Hiking in the Stowe Area

The Lodge is a few hundred feet from the end of the scenic 5.3 mile Stowe Recreation Path, a popular paved trail that follows the West Branch River and ends up in the downtown Stowe area.  It is perfect for walking, running, biking and rollerblading, safe for the whole family, and is fairly level.

Stowe has a variety of trails to offer hikers of all ability levels. The trail system in Stowe is well maintained with clear paths and obvious trail blazes.  The extensive network of trails at Trapp Family Lodge and Stowe Mountain Resort (with over 30 hiking trails) are open for hiking in the non-snow season and are free to use.

More info here on Waterbury & Stowe Area Hiking and Walking Trails

Below, we've listed a few more hiking trails for your "trekking".

Bingham Falls - Stowe, Vermont

Scenic Bingham Falls is a series of cascades in a narrow gorge culminating in a 25 foot drop into a large round pothole.

The falls are located in Stowe just off Route 108 about a half mile north of the Mount Mansfield auto road. There are no signs, but a readily visible path runs from a dirt turn off just before Route 108 crosses a small bridge. From the turn off, there is an unmarked trail that goes down about a quarter mile to the falls.   The sound of roaring water provides ample confirmation that you are on the right path.

The trail comes to the river above the falls. There the river flows in a narrow serpentine channel. It looks like you could almost jump across the gorge in a couple of places, yet the gorge is about 20 feet deep. There are lots of round potholes in the gorge that have been carved out by the water.  Downstream a bit, the stream flows out of it's narrow gorge and over a very beautiful waterfall into a large circular pool.

Stowe Pinnacle Trail (Hogback Mountain) - Stowe, Vermont
Total Distance:  2.8 Miles
Hiking Time:  1.5 - 2.5 Hours
Vertical Rise:  1520 Feet
Rating:  Moderate

The Pinnacle Trail is a relatively short hike located east of town.  From the trailhead it's a 1.4-mile hike to the summit of the Pinnacle, a 2,740-foot peak in the Worcester Range (the eastern border of Stowe).  Most of the trail is a fairly gradual and unobstructed ascent up the west side of the Pinnacle, although there is a short rocky section as you near the top. At the summit you will find unparalleled views of the town of Stowe below and Mt. Mansfield to the west.

From Route 100 in Stowe Village turn right (east) onto School Street (it's the 3rd street north of the 3-way stop at Route 108), bearing right at the fork with Stowe Hollow Road to an intersection at 1.8 miles where you go straight on Upper Hollow Road crossing a brook and bearing right past Pinnacle Road to 2.5 miles and the State parking area on the East side of the road.  The blue-blazed trail is at the back of the parking area and crosses a field and becoming rocky as it ascends, getting gradually steeper to a right turn onto a plateau.  At 0.8 mile the trail swings left over rocks to a spur trail overlook, then continues on up a rockier incline to the Pinnacle at 1.4 miles.  Your return hike follows the same trail back to the parking area.

Waterbury Trail (Mount Hunger) - Waterbury Center, Vermont
Total Distance:  4.0 Miles
Hiking Time:  4.0 Hours
Vertical Rise:   2330 ft.
Rating:  Moderately Strenuous

Little known to hikers outside of Vermont, Mount Hunger boasts the most picturesque summit in the range of mountains with the best location in the state. Part of the isolated Worcester chain that parallels stylish Stowe Valley and more famous peaks to the west, Mount Hunger's windswept crown unveils an intimate portrait of the Green Mountain's northern core. From Abraham to Ellen to Camel's Hump, from Mansfield to Whiteface Mountain, the crenellated mass of Vermont's highest peaks stand in stark relief just across a glacial valley. Remember this summit for sensational views.

From Route 100 turn East onto the road to Waterbury Center and follow for 0.3 mile turning left onto Maple Street.  Follow 0.4 mile turning right just past the fire station onto Loomis Hill Rd., which turns to dirt at 2.3 miles.  Follow to top of hill, bear left and continue until you reach parking area on your right at 3.8 miles, where a posted sign marks the trailhead.  Leave the parking area and follow the blue-blazes as the trail enters the woods.  The trail begins with boulders, a gully, and numerous rock outcrops, leveling off at 0.5 mile before ascending a moderate slope.  A large white birch marks your right turn across a cool valley floor to continue uphill on the old trail at 1.0 mile mark.  The trail becomes steeper before the junction of White Rock Trail at 1.8 miles, then ascends over rocks to the South summit with spectacular views.  (Be sure to avoid the blue-blazed trials that descend to the North and the opposite side of the ridge.)  Your return hike follows the same trials back to the parking area.

The Long Trail (Mount Mansfield) - Stowe, Vermont

The Long Trail, a 270 mile trail running north-south throughout Vermont, which crosses Mt. Mansfield and Spruce Peak in Stowe.   It also include 175 miles of side trails.  From Stowe the easiest access is in Smugglers' Notch, where there are two trailheads.

One runs north, from the top of the Notch to Sterling Pond. The trail is steep and rocky for the first half mile, then flattens as it traverses Spruce Peak. It is another half-mile to Sterling Pond and a round trip total of 2 miles.

More intrepid climbers can follow the Long Trail South from Smugglers' Notch up Mt. Mansfield. This is one of the steepest sections of the Long Trail; here the trail climbs almost 3,000 vertical feet to the top of Mt. Mansfield (4,395 feet) in 2.3 miles. It is flatter toward the bottom, fairly wide but steeper through the middle, and very rocky at the top.

The views are well worth the effort: From the summit you can see west across Lake Champlain to the Adirondacks and on a clear day Mt. Washington can be seen to the east. Bring warm clothes, water and a picnic for an enjoyable day trip. 

The Long Trail is preserved and protected by the Green Mountain Club

Maps of the Long Trail

The Long Trail South (Mount Mansfield) - Stowe, Vermont
Total Distance:  4.7 Miles
Hiking Time:  6.5 Hours
Vertical Rise:   2995 ft.
Rating:  Difficult

In the Mount Mansfield State Forest
From Stowe, follow Route 108, 8.5 miles North to the Long Trail parking area just before the picnic area.   Hike South from the parking area to the information board at the trailhead.  The trail ascends steeply at first, but soon eases through the forest with steps built by the Green Mountain Club.  The trail continues to ascend quite steeply, with a very steep ascent just before reaching the Taft Lodge at the 1.7 mile mark.  Continue up the trail to the 2.0 mile mark and the junction at Eagle Pass.  Continue South 0.3 mile and ascend the steep face of the Chin to the panoramic summit of Mount Mansfield, 4393' above sea level.  Your return hike follows the same trails back to the parking area.

Mount Worcester - (North of Montpelier)
This graceful hike emerges from a tranquil hollow that exerts its calming influence on the character of the hike. Solitary steps, peaceful streams, and a deep serenity accompany hikers to the top of this peak, contributing a generous measure of pleasure beyond the summit views.

General description: A half-day hike on a lightly used trail to a summit in the Worcester Range.
General location: About 12 miles north of Montpelier.
Length: 4.8 miles round-trip.
Difficulty: Intermediate.
Elevation gain: 2,000 feet.
Special attractions: Serene hiking and mountain views.
Finding the trailhead: Travel north from Montpelier on Vermont Highway 12 and turn left (west) onto Minister Brook Road 0.15 mile past the general store and post office in Worcester village (about 80 yards past the Town Hall). Turn right onto Hampshire Hill Road after 1.5 miles and bear left in another 2.2 miles as Hancock Brook Road enters at an angle from the right. Cross a large culvert and turn left into a dirt road 0.1 mile beyond the junction. Bear right at the first fork where an arrow sign points toward the trail, and follow the lane 0.2 mile to the trailhead on the left.
Maps: USGS Mount Worcester quad.
For more information: Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, District IV, 324 North Main Street, Barre, VT 05641; (802) 479-3241.

Mount Elmore - (Between Morrisville & Montpelier)
General description: An entertaining family hike to the northernmost peak in the Worcester Range.
General location: Near Lake Elmore Village, about 20 miles north of Montpelier.
Length: 5.2 miles round-trip.
Difficulty: Moderate; intermediate on the alternate trail.
Elevation gain: 1,500 feet.
Special attractions: Campground, beach, Balanced Rock, and fine fire tower views.
Finding the trailhead: Follow Vermont Highway 12 north from Montpelier or south from Morrisville to the northern end of Lake Elmore. Enter Elmore State Park on the west side of the highway, 0.4 mile north of Lake Elmore village. Stop at the contact station in season, then wind 0.8 mile uphill on the park's gravel road to a picnic shelter and metal gate across the head of the trail.
Maps: USGS Morrisville quad.
For more information: Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, District IV, 324 North Main Street, Barre, VT 05641; (802) 479-3241.

Please note that this information is provided for your information and, as it summarized from several sources, we can not guarantee the finer points.  Hike Trail maps are available at the Lodge, at the Stowe Visitor's Center and from organizations like the Green Mountain Club mentioned above.