Top Five Hiking

The Five Best Vermont State Parks for Hiking


Mt. Ascutney	Branbury	Gifford Woods	Smugglers Notch	Underhiil

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Hiking at Gifford Woods State Park

Gifford Woods State Park is an important hiking crossroads where two major hiking trails meet. The Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine, and the Long Trail, which runs the length of Vermont meet in the park. If you were so inclined you could literally hike from the park south to Georgia or north to Maine. Nearby Green Mountain National Forest and Coolidge State Forest also offer numerous loop hikes. There are spectacular views from the Deer Leap Mountain trail and lovely waterfalls along Thundering Brook Trail. The proximity to all these great hiking opportunities make Gifford Woods State Park a popular pass through location for hikers. The park offers tent, RV, lean-to and cabin camping and hot showers are welcome after some time on the trail. For a small fee, hikers can leave their car at the park instead of at a trailhead. Camping reservations may be made up to eleven months in advance through the central reservations call center at 1-888-409-7579 Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Additional Trail Links:
Appalachian Trail
Green Mountain Club

Hiking at Branbury State Park

Located on the shores of Lake Dunmore, Branbury State Park abuts the 400,000 acre Green Mountain National Forest and the 20,000 acre Moosalamoo Recreation Area. There are over 70 miles of trails in this region of mountains and lakes traversing the western slopes of the Green Mountains. Some popular trails are the “Falls of Lana” which leads to a series of cascading falls carved out of rock, “Rattlesnake Point”, which has breeding peregrine falcons and panoramic views of Lake Dunmore, and “Silver Lake”, a hike to a small, scenic mountain lake. The park offers tent, RV and lean-to camping, a rental cottage, a large swimming beach and expansive lawns, boat rentals and interpretive programs. Reservations may be made up to eleven months in advance through the central reservations call center at 1-888-409-7579 Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Additional trail links:
Green Mountain Forest- Hiking
Moosalamoo National Recreation Area

Hiking at Ascutney State Park

Mount Ascutney is the weathered core of an old volcano that once towered 20,000 feet into the air standing alone over the Connecticut River. The Mount Ascutney we know today is a monadnock, it is not related geologically to surrounding hills, but rather stands alone and shares a geological history more closely with the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There are four trails that run from the base of the mountain to the summit that are connected by a relatively level trail that follows the ridgeline and crosses the summit. The Weathersfield Trail (2.9 miles) is on the south face of the mountain and passes Cascade Falls, the largest waterfall on the mountain. The Windsor Trail (2.7 miles) passes a small waterfall and small log lean-to on the way to the summit. The Brownsville Trail (3.2 miles) follows an old logging road which passes an old granite quarry and offers great viewing opportunities from the north and west. The Futures Trail (4.6 miles) is the longest trail on Ascutney and can be accessed at two points along the state park mountain road. The park has a 3.7 mile paved auto road leading to the summit that has many excellent scenic views and there is an observation tower on the summit with a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. There is also a stone picnic shelter that was built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). Mount Ascutney is considered one of the premier hang gliding sites in New England and two launch sites are situated near the summit. Ascutney State Parks has tent, RV and lean-to camping and reservations may be made up to eleven months in advance through the central reservations call center at 1-888-409-7579 Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Additional Trail info: MT Ascutney Recreational Guide

Hiking at Underhill State Park

Underhill State Park is a part of Vermont’s 34000-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest. The park is on the western face of Mt. Mansfield, nearly half-way up the state’s highest peak. Over the summit ridge is the Stowe Mountain Resort, one of North America’s original ski areas. From Underhill Park there are four hiking trails to the summit ridge of Mt. Mansfield. The Sunset Ridge trail (3.2 miles to the summit) is the most popular. Vermont’s Long Trail traverses the summit ridge and, with several trails up both sides of the mountain, many loops are possible. The ridgeline is almost entirely above tree line, so on clear days you have unobstructed views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, even to Lake Champlain in the distance, and New York’s Adirondack mountains far beyond. Mount Mansfield is one of the two spots in Vermont where you’ll find true alpine tundra, a vegetative type more common in arctic zones far to the north. Underhill State Park is a relatively small and quiet park with tent and lean-to campsites, but no shower facilities. Many of the park’s log lean-tos and stone fireplaces were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930’s. A separate group camping area, accommodating up to 70 people in nine lean-to’s, is available and provides a private area for groups booking space. Group or individual reservations may be made up to eleven months in advance through the central reservations call center at 1-888-409-7579 Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Smugglers Notch State Park

On the other side of Mount Mansfield from Underhill State Park, lies Smuggler’s Notch State Park. Smuggler’s Notch is a narrow pass through the mountain with spectacular 1,000 foot cliffs on either side that was once used as a smuggling route between Vermont and Canada. Today, it is a favorite haunt of nesting peregrine falcons, ice climbers and hikers. The road is passable by vehicles only in summer and is very narrow and winding with many switchbacks and hairpin turns. The Notch is also a favorite of hikers. The most popular trail up the mountain is the Long Trail, which can be accessed from the Notch. Heading north, the Long Trail leads past Elephant’s Head to Sterling Pond, a beautiful and serene mountain lake. As its name implies, the Hell Brook Trail is a shorter, but much steeper route to the summit of Mount Mansfield. Smugglers Notch State Park has tent, RV and lean-to camping with hot showers, and is a favorite for those day hiking and backpacking the Long Trail or it’s side trails. The Park is located minutes from the Village of Stowe. Reservations may be made up to eleven months in advance through the central reservations call center at 1-888-409-7579 Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

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