Washington VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Washington, Vermont.
1. Camel's Hump via Monroe Trail
ICONIC SUMMIT EXPERIENCE
Camel's Hump via Monroe Trail offers a challenging but rewarding trek to one of Vermont's most distinctive mountain peaks. Hikers will navigate through diverse terrain and lush forests before reaching the 4,083-foot summit with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The trail is considered moderately difficult with some steep sections, making it perfect for experienced hikers looking for a day-long adventure.
2. Mount Hunger and White Rock Mountain
PANORAMIC DUAL SUMMIT
Mount Hunger and White Rock Mountain trail offers hikers access to two spectacular summits in one challenging excursion. The trail features rocky terrain with steep sections and requires a moderate level of fitness, rewarding hikers with 360-degree views of the Green Mountains and Adirondacks. This popular Washington County hike is especially beautiful during fall foliage season when the landscape transforms into a canvas of vibrant colors.
3. Long Trail
VERMONT'S ICONIC FOOTPATH
The Long Trail stretches over 270 miles from Massachusetts to Canada, with beautiful sections passing through Washington County. As America's oldest long-distance hiking trail, it offers everything from day hikes to multi-week backpacking adventures through lush forests, open meadows, and rugged mountain peaks. The difficulty varies from easy to strenuous depending on the section, making it accessible to hikers of various skill levels while providing glimpses of Vermont's natural beauty.
4. Mount Mansfield
VERMONT'S HIGHEST PEAK
Mount Mansfield stands as Vermont's highest peak, offering multiple hiking routes to its distinctive summit ridge that resembles a human profile. The trails range from moderate to challenging with some scrambling required, culminating in spectacular panoramic views of Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and even Canada on clear days. Hikers can experience rare alpine vegetation and unique rock formations found nowhere else in the state while conquering this iconic Green Mountain landmark.
5. Waterbury Center State Park Trails
TRANQUIL FOREST ESCAPE
Waterbury Center State Park offers well-maintained hiking trails that meander through serene forests and around pristine lakes. These relatively easy trails provide a peaceful escape from city life and are suitable for families and hikers of all skill levels. Visitors can enjoy glimpses of local wildlife, beautiful woodland scenery, and refreshing water views throughout their hike.
6. Mount Philo
HAWK WATCHING PARADISE
Mount Philo offers a moderate 1.4-1.9 mile hike that delivers sweeping views of the Champlain Valley, Lake Champlain, and New York's Adirondack Park. The trail features both a paved road option and traditional hiking paths through hardwood forests and past a mid-mountain cliff band. This 968-foot summit is renowned as one of Vermont's premier hawk-watching locations, particularly in late September when thousands of migrating raptors can be spotted in a single day.
7. Velvet Rocks Trail
MOSS-COVERED NATURAL BEAUTY
Velvet Rocks Trail is an accessible 5.2-mile section of the Appalachian Trail that begins right from downtown Hanover. The easy trail earned its name from the distinctive moss-covered rocks, smooth ledges, and lush vegetation that create a magical forest environment. Hikers can experience a portion of America's oldest long-distance trail while enjoying the unique geological features that make this hike a must-do for visitors to the Upper Valley region.
8. Gile Mountain
PANORAMIC TOWER VIEWS
Gile Mountain features a relatively short but rewarding trail that leads to a fire tower with spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. The moderate 1.4-mile round trip hike winds through beautiful New England forests before reaching the summit where the historic observation tower awaits. Visitors who climb the tower are treated to expansive vistas of the Connecticut River Valley, Vermont's Green Mountains, and New Hampshire's White Mountains in the distance.
9. Smarts Mountain
CHALLENGING WILDERNESS TREK
Smarts Mountain offers a challenging 7.5-mile round trip hike along the Appalachian Trail with significant elevation gain. The trail traverses through diverse forest ecosystems before opening up to spectacular views from the 3,238-foot summit and its fire tower. Hikers will experience sections of rugged terrain including the infamous "Beaver Brook" area, making this a demanding but highly rewarding day hike for those seeking a true wilderness experience near the Vermont border.
10. Mount Moosilauke
MAJESTIC ALPINE VIEWS
Mount Moosilauke stands as a prominent 4,802-foot peak in the western White Mountains, offering several trail options of varying difficulty. The summit features an expansive alpine zone with panoramic views extending to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and even Canada on clear days. Many hikers choose the Gorge Brook Trail for its moderate grade and beautiful forest scenery, while experienced adventurers might opt for the more challenging Beaver Brook Trail with its steep sections alongside dramatic waterfalls.