Fall is the most magical time to hike in Vermont. Between the vibrant colors of fall foliage and the sound of crunching leaves beneath your feet, your senses will be delighted and you’ll have a sense of physical accomplishment along with spectacular views. What makes these trails extra special is that they are winter friendly, just in case you don’t make them all before the snow rolls in.
- White Rocks/Ice Beds Trail
Flickr/Eric Heupel This easy, two mile hike in Wallingford offers wonderful views of the White Rocks Cliff and the Ice Beds where ice forms beneath the rocks during the previous winter and chills the meltwater stream.
- Mount Olga
James Tiffin Jr/flickr This 1.6 mile hike is located in the Molly Stark State Park and offers stunning views from the trails and the fire tower year round.
- Mount Philo
Flickr/Barb & Dean Russ & Williams See the spectacular views from Mount Philo State Park, which was the first state park in in Vermont.
- Bluff Mountain
Flickr/e_chaya This climb starts in town and looks unassuming, but be prepared to work your quads to earn this view… it will totally be worth it!
- Spruce Mountain
Flickr/Paul Moody This is a strenuous trail to the top, but kids especially like exploring the large split rock about 1.8 miles up the trail.
- Elmore Mountain and Balanced Rock
Flickr/Charles Wohlers If you’re looking for outdoor activities, this is your place! Great views, a refurbished fire tower, old stone foundations, a balancing boulder, all set upon a beautiful lake with a beach… it doesn’t get much better than this!
- Hubbard Park
Flickr/jpellgen Located right in the middle of the State Capital in Montpelier, Hubbard Park is worth a close look year round.
- Mount Hunger
Flickr/Charles Wohlers Bring snacks as the trek up Mount Hunger isn’t easy - but it’s worth it! This hike will take about four hours and you’ll be rewarded with fabulous views of the Green Mountain Range as well as the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
- Robert Frost Trail
Flickr/Jay Parker This one mile trail in Ripton has some of Robert Frost’s eloquent poetry along the way that is perfect for a stroll, ski or snowshoe.
- Mount Horrid’s Great Cliff
Flickr/Bryan Alexander While the name may be “Horrid,” the views are anything but! Please note that the trail may be closed if the falcons are nesting on the cliff overlook.
- Snake Mountain
Flickr/Jeanne Mayell Hiking Snake Mountain is an adventure, and this area that is rich in folklore and history was once an island. That’s right - 14,000 years ago Snake Mountain was an island in Lake Vermont!
- Stratton Pond
Flickr/John Hayes A long but level hike which leads to Stratton Pond. The path is perfect for a walk or cross country skiing in the winter.
- Owl’s Head
Flickr/Scott McCracken This 30 minute hike or snowshoe in the Groton State Forest takes you to a secluded and isolated lookout that puts you on top of the world with expansive views.
- Prospect Rock
Flickr/Charles Wohlers This short hike in Johnson offers superb views. Before or after your hike, be sure to take a detour through the woods to see the Lamoille River and Ithiel Falls, a Class II rapids where the river narrows between two cliffs.
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Flickr/Eric Heupel
This easy, two mile hike in Wallingford offers wonderful views of the White Rocks Cliff and the Ice Beds where ice forms beneath the rocks during the previous winter and chills the meltwater stream.
James Tiffin Jr/flickr
This 1.6 mile hike is located in the Molly Stark State Park and offers stunning views from the trails and the fire tower year round.
Flickr/Barb & Dean Russ & Williams
See the spectacular views from Mount Philo State Park, which was the first state park in in Vermont.
Flickr/e_chaya
This climb starts in town and looks unassuming, but be prepared to work your quads to earn this view… it will totally be worth it!
Flickr/Paul Moody
This is a strenuous trail to the top, but kids especially like exploring the large split rock about 1.8 miles up the trail.
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
If you’re looking for outdoor activities, this is your place! Great views, a refurbished fire tower, old stone foundations, a balancing boulder, all set upon a beautiful lake with a beach… it doesn’t get much better than this!
Flickr/jpellgen
Located right in the middle of the State Capital in Montpelier, Hubbard Park is worth a close look year round.
Bring snacks as the trek up Mount Hunger isn’t easy - but it’s worth it! This hike will take about four hours and you’ll be rewarded with fabulous views of the Green Mountain Range as well as the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Flickr/Jay Parker
This one mile trail in Ripton has some of Robert Frost’s eloquent poetry along the way that is perfect for a stroll, ski or snowshoe.
Flickr/Bryan Alexander
While the name may be “Horrid,” the views are anything but! Please note that the trail may be closed if the falcons are nesting on the cliff overlook.
Flickr/Jeanne Mayell
Hiking Snake Mountain is an adventure, and this area that is rich in folklore and history was once an island. That’s right - 14,000 years ago Snake Mountain was an island in Lake Vermont!
Flickr/John Hayes
A long but level hike which leads to Stratton Pond. The path is perfect for a walk or cross country skiing in the winter.
Flickr/Scott McCracken
This 30 minute hike or snowshoe in the Groton State Forest takes you to a secluded and isolated lookout that puts you on top of the world with expansive views.
This short hike in Johnson offers superb views. Before or after your hike, be sure to take a detour through the woods to see the Lamoille River and Ithiel Falls, a Class II rapids where the river narrows between two cliffs.
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