Hiking

The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests are full of hiking opportunities for people of all interests and abilities.

Backpacking

The Green Mountain National Forest hugs the ridge tops from the Massachusetts border to Bristol, Vermont and makes up about six percent of the landmass in Vermont. It has 900 miles of trails and eight wilderness areas; Aiken, Big Branch, Breadloaf, Bristol Cliffs, Joseph Battell, Glastenbury, Lye Brook, and Peru Peak that offer many backpacking experiences. Hikers in wilderness areas are encouraged to become familiar with wilderness survival skills and adhere to Leave No Trace Guidelines, such as Pack it in–Pack it out. There are many opportunities for overnight hikes that offer a variety of experiences for the hikers. The following are a few of the more popular multi-day hikes that are relatively easy to find and follow.

Eight Congressionally Designated Wilderness Areas

• Big Branch Wilderness
• Breadloaf Wilderness
• Bristol Cliffs Wilderness
• George D. Aiken Wilderness
• Glastenbury Wilderness
• Joseph Battell Wilderness
• Lye Brook Wilderness
• Peru Peak Wilderness

Day Hikes

On a day hike, extra weight wears you down and reduces your agility over uneven terrain. Pack as light as possible. Leave the extras behind, but consider bringing these essentials:

• Map
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Sunscreen
• Flashlight
• Waterproof matches
• First aid kit
• Water and water-purifying tablets
• High-energy bars, granola, candy, or fruit
• Extra clothing. Temperatures can change dramatically, particularly if there is an elevation change. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the temperature often drops three to five degrees.

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Recreation Opportunities

Backpacking (6)

Day Hikes (61)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 63 results

Abbey Pond Trail

From the parking lot, the trail climbs moderately to a stream crossing at 0.2 miles. At 0.4 miles the trail drops into the stream requiring a scramble down the bank and a 50 foot walk in the stream…

Backbone Trailhead

The Backbone Trail begins at the Backbone Horse Campground.  The trail traverses the Forest through shrub-lands, pastures, old roads, and many old homestead sites.  It intersects the Interloken and…

Bald Mountain

The Bald Mountain trail provides a path for visitors to access the Glastenbury Wilderness and the summit of Bald Mountain. From the Bennington side, after climbing several hundred feet, hikers will…

Blueberry Lake Trails

The Blueberry Lake trails feature gentle grades, sweeping turns and flowy lines. Start slowly and learn the routes, before increasing speed. Be aware of guide stones near the edges of the trail.…

Bourn Pond Trail

The Bourn Poin Trail skirts the western edge of Branch Pond and then enters the Lye Brook Wilderness. The trail travels along an old railroad grade and reaches south end of Borun Pond. Sections of…

Breadloaf Wilderness

The largest of the Wildernesses in the Green Mountain National Forest, Breadloaf takes its name from Breadloaf Mountain, the highest point in the area at 3,835 feet. Within the boundaries you'll be…

Bromley Mountain Trail

The trail, part of the Appalachian/Long Trail system, is identified by white trail blazes. This trail follows a rocky course through a mixed northern hardwood forest. From the summit there are…

Burnt Hill Trail

The Burnt Hill Trail is located on the southern end of the Forest, extending south from Picnic Area Road. It includes forests, shrub-lands and pastures and offers many beautiful vistas along the way.…

Burnt Hill Trailhead

The Burnt Hill Trail climbs easily to a junction at 0.7 miles, and then turns to the left. The trail continues to climb easily along an old logging road for the first 1.0 mile. Then it enters the…

Caywood Point

Caywood Point is the only part of the Finger Lakes National Forest bordering Seneca Lake. Fossenvue Trail is a gravel path descends through forest to an open area beside the lake with a gravel beach…