots, these next few trails will give you plenty of winter fun and are some of the best winter hikes in Vermont.

Sea Caves at Arthur Park, Burlington, VT 05408, USA

me me/AllTrails

• Location: Burlington, VT
• Mileage: 0.6-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: Bring your spikes or use the ones on-site - you can even bring your ice skates for a zip around the pond. For the best experience visit in the winter after the ice has frozen. You'll find the caves right across from the Burlington High School between North Avenue and Vt Route 127.

The Sea Caves are a hidden gem in Vermont that is best visited in the winter so you can explore the caves. While the trail itself is a short half a mile the real attraction is the caves themselves. It won't test your spelunking skills but it is a fun and interesting spot to put on your bucket list.

Teardrop Trail, Stowe, VT, USA

Ethan Thompson/AllTrails

• Location: Stowe, VT
• Mileage: 3.7-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Hard
• FYI: The trails are not very well marked in the wintertime. It can be especially hard to find your way after a fresh snowfall and you get the honor of trailblazing.

The target="_blank"Teardrop Trail in Underhill State Park is a scenic woodland trail that is open year-round. In the winter it is only open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. If backcountry skiing after a fresh powder snowfall gets you excited, this is a must-add trail to your to-do list.

Duke's Loop, Woodford, VT, USA

Christian Johnson / 500px Plus via Getty Images

• Location: Woodford, VT
• Mileage: 2.7-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: The Prospect Mountain Nordic Ski Center in Woodford is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available for all ages. There is a daily fee to ski the trails, or season passes are available as well. The Base Lodge Restaurant is also open seven days a week to fuel up before or after your winter adventure.

With over 20 miles of groomed ski and snowshoe trails on Prospect Mountain to explore, a Nordic ski getaway might just be in order. Woodpecker, E-Z Way, Troll Road, and Duke's Loop all combine to give you a scenic tour of the Green Mountain National Forest.

Best Hikes near Montpelier

Some of the best hikes in Vermont are right here near Montpelier. Vermont’s capital city has access to several state forests and state parks, and some pretty natural areas right in town. Here are a few hikes you can put on your to-do list near Montpelier.

White Rock Mountain, Middlesex, VT 05602, USA

Kay L/AllTrails

• Location: Montpelier, VT
• Mileage: 6.5-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Hard
• FYI: It is highly recommended you tackle Mount Hunger first and then hit White Mountain on the way down. The trail is fairly moderate until you reach the rock scramble toward the top of the Middlebury trail. Parking is available at the end of N Bear Swamp Rd. Dogs are welcome and some areas are designated as off-leash, however, there are some parts of the trail that your dog may struggle with.

The views you get from this CC Putnam State Forest hike are breathtaking from White Rock Mountain and Mount Hunger. You can see all the way to the Adirondacks on a clear day. With a tad over 2,000 ft elevation gain, you'll get a good workout, especially toward the top when you'll do a little rock climbing over some rocky sections. The effort, of course, is well worth it when you reach the summit and see for miles.

White Rock Trail, Montpelier, VT 05602, USA

Katelin Zaeske/AllTrails

• Location: Montpelier, VT
• Mileage: 5.7-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Hard
• FYI: You'll definitely want some microspikes if you plan to hike this trail in the winter months. Any time of year, be prepared for some scramble the closer you get to the top. If you are hiking with your dog, the last few hundred feet might prove to be difficult for them.

This is a beautiful hike and a great way to "warm up" to some of the bigger hikes in Vermont. While it is challenging, it isn't as long as the hikes to Camel's Hump or Mt. Mansfield. It also isn't as heavily trafficked as other easier trails so you'll have some peace and quiet to enjoy the epic views.

Hubbard Park, 400 Parkway St, Montpelier, VT 05602, USA

Jane Cepe/AllTrails

• Location: Montpelier, VT
• Mileage: 1.4-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: Hubbard Park is a 194-acre area that was given to the city in 1899 by John E. Hubbard in order to preserve the wilderness for future generations. It has grown in size as others donated more land and the city purchased some as well. There are seven miles of hiking trails to explore - the key feature being the stone tower.

The key feature of this short and sweet hike is the 54-foot stone observation tower that was built starting in 1915. When you reach the top of the trail you can climb to the top of the tower and pretend you are defending your castle from, well whatever mythical creature you decide might be invading. The hike itself is listed as moderate but children and dogs are more than capable of making the trek, and well, us adult kids for that matter. The views of Hubbard Park and the surrounding area are beautiful, especially in the fall when you'll feel like you are able to touch a rainbow of fall colors.

Whether you enjoy a quick stroll or an 18-mile hike through rugged terrain, Vermont can deliver. With its beautiful mountain trails and dense forest paths, we are really blessed with the best that Mother Nature has to offer. What are some of the best hikes in Vermont that you have discovered? Share a few in the comments.

If taking a road trip to see the best Vermont waterfall hiking trails gets you pretty excited like it does us, check out this list of some amazing waterfalls in Vermont.