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Whether you live or play in Vermont, residents and visitors alike all seem to share a sense of adventure. Our beautiful state offers everything from skiing in the winter season to bungee jumping in the summer! While there are plenty of fun things to do, we highly recommend taking a hike. Picturesque mountain views and crisp New England air make each trek unforgettable. Here are some of our favorite Green Mountain hiking trails to explore.

Learn more about Green Mountain hiking trails when you download our free vacation guide! It’s full of recommendations for fun things to do during your stay with GetAway Vacations.

Top 4 Green Mountain Hiking Trails

1. Hiking at Killington

Killington Adventure Center offers 15 miles of designated trails that venture to and from the mountain’s peak. These trails range in difficulty and length, making them suitable for a variety of ability levels. Easy trails are relatively short (under two miles) and only have a few pitches. Moderate trails are around three miles in length and climb continuously uphill, with few places to rest. Difficult trails tend to be longer than three miles and have steep vertical climbs exceeding 1,500 feet. Be sure to bring some water and a snack!

2. Mount Equinox Trail

Looking for a challenge? Try the difficult 6.6-mile Mount Equinox Trail in Green Mountain National Forest. Mount Equinox is the highest peak in the Taconic Range, but its gorgeous views are worth the uphill climb. You’ll even see a variety of beautiful wildflowers along the way. This trail is open year-round.

3. The Long Trail

The Long Trail is known as Vermont’s “footpath in the wilderness.” It’s the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States and follows the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line all the way to the Canadian border. With almost 400 miles of rugged terrain, streams, ponds, and hardwood forests, hikers will love this world-class trail.

4. Bucklin Trail

Panoramic views of the Green Mountains await on the Bucklin Trail. This 7.2-mile route goes straight up to Killington Peak and is moderately difficult. Start on the blue-blazed Bucklin Trail and follow it for 3.3 miles all the way to the junction with the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail. Turn right and follow the white-blazed LT/AT for just 0.1 mile, then turn left onto Killington Spur. This will take you to the summit. Once you reach the top, you’ll be able to see the Adirondacks in New York and the White Mountains in New Hampshire!

Pro Tip: The best time to hit any of the Green Mountain trails mentioned above is between May and October. Because of melting snow, mud can become worse on the trails in the early spring and fall.

Book Your Stay With GetAway Vacations

Now that you know about the best Green Mountain hiking trails, let us help you book your trip to Vermont! Our luxurious vacation rentals are located right here in Killington and have everything you need for a memorable getaway. Soak in your own private hot tub, curl up in front of the fireplace, or take a dip in the pool. Each of our accommodations provides peace and tranquility to help you rest up for another day of adventure. We look forward to having you!

Interested in taking a guided hike?
Check out our 
Green Mountain hiking packages! Don’t forget to check out our amazing vacation rentals here!

Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure? Plan to visit the Thundering Falls Trail in Killington, VT! Part of the Vermont Appalachian Trail, Thundering Falls is an easy hike on a 0.4-mile boardwalk that leads to one of the tallest waterfalls in Vermont. From a viewing platform, visitors can watch in awe as the water cascades through a steep and narrow cataract. It’s a spectacular sight to behold! Whether you’re an avid hiker or just starting out, a trip to Thundering Falls will leave you with lasting memories. Here are some things you should know about the trail.

Find out more about the Thundering Falls Trail when you download our free vacation guide. It’s full of information on the best places to visit during your stay with GetAway Vacations!

Your Guide to the Thundering Falls Trail

The Thundering Falls Trail is the first and only universally-accessible portion of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont. Built by the Green Mountain Club, this 900-foot boardwalk gets rid of a dusty road walk on Thundering Brook Road, adds great views of the Ottauquechee Valley and the falls, and makes a stretch of the Appalachian Trail available to people who use wheelchairs. Click here to view a trail map.

About the Falls

At 140 feet, Thundering Falls is the sixth tallest waterfall in the state. It’s part of Kent Brook which flows out of Kent Pond, just north of where the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail split. At high water, Thundering Falls offers a magnificent cascade as the stream tumbles to the ground. The falls are also the site of a historic mill that’s powered by the energy of the falling water. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

How To Get There

From the Appalachian Trail: Starting from the River Road parking area, the Appalachian Trail passes through open Ottauquechee River floodplain and crosses the Thundering Falls boardwalk. The trail then ascends to the falls viewing platform. From here, the Appalachian Trail continues its ascent through northern hardwood forest to Thundering Brook Road where a small parking lot can be found.

From GetAway Vacations: From the intersection of Vermont Route 100 and Route 4 in Killington, drive two miles east to the River Road intersection. Drive another 1.5 miles until you see the wheelchair-accessible parking lot on the left.

Plan an Incredible Trip to Vermont with GetAway Vacations!

After an adventure on the Thundering Falls Trail, head back to one of our Killington vacation rentals and relax! Our comfortable and luxurious properties are just minutes from the trail and have everything you need to unwind. New to hiking? We offer guided hikes in the summertime lead by Killington Mountain Guides! You’ll learn how to pack a backpack properly as well as some basic land navigation. Hikes generally last between one and four hours and are appropriate for guests of skill levels. Call us at (802) 438-8077 to learn more. We look forward to having you!

Looking for more great places to explore?
Read our blog about the best Killington hiking trails!

Photo Credit: NorthHatley | Getty Images

Pico Peak is a 3,957-foot mountain in Killington, Vermont. It’s the northernmost summit of the Coolidge Range and is the second highest mountain after Killington Peak. Visitors to Pico can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the year including skiing and snowboarding, hiking, horseback riding, and much more. The next time you visit the Green Mountain State, plan a trip to Pico Peak and see what makes this mountain so special!

Find out more about Pico Peak in Vermont when you download our free vacation guide. It’s full of information on the best attractions near GetAway Vacations!

Some of the Best Things to Do at Pico Peak in Vermont

Skiing & Snowboarding

Pico Mountain Ski Area was one of the first commercial ski resorts in the state. It’s located on the northwest side of Pico Peak and features 57 trails, seven lifts, and a 1,967-foot vertical drop. Experienced skiers and snowboarders will love the black and double black diamond trails, and first-timers can hone their skills on gentle learning slopes. There’s also a number of green and blue routes for guests of all levels. Be sure to view a trail map before heading out.

With its cozy lodge and stone fireplaces, Pico’s central base area is a great place to rest and recharge. You’ll find a variety of culinary options including homemade waffles, sandwiches, kid-friendly meals and more. There’s also lunch and après entertainment on weekends. It’s the perfect place to wrap up a day of skiing in Vermont!

Hiking

Did you know that Pico Peak is on the New England Hundred Highest hiking list? There are two main trails that reach the summit: Sherburne Pass Trail and the Long Trail. Both trails lead to Pico Camp, which is a great place to stop and rest for lunch. The summit is just 0.4 miles from the camp. Be sure to bring your camera – the surrounding scenery is spectacular during every season!

Summer Activities

Each year when the weather gets warmer, Pico Mountain changes from a snow mecca to a summer playspace. The Pico Mountain Adventure Center offers non-stop family fun with guided horseback rides, mini golf, rock climbing, and more. Take a scenic chairlift ride to the top of Little Pico, then enjoy an exhilarating ride down the Alpine Slide. Or, head over to Power Jump where kids and adults can bounce, flip, and fly through the air. There’s even an 18-hole disc golf course that winds down Pico Mountain! The Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from late June through early September.

Book Your Stay with GetAway Vacations!

After an unforgettable adventure at Pico Peak in Vermont, take a short drive back to our Killington vacation rentals and relax! With luxurious amenities like jacuzzi bathtubs, fireplaces, full kitchens, and more, our beautiful properties have everything you need to unwind. View our accommodations to see what’s available and contact us today to make your reservations. We look forward to having you!

Find out how you can save on your trip to Vermont with our vacation packages and specials!

Photo Credit: mjbs | Getty Images

With its lush, green forests, sparkling lakes, and expansive National and State Parks, Killington, Vermont is a popular destination for hikers from all over the country. This picturesque region offers both rugged terrain and paved paths that entice adventurers of all ages and skill levels. Just a short drive from GetAway Vacations, visitors can enjoy miles of routes that wind up mountains, through dense woodlands, and along flowing rivers and streams, with a scenic backdrop of the Green Mountain State along the way! Here are some of our favorite Killington hiking trails to explore. 

Spend a Day on These Killington Hiking Trails

  1. Bucklin Trail: This 6.9-mile trail up to Killington Peak offers a moderate hike with rewarding views. Guests will begin at the trailhead and can hike on flat and easy terrain before encountering some steep, rocky areas about three miles in. Once at the top, however, you’ll have a stunning panorama of the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks of New York, and even the White Mountains of New Hampshire, so be sure to bring a camera! The Bucklin Trail is open March through October.
  1. Thundering Falls Trail: Part of the Vermont Appalachian Trail, Thundering Falls is an easy hike on a 0.4-mile wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that leads to the sixth tallest waterfall in the state. From a viewing platform, visitors can watch in awe as the water cascades 140 feet down through a steep and narrow cataract.
  1. Gifford Woods State Park: Located at the base of Killington Mountain, Gifford Woods State Park is close to both the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail and is a popular spot for year-round hiking and leaf-peeping in the fall. Guests particularly enjoy the scenic 0.3-mile hike on the Gifford Woods Interpretive Trail, which features interpretive exhibits that explore the natural and cultural history of the Gifford Woods old-growth forest.
  1. Deer Leap Trail: The Deer Leap Trail is an offshoot of the Appalachian Trail and offers a short but rugged hike that ends with dramatic views of the Coolidge Mountain Range. The trail climbs quickly to a small ridge and through open birch forest before reaching an overlook. Hikers can continue to climb over Big Deer Mountain before descending to a junction with the Appalachian Trail. The total trip is about 3 miles, with an average hiking time of 1.5 to 2 hours.
  1. Killington Mountain Resort: Offering 15 miles of designated trails, hikers of all skill levels can enjoy a journey to or from the mountain’s peak. The routes range in difficulty and length, with easy, short trails under 2 miles and steep, moderate trails that are around 3 miles uphill. The difficult trails tend to be longer than 3 miles and have vertical climbs exceeding 1,500 feet, so don’t forget to bring some water!

Book Your Stay with GetAway Vacations

Now that you know about the best Killington hiking trails in the area, it’s time to start planning your adventure! When searching for the perfect homestead in Vermont, look no further than our beautiful Killington vacation rentals. After a day spent challenging the body, our luxurious and comfortable homes provide a peaceful and relaxing retreat for you to unwind and restore. We can’t wait to hear about where the trails take you!

For more information on the best Green Mountain hiking trails, download our free Killington vacation guide. Don’t forget to check out our amazing vacation rentals!

Winding from the snow-capped peaks of Maine to the blue mountains of Georgia, the Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, with over 150 miles of trails located inside the state of Vermont. Ranging from easy to challenging, these trails are characterized by Vermont’s dense, green forests and even coincide with sections of the Long Trail in Vermont, which was the first long-distance hiking trail in the United States. Just an hour away from GetAway Vacations, a trip to the Appalachian Trail in Vermont is a must the next time you’re in the area! Here are some things you should know before heading out on an Appalachian adventure.

Spend a Day on the Appalachian Trail in Vermont 

Hiking

The Vermont Appalachian Trail follows the ridge of the southern Green Mountains and passes a variety of notable peaks like Stratton Mountain, Glastenbury Mountain, and Killington Peak. The trail also traverses the Green Mountain National Forest and enters Hanover, New Hampshire, as it crosses the Connecticut River. Killington is home to some of the most scenic areas of this trail, and with so much to see, we suggest consulting a guidebook and trail map to help lead you on your journey. You’ll be able to find shelters, scenic lookouts, and parking areas that will help you get the most out of your hike and will keep you from getting lost!

For those who don’t want to wander the trails alone, feel free to book a trip with Appalachian Trail Adventures. Their guides have over 20 years of experience and will lead you to all of the best features of the Vermont Appalachian Trail, including scenic mountain lookouts, waterfalls, and lakes, and will guarantee that you have an amazing hiking experience.

Driving

Of course, if you aren’t able to hike the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, taking a road trip is another wonderful option. The trail’s driving route parallels the hiking trail and allows you to experience Vermont’s natural beauty without the sweat, bugs, or blisters! You’ll see everything from historic sites and picturesque towns to fascinating wildlife and rugged backcountry, and you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your car.

Green Mountain Club

The Green Mountain Club (GMC), also known as the Appalachian Mountain Club of Vermont, maintains the Vermont Appalachian Trail by collecting fees of $5 at the high-use campsites along the trail. To keep the trail in great condition, they ask hikers to leave no trace behind and to avoid the trail during the muddy season, which runs from April through May. The GMC and also provides a list of memorable places along the trail for you to explore, including:

Come Home to GetAway Vacations!

Whether you choose to hike or drive the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, be sure to book your stay at one of our Killington vacation rentals! With modern amenities including jacuzzi hot tubs, gas fireplaces, and sprawling mountain views, our beautiful homes can turn your rugged adventure into a luxurious Vermont getaway. We can’t wait to hear about where the trails take you!

For more information on the best Green Mountain hiking trails, download our free Killington vacation guide.