Your Local Guide to the 10 Best Hikes in Vermont

In Vermont, fall is the perfect time to get outside before the snow starts to pile up. It’s our favorite season for hiking, where you can take in the cool fresh air, view the gorgeous fall foliage, and explore many exciting trails. 

Whether you’re looking for an all-day hiking adventure or a short nature walk to take with your dog, we gathered the top 10 must-do hikes in Vermont, including the popular Mt. Philo and challenging Killington Peak.

Mt. Ascutney | Ascutney, Brownsville, Windsor, West Windsor

Mt. Ascutney has several base-to-summit hiking trails, giving you options to extend or reduce the length of your hike. The Futures Trail is the longest, 4.6 miles one-way to reach the summit, and the Windsor Trail is the shortest at 2.7 miles one-way. No matter which route you choose, you’re sure to get in an active hike; this mountain is challenging due to its steepness.

When you reach the top, you’ll experience panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley. After your hike, you can relax or camp at Mt. Ascutney State Park or explore the nearby historic Best’s Covered Bridge. Just 30 minutes away is Harpoon Brewery Taproom, where you can taste delicious beers and share popular appetizers like nachos or a hummus platter.

Camel’s Hump | Duxbury, Huntington

Camel’s Hump is a popular Vermont hiking spot, coming in as the third-highest mountain in the state. It’s known for its distinct silhouette—a hump similar in shape to the one on the back of a camel. You can reach the summit from five different trails:

• Monroe Trail—Access from the Duxbury side and hike the moderately difficult trail 3.4 miles to the summit.
• Burrows Trail—Start your ascent on the Huntington side and you’ll reach the summit in 1.4 miles. This is the shortest and steepest hike to get to the top of the mountain, considered moderately difficult.
• Forest City Trail—This moderate trail is also on the Huntington side, only 0.1 miles from the Burrows Trailhead, and extends 3.4 miles to the summit.
• Dean Trail—Just 1 mile to the summit, this trail is considered easy to moderate.
• Alpine Trail—The most difficult trail to the summit at 1.7 miles long.

Once your Camel’s Hump hike is over, we recommend heading to nearby Huntington to explore Huntington Gorge, the Birds of Vermont Museum, Sweet Simone’s Cafe, Stone Corral Brewery, and Stone’s Throw Pizza.

Mt. Mansfield | Underhill, Stowe, Cambridge

Mt. Mansfield is Vermont’s tallest mountain at 4,395 feet. It gets its name from its human-like profile, with the outline of a forehead, nose, lips, chin, and Adam's apple. Mt. Mansfield has several challenging trails to choose from—the Loop Trail is 7.7 miles and the Long Trail is 7.8 miles, both hikes that we recommend for seasoned hikers. The Sunset Ridge Trail is also considered challenging but is slightly shorter, coming in at 4.5 miles. When you arrive at the summit, you’ll take in gorgeous views of the Adirondack Mountains, the White Mountains, and beautiful Lake Champlain. 

There is so much to see and explore in the Mt. Mansfield area. On the Underhill side, check out Moose Mountain Maple, Palmer Lane Maple, or Poorhouse Pies for a sweet treat. On the Stowe side, have a day full of adventure and check out the beautiful Bingham Falls and take a Gondola Skyride to see the foliage from a new level.

Mount Pisgah | Westmore

The Northeast Kingdom’s Mount Pisgah overlooks beautiful Lake Willoughby. When you reach the summit, you’ll find impressive views of one of Vermont’s most gorgeous lakes, known for crystal clear water and cold temperatures. Mount Pisgah is the eastern side of the “Willoughby Gap,” a view you can see from Lake Willoughby’s South Beach.

There are several paths to Mount Pisgah’s summit that vary slightly in length but have very different experiences. The North Trail is the most scenic route at 2.2 miles, the East (Long Pond) Trail is a windy climb at 2.3 miles, and the South Trail is the shortest and most gradual trail at 1.83 miles. After your hike, get some fresh produce at the Willoughby Gap Farmstand for the best picnic ingredients. For even more activity and excitement, head to nearby Glover to visit the Museum of Everyday Life and Parker Pie Company for some delicious pizza.

Bald Mountain | Bennington

Located in Southern Vermont, Bald Mountain earned its name after a forest fire cleared the summit in the early 1900s, leaving it “bald.” It’s within the area people deemed the “Bennington Triangle,” where five people disappeared with no explanation between 1945 and 1950. It’s known for having a firetower from which you can see gorgeous Vermont landscape views. 

There are two popular trails we recommend. The Bald Mountain Trail from Bennington is 7.2 miles round trip, with a lovely White Rocks lookout 2.6 miles in. For a shorter hike, take the Bear Wallow Trail from Woodford Hollow, which is 4 miles round trip. 

Spend the rest of your day exploring the Bennington area. For history lovers, we suggest exploring the Bennington Battle Monument to learn more about our state’s tallest man-made building. Play disc golf at Willow Park Disc Golf Course and finish the day at Ramunto’s Pizza.

Stowe Pinnacle | Stowe

Hikes at Stowe Pinnacle are considered moderate-to-challenging. The Upper Hollow Road Trailhead offers a 3.6-mile round-trip hike, whereas the Pinnacle Meadows Lot is shorter at 2.6 miles round trip. At the peak, you’ll get views of Camel’s Hump, Mt Mansfield, Worcester Range, and Sterling Range—truly surrounded by the Green Mountains. 

To grab a bite post hike, we recommend trying Stowe Thai Cuisine, Doc Ponds, American Flatbread, or Piecasso, depending what type of food you’re in the mood for.

Mount Equinox | Arlington, Manchester

Mount Equinox is the highest peak in the Taconic range, offering views of Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Montreal, and sometimes even Montreal’s Mount Royal. It’s popular for the Mount Equinox Skyline Drive, an accessible way for everyone to see the gorgeous views the mountain offers. You can explore the mountain through several trails, but the one that leads to the summit is the Blue Summit Trail, which is 3.1 miles one-way. From here, you also have the option to visit the nearby Lookout Rock to see the views from a new angle.

Looking for more activities to do in the area? Artists and art lovers are fans of the Southern Vermont Arts Center and Seven Springs Garden and Sculpture Park, offering lovely takes on multiple mediums. The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in nearby Manchester offers both activity and relaxation. Afterward, stop by The Silver Fork for a bite to eat.

Snake Mountain | Addison, Weybridge

Did you know that 13,000 years ago, Snake Mountain was just an island in Lake Vermont? The water eventually dropped, allowing more of the island to be above water, revealing Snake Mountain in the process. 

The view from Snake Mountain’s summit is often called “Grand View,” from which you can see Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains beyond. The primary trailhead is on the West side of the mountain and is a 1.8-mile hike to the summit; it’s considered an easy-to-moderate hike.

In nearby Middlebury, you can check out local art galleries, historic locations like the Pulp Mill Covered Bridge, and the beautiful Middlebury Falls. Dine at fantastic local spots like Otter Creek Bakery & Deli, Haymaker Bun Co., Tourterelle Restaurant & Inn, and the classic Rosie’s Restaurant. 

Mt. Philo | Charlotte

Mt. Philo is one of the most popular hiking spots in Vermont—it’s considered easy-to-moderate, with a 0.6-mile trail from the parking lot to the summit. If you’d like a longer hike, there are alternative trail options like the House Rock Trail or Devil’s Chair Trail. At the summit, you’ll find wide-open views of the Adirondacks and Champlain Valley, and it’s not uncommon to see peregrine falcons, who nest in the region. It’s the perfect spot to snap a photo!

Mt. Philo State Park—the first state park in Vermont—is a great place for camping during the warmer months and early fall. Nearby, you can satisfy every craving at places like Charlotte Village Winery, Vermont Cookie Love, and Dakin Farm. 

Killington Peak | Killington

Killington Peak is the second highest mountain in Vermont, with gorgeous views of the Adirondacks, Green Mountains, and White Mountains. The trails to the top range in difficulty, the most popular being the Killington Peak Loop, a challenging hike that’s 4.7 miles long. Once you reach the top, you’ll find Peak Lodge, which offers food options if you’re looking for a break and some sustenance before heading back down the mountain. 

Killington has so much to offer! Once your hike is complete, we recommend relaxing at Killington Distillery or playing a round at Killington Golf Course.

Vermont’s diverse landscape offers something for hikers on every level—from the gradual slopes of Bald Mountain to the intense ascents of Mt Mansfield and Killington Peak. Each trail takes you on a journey to stunning vistas and satisfying summits.

Want the inside scoop on life in Vermont? Check out our recent blog articles to see what you’re missing.