Barton VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Barton, Vermont.
1. Wheeler Pond Trail
EASY LOOP AROUND POND
Wheeler Pond Trail is an easy 0.8-mile round trip hike with minimal elevation gain that winds through the woods around Wheeler Pond. Hikers can enjoy beautiful views of Wheeler Mountain and its cliffs from the pond's shore. For those wanting a slightly longer adventure, the trail connects to the 0.3-mile Gnome Stair Trail leading to a stair-like waterfall.
2. Wheeler Mountain Trail
MODERATE MOUNTAIN SCRAMBLE
Wheeler Mountain Trail offers a moderate 4.4-mile round trip hike with approximately 700 feet of elevation gain. This scenic half-day mountain hike features barren rocky outcroppings that require some scrambling. Hikers are rewarded with panoramic views from the summit.
3. Moose Mountain
PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS
Moose Mountain is a beginner-friendly 0.5-mile hike accessed from the Wheeler Pond parking lot leading to Moose Peak Lookout. The trail features fascinating rocks to climb on and through, making it an engaging adventure for families. Hikers are rewarded with a very satisfying view of Wheeler Pond and the surrounding mountains.
4. Mount Pisgah
DRAMATIC CLIFFS AND VIEWS
Mount Pisgah is known for its famous cliffs that tower over Lake Willoughby in the Northeast Kingdom. The trail features rare arctic plants that make their home on the rocky walls carved by glaciers. Hikers may spot Peregrine falcons nesting on the dramatic cliffside during their journey.
5. Mount Hor
CHALLENGING LAKE VIEWS
Mount Hor provides a difficult hiking experience with significant elevation gain near Lake Willoughby. The trail offers spectacular views of the glacially-carved lake and surrounding landscape. Mount Hor can be accessed from the Wheeler Pond area, making it a challenging addition to the Northeast Kingdom hiking options.
6. Bald Mountain
FIRE TOWER SUMMIT
Bald Mountain features a fire tower at its summit that offers hikers an incredible 360-degree view of the Northeast Kingdom. The trail takes visitors through varied forest terrain before emerging at the exposed summit area. The historic fire tower provides one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the region.
7. Brownington Historic District Trails
HISTORY AND NATURE
The Brownington Historic District trails span 55 acres surrounding the Old Stone House Museum. These paths feature beautiful views of the Northeast Kingdom landscape and include a lookout tower. The gentle terrain makes these trails suitable for casual walkers interested in both history and nature.
8. Sentinel Rock State Park
ACCESSIBLE NATURE EXPERIENCE
Sentinel Rock State Park offers an easy, accessible trail option near the Wheeler Pond area. The park provides a way for visitors of all mobility levels to experience the natural beauty of the Northeast Kingdom. Views from Sentinel Rock showcase the surrounding mountains and valleys without requiring strenuous hiking.
9. Burke Mountain Trails
FIRE TOWER SUMMIT VIEWS
Burke Mountain offers a moderate 3-mile hike to a summit fire tower with outstanding views of Willoughby Gap and the Northeast Kingdom. The mountain features two lean-to shelters for hikers looking to spend the night on the trail. For those seeking accessibility, a paved Toll Road leads to the summit, connecting to a short ADA-accessible trail from the upper parking lot.
10. Kingdom Heritage Trail
IMMERSIVE FOREST EXPERIENCE
The Kingdom Heritage Trail traverses 20 miles from Island Pond to Lewis Pond Overlook in Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge. Along this moderate to advanced trail, hikers ascend and descend Bluff, Middle, and Gore Mountains through a working forest landscape. The trail opened in 2019 after 20 years of collaboration and is protected by easement as part of the conservation of 132,000 acres of forestland.