| Hiking in Southern Vermont
There are many beautiful trails to walk or hike around Vermont. There are some difficult climbs in the Vermont and New Hampshire mountains. In this new section (fall 2009 and 2010), we will just concentrate on the our favorite hikes in Southern Vermont. We just found a new link to various seasonal trails and some great hiking articles covering trails around Stratton, Manchester and Southern Vermont
When we were young (many years ago), our favorite Memorial Day hike was to climb up Mount Washington and camp out at the base of Tuckerman Ravine.
If you have any favorite trails or information to share about hiking and camping around Stratton, please email us. Please note that these are our unofficial descriptions of these trails, provide by area hikers and some friends, and when you read them, some could be outdated. Please check the sources on the left and local guides for current conditions.
Excellent sources for information are the Green Mount Club guidebooks such as "The Long Trail Guide" or "The Day Hikers Guide to Vermont" and "50 Hikes in Vermont". Other great books are "Vermont Hiking" by Michael Lansa or "Guide to Day Hikes" by Jared Gange. A fun article about a treck starting from Stratton from the Burlington Free Press is Sally Pollak's article "Walking through time on the Long Trail"
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Name: Hapgood Forest or
Bromley Mountain Trail |
| Length: 5 1/2 miles |
| Verticle Rise: 1500 ft. |
| Time: 5 to 6 hours |
| Difficulty: moderate to strenuous |
| Entrance: Rt: 11 at intersection of Rt. 30 |
Exit: Either return to entrance
or continue west down to FR 21 |
| Bromley Mountain Trail in Peru, Vermont
This Hapgood Forest trail is a must a must for all seasons. Whether you are hiking in the summer or snowshoeing in the winter it is a beautiful trail. A good portion of the trail is moderate or moderate to rugged and follows portions of the Long Trail and Appalation Mountain Scenic trail.
Prepare for a 5 to 6 hour hike with adequate water and something to eat. After about 2 1/2 miles the trail connects to a Bromley Mountain ski trail and takes you to the summit. Bring a camera for the "forever" views from the summit. From the summit you can continue on a steep descent to a spur trail leading to the other side of Bromley Mountain and FR 21 or ( what most people do) is return to Rt. 11.
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| Name: Stratton Mountain Trail |
| Length: 5.8 miles |
| Verticle Rise: 2880 ft. |
| Time: 5 to 6 hours |
| Difficulty: strenuous |
| Entrance: In Manchester, park in the Burr and Barton Seminary Parking lot |
| Exit: Trail will loop back to parking area |
| Equinox Mountain or Burr & Barton Trail, Manchester Vermont
This is an absolutely amaizing trail in Manchester Vermont up the highest peak in the Tactonic Mountain Range. For seniors or anyone without the time (as long as their car has good and new brakes) you can also drive up the Equinox Mountain.
The trail starts on an old logging road. There is a short detour and extensive vally views from Lookout Rock. Then continue up Equinox Mountain to the cold peak, where you can see all the way South to the Birkshires, over to New York State, and North and East to the Green Mountains. The hike follows the same trail back to the parking lot.
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| Name: Stratton Mountain Trail |
| Length: 6.8 miles to Fire Tower or 9 mile loop |
| Verticle Rise: 1910 ft. |
| Time: 7 hours returning from Fire Tower, 9 to 10 hours for loop |
| Difficulty: fairly strenuous |
| Entrance: From Stratton Mtn., drive south to Town of Stratton, go west on Kelly Strand dirt road towards Arlington 7.1 miles. Trail marked with USFS sign |
| Exit: Trail will loop back to parking area |
| Stratton Mountain Trail, Vermont
This is an amazing hike with wet areas, steep areas, uneven terrain over old logging roads up to the Stratton Fire tower.
Start going North behind the parking area (on Kelly Strand road) and go up the bank. Proceed over century old logging roads and pass a historic firm site to gate of USFS Road - FR341 (at the 1.3 mile mark). Please not this mark for returning. The trail now ascends steeply over uneven terrain to theStratton Mountain Trail at the 2.5 mile mark. Proceed on to the overlook and fire tower at 3.4 miles. Many hikers then return taking the same trail back down.
But for a great long hike, continue North on the Long Trail along the summit ridge to a beautifulr overlook. Then prepare for the difficult part. Descend steeply over rugged terrain until the trail becomes easer and reaches back to USFS FR-341 at 5.1 miles, where you turn left and follow the USFS road to the Long Trail intersection at 7.6 miles, which you noted at the beginning of your hike. Proceed back South on the Long Trail to the parking lot.
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| Name: Stratton Mountain |
| Length: around 4 miles |
| Verticle Rise: 1900 ft. |
| Time: 2 to 3 hours |
| Difficulty: fairly easy |
| Entrance: From Stratton Mtn Resort, gondola ride, when operating, is in base of Stratton Village. |
| Exit: Almost all trail will loop back to parking area, a few lead over to Sunbowl area. |
| Stratton Mountain Gondola Ride
This is a great way for an easy hike down the trails of Stratton. The Stratton Gondola runs on weekends and holidays during the summer and through the fall foliage season.
Even if it is warm at the base bring a waterproof jacket and wear waterproof boots for your way down.
Take the Gondola to the Summit. Enjoy the beautiful views from the top. Decide on the length and difficulty of the walk and select Mikes Way or Old Work Road. You can also proceed straight down the mountain on many trails from the top. If you go straight under the Gondola, watch out for the many small 2 to 4 foot wide streams and mud paths that cross the main Stratton slopes. This is not a stroll you take in fancy shoes. For more information about trails: Strattons List of Trails to take down from the top or short hikes from the base.
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