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Waterbury, Vermont
Vermont's Recreation Crossroads!
The villages of Waterbury and adjacent Waterbury Center, just 10 minutes from Stowe, lie in a fold of Vermont's Green Mountain range where the Winooski River breaks through on its journey west to Burlington and Lake Champlain.
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Waterbury Tourism Council
P.O. Box 468
Waterbury, Vermont 05676
What People Say About the Waterbury Area...
"Food, fun, scenery - something for everybody"
"Your best introduction to the real Vermont vacation center. More than you ever expected."
"A four-season vacation destination"
"The place to settle in and enjoy Vermont"
"Ben and Jerry's was great!!"
"Four mountains within 25 minutes....what more could you want!"
"A classic Vermont vacation"
"The sights are spectacular and the menus are mouth-watering"
"Our bed and breakfast was so romantic and quaint" |
Mountains of adventure and great beauty All directions start from the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center on route 100 in Waterbury CenterSHORT DAY HIKES
Little River State Park Roundtrip Distance: Depends on trails used Elevation Gain: Minimal
From GMC headquarters, follow Rt. 100 south to the junction with US 2. Turn right onto US 2 and head west 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Little River Road.
The State Park trails form a network that generally follow former town roads, some of which are now used for logging roads and snowmobile trails as well as for hiking. A printed interpretive guide is available at the park. The trails are marked with blue paint blazes. In season, a fee is charged for day-use of the hiking trails in the park.
Moss Glen Falls Trail Roundtrip Distance: 1 mile Elevation Gain: Minimal
From GMC headquarters, follow Rt. 100 3 miles north of the center of Stowe and bear right onto Randolph Road. Take the first right turn at .3 miles to a small parking area.
This is a very short, but scenic, hike to a spectacular waterfall. Although the trail is not well marked, the route is obvious. Follow the brook upstream to the falls. Be careful at the falls. Loose debris at the edge of the trail can be slippery and dangerous. Inexperienced hikers should stay to the left, above the falls. The trail connects to a VAST snowmobile trail so be careful not to follow the wrong trail back.
Stowe Pinnacle Roundtrip Distance: 2.8 miles Elevation Gain: 1520 feet
From GMC headquarters, follow Rt. 100 north and take a right on Gold Brook Road. At the fork in road bear left. At the T-intersection take a right on Upper Hollow Road and continue about a half mile to the parking on the left.
This blue-blazed trail leads to the open summit of Stowe Pinnacle in the Worcester Range. It offers great views of the Green Mountains, including Camel’s Hump and Mt. Mansfield, and the Stowe Valley.
Sterling Pond Trail Roundtrip Distance: 2.8 miles Elevation Gain: 1500 feet
From GMC Headquarters, take Rt. 100 north to Stowe Village. Turn left onto Rt. 108 and follow it 11.5 miles to the Sterling Pond Trail parking area which is at the top of the Notch. The parking lot is on the left. The trailhead is on the right side (north side).
The trail to the pond follows the Sterling Pond Trail north. At 1.1 miles, the Sterling Pond Trail reaches a junction with the Long Trail. Continue on the Long Trail .3 miles to a short spur trail to the top of Smugglers Notch Ski Area where there are great views at 3,000 feet. Return via the same route.
Sunset Ledge: Long Trail Roundtrip Distance: 2.2 miles Elevation Gain: 400 feet
From GMC Headquarters, follow Rt. 100 south to the town of Warren. In Warren turn right on Lincoln Gap Road and drive 4.7 miles to the Long Trail parking lot.
Follow the Long Trail south 1.1 miles to Sunset Ledge where you will have views to the west of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks in New York. Return via the same route.
MODERATE DAY HIKES
Mt. Mansfield State Forest: Cotton Brook Loop Roundtrip Distance: 9 miles Elevation Gain: Minimal
From GMC headquarters, follow Rt. 100 north to Moscow Road. Take a left and follow it for about 2 miles to the Cotton Brook Entrance to the Mt. Mansfield State Forest. Parking is on the right. The trail begins down the road at the red gate.
None of this route is blazed, and there are very few signs; however, it does follow a series of old gravel roads and snowmobile trails. The loop passes by a number of old farm and saw mill sites and affords views of the reservoir and the Bolton Range. (If you come across a moose, enjoy, but keep a safe distance).
Lake Mansfield Trail Roundtrip Distance: 3.2 miles Elevation Gain: 650 feet
From GMC Headquarters, follow Rt. 100 north to Moscow Road. Turn left and follow Moscow Road, which turns into Nebraska Valley Road, about 5.8 miles to the Lake Mansfield Trout Club. Continue driving into the Club and be sure to observe the Private Property signs. Public parking is in the upper right lot.
Follow the trail out of the Lake Mansfield Trout Club up into the Nebraska Notch, where it will meet the Long Trail at Taylor Lodge. The trail follows an old logging road for a while before crossing a brook and ascending to the Long Trail. This is a great family hike, with nice views along the trail, beaver dams and a waterfall. Taylor Lodge has an open faced porch with picnic tables.
ADVANCED DAY HIKES
Mount Hunger: Waterbury Trail Roundtrip Distance: 3.8 miles Elevation Gain: 2290 feet
From GMC headquarters, follow Rt. 100 south past Cold Hollow Cider Mill and turn left on Howard Ave. Go straight at first stop sign on town green and at next stop sign turn left on Maple Street. Take the next right on Loomis Hill Road. At the top of the hill, bear left onto Sweet Road and reach small parking area 3.8 miles on right.
This trail begins moderately, gets steeper as it passes a stream and a series of waterfalls until if finally reaches the open summit of Hunger Mountain. There are super views of the Green Mountains to the west and the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the east from the summit.
Camel’s Hump: Monroe/Alpine Loop Roundtrip Distance: 6.6 miles Elevation Gain: 2645 feet
From GMC headquarters, follow Rt. 100 south to the junction of Routes 2 & 100 in Waterbury. Turn left toward Waterbury for 0.1 mi. then turn right onto Winooski Street. Cross a bridge, and turn right onto River Road. Go 3.9 miles and turn left onto Camel's Hump Road. Stay on the main road until reaching a parking lot at the end of the road.
At 4,083 feet, Camel's Hump is the highest undeveloped peak in Vermont. A partial loop hike of Camel's Hump begins by following the Monroe Trail to the junction with the Alpine trail. Follow the Alpine trail left (southwest) to the Long Trail and the summit. Descend via the Long Trail north to the clearing and take a right (east) onto the Monroe trail that will lead you back to the trailhead parking area.
Mount Mansfield: Mansfield TraverseRoundtrip Distance: 6.5 miles Elevation Gain: 2800 feet
From GMC Headquarters, follow Rt. 100 north to Stowe Village. Turn left onto Rt. 108 and follow it 8 miles to the Stowe Ski Area. Turn left and follow the road to the gondola parking lot. Park and cross the ski trail to the Haselton Trailhead.
The trail takes you through the picturesque forest of the Haselton Trail, the Nose Dive Ski Trail and the Toll Road under Mt. Mansfield’s Nose and features a 2.0 mi. alpine ridge walk along the Long Trail north to the Chin, Vermont’s highest point. Follow the trail past Taft Lodge and return to Vt. 108 less than a mile north of the gondola parking lot.
Mount Abraham: Long Trail Roundtrip Distance: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1700 feet
From GMC Headquarters, follow Rt. 100 south to the town of Warren. In Warren turn right on Lincoln Gap Road and drive 4.7 miles to the Long Trail parking lot.
Follow the Long Trail north past Battell Shelter. The trail becomes steeper and rocky with some scrambling to the open summit of Mount Abraham, where you will have views of Lincoln through the Champlain Valley. Return via the same route.
For more information on area hikes, stop by our Visitor Center:Green Mountain Club4711 Waterbury-Stowe RoadWaterbury Center, VT 05677802.244.7037www.greenmountainclub.orgSUMMER HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 to5:00, Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 to 4:00 WINTER HOURS: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 5:00
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© Copyright 2010 Waterbury Tourism Council. All rights reserved.
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