By foot

Mountains of adventure and great beauty

Waterbury, Stowe, Vermont, Mount Mansfield, Mt. Mansfield, Green Mountains, hiking, walking, trails, trail, path, paths, history, recreation path

Finding hiking and walking opportunities in Vermont is easy in Waterbury. Our trails and paths climb to stunning views from peaks and summits, wander through silent forests and to hidden waterfalls, and meander along pristine brooks and streams.

Here are some of Chris's Waterbury area favorites. Take a look!

Trail distances (miles) are round trip; estimated hiking times will vary with trail conditions and level of personal fitness; elevation gains are in feet.

Have fun, and please take nothing but photographs and leave behind nothing but footprints.

Driving instructions use the intersection of Interstate 89 and Vermont Route 100 as a starting point.

Camel's Hump Summits

MONROE TRAIL 7.4 miles, 6 hours, elev. gain 2645' Drive south on Route 100, right on Winooski Street, right on River Road just after crossing the iron bridge; after 4 miles, turn left on Camel's Hump Road, continue 2.5 miles to trail head. While hiking, you can also turn left on Dean Trail for dramatic summit views over beaver ponds, then right on Long Trail to summit; return via Monroe Trail.

BAMFORTH RIDGE TRAIL (The Long Trail) 11.8 mile, 8 hours, gain 3650' Drive south on Route 100, right on Winooski Street, right on River Road just after iron bridge; continue along Winooski River 5.5 miles, look for trail head on left just past Gleason Brook. One of the most arduous hikes in Vermont; sub peaks and vantage points are worth trekking to for their vistas alone!

Waterbury, Stowe, Vermont, Mount Mansfield, Mt. Mansfield, Green Mountains, hiking, walking, trails, trail, path, paths, history, recreation path

Hunger Mountain Summits

WATERBURY TRAIL 3.8 mi., 3.5 hours, elev. gain 2290' Drive north on Route 100, right on Kneeland Flats Road (just past Ben & Jerry's--yum!); take next right onto Guptil Road (.9 mi) which turns to Ripley Road. At Sweet Road intersection (4.7 mi), turn right. Trailhead parking is on right (6.2 mi.) Steep trail leads to an open, rocky summit.

MIDDLESEX TRAIL 5.7 mi., 4.5 hours, elev. gain 1900' Drive south on Interstate 89 to exit 8 (Montpelier), then north on Route 12 past Wrightville Reservoir boat launch sign; left on Shady Rill Road, right after Rumney School onto Worcester Road (2.2 miles), left at fork onto Bear Swamp Road (2.8 mi.), bear left after 2.9 miles at fork and continue to trailhead in clearing (4.9 mi.) While hiking, climb to White Rock on ascent, then along the ridge to Mount Hunger, then return along Middlesex trail.

Mount Mansfield Summits

HASELTON TRAIL 6.5 miles, 4.5 hours, elev. gain 2800' Drive north on Route 100 into Stowe, then north on Route 108 to the Stowe Mountain Resort Gondola (on the left). Starting at the gondola base, ascend the Haselton Trail to the Toll Road. Follow the Toll Road to the Summit Station and the Long Trail. Then walk north on the Long Trail to the Chin, then descend via the Long Trail to Route 108. Turn right (south) on Route 108 and walk 1.5 miles back to the Gondola base.

VIA THE GONDOLA Drive north on Route 100 to Stowe, then north on Route 108 past Stowe Mountain Resort to the gondola base at the ski area on the left. Hike 543' from the top of the gondola to the summit.

VIA THE TOLL ROAD Drive north on route 100 to Stowe, then north on Route 108 to Stowe Mountain Resort. A scenic and historic 4.5 mile drive to 3850'; hike from there to the 4393' summit

Waterbury, Stowe, Vermont, Mount Mansfield, Mt. Mansfield, Green Mountains, hiking, walking, trails, trail, path, paths, history, recreation path
Walks

MOSS GLEN FALLS .8 miles, 30 min., elev. gain 200' Drive north on Route 100 through Stowe; At 3.2 miles past traffic signal in Stowe, bear right onto Randolph Road, then take the first right onto Moss Glen Falls Road; continue 3.6 miles to small parking lot, just before road passes over river. This is an easy walk through a meadow then to a series of waterfalls and pools.

LITTLE RIVER STATE PARK Several interpretive trails in beautiful lakeside Little River State Park. Drive west on Route 2 and turn right to Little River State Park, just after the highway crosses the river. Continue 3 miles on this dirt road to the park entrance (fee).

MAD RIVER RECREATION PATH This is a lovely riverside trail along the Mad River and fields and pastures. Drive south on Route 100; 2-3 miles after passing Route 100B, turn left onto Meadow Road; park just past the river and walk downstream.

STOWE RECREATION PATH 11 miles, 4 hours, elev. gain 150' Drive north on Route 100 into Stowe and park behind the white steeple church. There are scenic views of Mount Mansfield, pastures and the West Branch River. The recreation path is paved and can also be accessed at several points along Route 108 in Stowe.

Shorter Hikes

HEDGEHOG HILL & DALLEY LOOP 3.1 miles, 2.5 hours, elev. gain 650' Drive west on Route 2, then turn right onto the road to Little River State Park; drive 3 miles on this road to the park entrance (fee). This is an historic walk along old country roads, with interpretive stops along the way.

NEBRASKA NOTCH 3.2 miles, 2.5 hours, elev. gain 650' Drive north on Route 100 to a left turn for the Lake Mansfield Trout Club (also called the Waterbury/Stowe Trout Club) Drive to the end of this road and park in the lot, then walk directly ahead to the trail. This trail, with stunning views of glacially formed Lake Mansfield, climbs past a waterfall and beaver meadow before reaching Taylor Lodge.

STOWE PINNACLE 2.8 miles, 2.5 hours, elev. gain 1520' Drive north on Route 100 past Gold Brook Campground to a right turn onto Gold Brook Road, continue upstream 1.8 miles to Hollow Road; turn right and travel 2.3 miles to parking. This is a lovely, steady uphill climb through forest to a rocky open summit. Great views of the Route 100 valley.

SUNSET ROCK 1.5 miles, 1 hour, elev. gain 500' Drive south on Route 100 through the villages of Waterbury, then Waitsfield, then Warren. Turn right onto Lincoln Gap road and drive to the summit, where you can park. Walk south on the Long Trail. This is a favorite easy hike to a dramatic spot overlooking Bristol Cliffs and Lake Champlain to the Adirondacks.

Longer Hikes

MOUNT ABRAHAM 3.5 hours, 5.2 miles, elev. gain 1600' Drive south on Route 100 through Waterbury, Waitsfield, and Warren. Turn right onto Lincoln Gap Road and drive to the summit, where you can park. Walk north on the Long Trail for 2.5 miles passing the Battell Shelter after 1.8 miles. The rock summit is above timberline, offering stunning panoramic views. (Lincoln Peak, at the top of Sugarbush, is .8 miles further...)

COTTON BROOK ROAD 9 miles, 5.5 hours, elev. gain 1000' Drive north on Route 100 to a left turn for Moscow. Follow this road through the tiny village, past Barrows Road and Trapp hill Road, then bear left on Cotton Brook road and park at the canoe access point. This is a forest road closed to vehicles. Perfect for walking along stone walls, cellar holes and old bridges.

STERLING POND 2 miles, 1.5 hours, elev. gain 880' Drive north on Route 100, then north in Stowe on Route 108 to the summit. Walk North on the Long Trail. This is a beautiful and heavily visited mountain pond.

For more information...

GREEN MOUNTAIN CLUB
(802) 244-7037
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7 days a week
Route 100 between Waterbury & Stowe

LITTLE RIVER STATE PARK
(802) 244-7103 (May-Oct)
.5 mi. West on US 2, then 3.5 mi. North on Little River Road

UMIAK OUTDOOR OUTFITTERS
(802) 253-2317
Stowe, lower village