Lunenburg VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Lunenburg, Vermont.
1. Mount Washington Loop
BREATHTAKING MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
Mount Washington Loop via Tuckerman Ravine Trail and Boott Spur Trail offers an 8.9-mile challenging hiking experience near Lunenburg. The trail takes hikers through diverse alpine terrain with spectacular views of the surrounding White Mountains. This challenging route is considered one of the best hikes in the region, requiring proper preparation and equipment due to potentially severe weather conditions.
2. Weeks State Park
HISTORIC SUMMIT VIEWS
Weeks State Park provides hikers with well-maintained trails leading to the summit of Mount Prospect. The park features a historic stone fire tower that offers panoramic views of the Presidential Range, Connecticut River Valley, and into Vermont. Trails at Weeks State Park are moderately difficult and suitable for families with older children.
3. Maidstone State Park
LAKESIDE FOREST TRAILS
Maidstone State Park offers serene hiking trails that loop around Maidstone Lake with beautiful shoreline views. The trails wind through pristine forests and provide opportunities for wildlife viewing including moose and loons. Most paths at Maidstone are easy to moderate in difficulty, making them accessible for hikers of various experience levels.
4. Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail
CASCADING WATER ROUTE
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail is a spectacular route to the summit of Mt. Washington that follows the scenic Ammonoosuc River. The trail features beautiful cascades and waterfalls along with increasingly dramatic views as hikers ascend. This moderately difficult to strenuous trail requires good physical conditioning but rewards hikers with outstanding natural beauty.
5. Mount Garfield Trail
FRANCONIA RIDGE VIEWS
Mount Garfield Trail leads hikers to the 4,500-foot summit with impressive views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The trail climbs steadily through beautiful forest before opening up to panoramic vistas of the Franconia Ridge and surrounding peaks. This challenging 10-mile round trip hike requires stamina but offers some of the most rewarding views in the White Mountains.
6. Franconia Notch Trails
ICONIC MOUNTAIN PASS
Franconia Notch State Park offers multiple trail options including the famous Franconia Ridge Loop and Flume Gorge paths. These trails range from easy walks to challenging alpine traverses with spectacular views of the notch and surrounding mountains. Hikers can experience unique natural features including waterfalls, narrow gorges, and alpine ecosystems throughout the park.
7. Saddleback Mountain
SCENIC RIDGE HIKE
Saddleback Mountain via Berry Picker Trail provides a moderately challenging ascent to outstanding viewpoints. The trail winds through mixed forests before reaching an open ridge with views extending to the Presidential Range and Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. This lesser-known gem offers a quieter hiking experience than some of the region's more popular peaks.
8. Bald Mountain Trail
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SUMMIT
Bald Mountain Trail offers an accessible 2.2-mile out-and-back hiking experience suitable for most ability levels. The trail climbs gradually through hardwood forest to an open summit with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This family-friendly hike can be completed in a few hours and serves as an excellent introduction to hiking in the region.
9. Victory State Forest Trails
REMOTE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Victory State Forest offers remote hiking trails through one of Vermont's most undeveloped wilderness areas near Lunenburg. These trails traverse varied terrain including dense forests, wetlands, and ridgelines with opportunities to spot diverse wildlife. The moderate to difficult paths provide solitude and a genuine backcountry experience for hikers seeking to escape crowds.
10. VHC Trails
COMMUNITY-MAINTAINED PATH NETWORK
The Vermont Hiking Club (VHC) maintains a network of trails accessible from Pond Hill Road in Lunenburg. These local paths wind through mixed forests and open meadows with views of the Connecticut River Valley. The generally moderate trails are well-maintained by community volunteers and provide convenient hiking options close to town.