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.