Recommended Local Hikes by our Staff

General

There’s no better place to be in the fall than Vermont and one way to appreciate Vermont’s beauty is to take advantage of the many walking and hiking trails available. We asked our branch office staff for their recommendations for walking/hiking trails. Try some of these trails out!

Brandon Office & Route 7 Office recommend: Silver Lake

This light to moderate trail is a beautiful hike! See and listen to the Falls of Lana as the waters rush down the mountain. Get to the top and see an unspoiled lake free of the camps and motorboats so popular on other lakes. Begin this trail from the parking lot on Lake Dunmore Road (Route 53) in Leicester.

Bristol Office recommends: Mount Abraham

Mt. Abe is a great hike for someone looking to get a good workout in! A longish hike (about 3 hours round trip) with some steep inclines as well as some “rock climbing.” Pet friendly too! All made worth it once you get to the top. Begin this trail from the Lincoln Gap Long Trail parking lot on Lincoln Gap Road in Lincoln.

Hinesburg Office recommends: Russell Family Farm Trails

Walk this two-mile network of wooded trails right in Hinesburg village! Enjoy serene woods and sweeping pasture views as well as an overlook of the village center. You can either park behind St. Jude’s Church and walk across the baseball field to a trail entrance behind the baseball cage or park in the grassy parking lot on Buck Hill Road just 100 yards from Route 116 and there is a trailhead right there. Just look for the HART blazes!

Main Office recommends: Abbey Pond Trail

The Abbey Pond Trail is an approximately 4-mile-long trail (there and back) that winds through the woods and along a stream eventually leading to the beautiful Abbey Pond. This trail is suitable for all ages and leashed dogs are welcome. Begin this trail from Abbey Pond Road off of Case Street (Route 116) in Middlebury.

Seymour Street Office recommends: Belden Falls

Start your journey on the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM) from Belden Falls. From this spot, you can either head west over the Otter Creek through the Otter Creek Gorge Preserve or head south through the 150-acre Wright Park. Either way, you will get stunning views of the Otter Creek and scenic natural areas. Begin this walk from the end of Belden Falls Road off of Route 7 in New Haven

Vergennes Office recommends: Snake Mountain

It’s hard to beat the views of Lake Champlain from atop Snake Mountain. This moderate trail climbs up the mountain through peaceful woods before making it to the top at the foundation of the long-gone Grand View Hotel. Your reward at the top is sweeping views of the Champlain Valley, Adirondack Mountains, and Lake Champlain. Begin this trail from the intersection of Mountain Road and Wilmarth Road in Addison. There is a small parking lot just north of the trail head.