Groton VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Groton, Vermont.
1. Owls Head Mountain
PANORAMIC SUMMIT VIEWS
Owls Head Mountain Trail offers a moderate 1.8-mile one-way hike through rolling terrain in Groton State Forest. The trail features a short staircase climb to the summit where hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. This popular hike provides a rewarding experience without being overly strenuous, making it accessible to most skill levels.
2. Groton Nature Trail
EDUCATIONAL FOREST WALK
The Groton Nature Trail is a self-guided path that travels through diverse woodland ecosystems in Groton State Forest. Hikers can enhance their experience with an accompanying trail guide booklet available at the Nature Center and Stillwater State Park Office. The trail is ideal for families and nature enthusiasts looking to learn about local flora and fauna during a relaxed walk.
3. Peacham Bog Loop
DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS TRAIL
The Peacham Bog Loop is a moderate trail that traverses multiple forest types and passes by a beaver dam in Groton State Forest. Two miles east of the Little Loop Trail connection, hikers can access a viewing platform overlooking Peacham Bog, one of Vermont's largest bog ecosystems. The trail requires careful navigation as it forms a loop by turning right onto Coldwater Brook Road before rejoining the main path.
4. Little Loop Trail
WETLAND VIEWING PATH
Little Loop Trail offers a short hiking experience in Groton State Forest with a special spur leading to a wetland overlook. This family-friendly trail serves as an access point to the more extensive Peacham Bog Loop for those seeking a longer adventure. Hikers enjoy the relatively easy terrain while experiencing diverse habitats within a compact trail system.
5. Coldwater Brook Trail
SCENIC BROOK ASCENT
Coldwater Brook Trail is a 1.9-mile moderate hike winding through diverse woods with rocky sections at its upper portions. Starting at the Nature Center parking lot, the trail climbs an embankment before traversing flat terrain alongside a brook, then gradually ascends from 1086 feet to 1575 feet in elevation. The path crosses the Peacham Bog Loop Trail at 0.4 miles, offering hikers connection opportunities to other trails in the system.
6. Telephone Line Multi Use Trail
DIVERSE USER-FRIENDLY PATH
The Telephone Line Multi Use Trail is a 2.5-mile moderate difficulty path that welcomes hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians through Groton State Forest. Accessible via multiple entry points including the northern Rail Trail Connector and from Big Deer State Park, this trail features varying conditions and track sizes. Hikers have the additional access option of reaching the trail via the Hosmer Brook Trail from the Groton Nature Center, though this connection is not available to cyclists or horseback riders.
7. Kettle Pond Loop Trail
SERENE POND CIRCUIT
Kettle Pond Loop Trail circles one of Groton State Forest's picturesque bodies of water, offering hikers peaceful woodland and lakeside scenery. The trail provides access to Kettle Pond State Park, which features remote camping opportunities for those seeking a more immersive wilderness experience. Hikers enjoy relatively uncrowded conditions on this trail, which embodies the wild, timeless character that makes Groton State Forest a hidden Vermont treasure.
8. Big Deer Mountain Trail
CHALLENGING FOREST ASCENT
Big Deer Mountain Trail challenges hikers with a significant elevation change from 1086 feet to 1456 feet through Groton State Forest. The trail can be incorporated into a hiking loop, allowing visitors to experience varied terrain and ecosystems throughout their journey. This moderate to difficult path rewards persistent hikers with forest immersion and views that showcase the remote wilderness character of this expansive natural area.
9. Osmore Pond Trails
LAKESIDE WOODLAND PATHS
Osmore Pond Trails offer hikers scenic paths around one of Groton State Forest's beloved water features. The trail network connects north from the Nature Center, allowing visitors to access both Osmore Pond and continue on to Big and Little Deer Mountains for extended adventures. These moderate trails wind through diverse forest types characteristic of this 26,000-acre wilderness area, providing opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
10. Hosmer Brook Trail
NATURE CENTER CONNECTION
Hosmer Brook Trail provides hikers with access from the Groton Nature Center to the broader trail network within Groton State Forest. This connecting path enables visitors to reach the Telephone Line Multi Use Trail and explore further into the forest's 30,000 acres of wilderness. The trail exemplifies the interconnected nature of Groton's path system, which allows for numerous day-hiking options through one of Vermont's most remote and pristine natural areas.