Equipe Sport- Hiking in Southern Vermont

Hiking in Southern Vermont

Ball Mountain Dam

From Rawsonville follow R.100/30 south to Ball Mountain Dam Road. Take this left and follow to the end. The hiking here is over the old railway beds that once went all the way to Brattleboro. The 85 acre lake has a small beach and great fishing. C2

Branch Pond Trail

South from Stratton Mountain, take the first right after the Maintenance Garage. Take a right at the first stop sign and drive to the end of this road into the town of Stratton. Take a right onto Kelly Stand Road. Proceed approximately 2.5 miles past the Grout Pond entrance; the trailhead is on the right. This moderate hike will bring you 2 miles north to the pond. B2

Bromley Mountain

The AT/LT trailhead and large parking lot are .5 mile from the intersection of R.11/30. Although most of this trail is moderate, there are sections which become steep and difficult. Close to the top, the trail opens up to a Bromley Mountain ski trail and at the summit are a Ski Patrol Station and observation tower. Impressive views in all directions - great during foliage. B1

Equinox Preservation Trust

This 850 acre nature preserve of forest, streams and ponds lies behind the Equinox Hotel and extends more than 3,800 feet up Mount Equinox. A trail hiking and mountain biking paradise and one of the most significant - and fragile - natural areas in the region. Please pick up a detailed map at the hotel. A2

Griffith Lake

In Peru, turn onto Hapgood Pond Road, then left onto North Road. After .5 mile, turn left onto Mad Tom Road (FR#21) and drive 2 miles to Forest Road 58. At the end of this road is the trailhead to Griffith Lake, an easy, mostly flat walk for all levels along an old carriage road. Halfway, there is a beaver pond which provides some fun wildlife viewing. B1

Grout Pond Trails

South from Stratton Mountain, take the first right after the Maintenance Garage. Take a right at the first stop sign and drive to the end of this road into the town of Stratton. Take a right onto Kelly Stand Road and proceed until Forest Road 262; turn left and follow 1.2 miles to Grout Pond. This series of easy to intermediate loop trails has access to Somerset Reservoir. B2

Hapgood Pond Trails

These trails are located in the Hapgood Pond Recreation Area which is off Hapgood Pond Road in Peru. The trails start at the picnic area and go just under 1 mile around the pond. Gravel lined and wide, this is a very easy walk. B1

Harriman Reservoir/Lake Whitingham

2.5 miles west of Wilmington on R.9 toward Bennington. Go left and over the Medburyville Bridge. Left again after the bridge; go .5 mile to dead end where trail head starts. B4

Hathaway Trail

Right at split of R.100/Alternate R.100 (Sports Odyssey at corner). Follow past Sugar Mill Village to the right, take marked snowmobile trails approx. 500 yards. This takes you to the trailhead. Once on the trail, follow constantly going to the left. Trail ends further up on Alternate Route 100. C3

Jamaica State Park

From Rawsonville, follow Routes 30/100 5 miles south to Jamaica; go left at church and follow signs. Take an easy hike along the scenic West River to Cobb Brook or choose the more difficult trail ending at Hamilton Falls. Pick up trail map at park office. C2

Kendall Farm Road

Going north on R.30 toward Manchester, just past Homestead Landscaping, take a left onto this pleasant dirt road. B2

Lye Brook Falls

Heading west on Routes 11/30, turn left onto East Manchester Road, then south onto Glenn Road (just before underpass of Route 7), stay straight onto Lye Brook Road and follow it to the trailhead parking lot. This heavily forested wilderness offers great hikes and the beautiful Lye Brook Falls. Here, the cascading water will bring you out of Vermont and into a tropical forest. Lye Brook Meadows is a wildlife habitat for beaver, whitetailed deer, and black bear. B2

Merck Forest and Farmland Center

3,130 acres of privately owned (yet open and free to the public) forest and farmland, ideal for day hikes - sorry, no biking. Reasonably priced day camps and multi-day educational kids' programs from June through August. Brochure and info at the Visitor Center. A1

Molly Stark State Park

Go east on R.9 from Wilmington about 3 miles and look for a sign on the right. A fantastic, but short walk up Mt. Olga (easy to moderate) ends with a lookout tower. This is an easy 1.7 mile trip or try the Ghost Trail for very young hikers. There are open lawn spaces here, great for picnics. C4

Mt. Snow/Haystack

With over 15 miles of trails, summer chairlift rides, and nature tours, the Merrill Hiking Center at Mt. Snow is the perfect location from which families can base their outdoor adventures. C3

Prospect Rock

Heading west on R.11/30, go left onto East Manchester Road. Immediately on your left is Rootville Road - go to the end. Follow trail approx. 1.5 miles to the AT/LT junction. Prospect Rock is down a short trail to the right and offers spectacular views of the Manchester valley. B1

Spruce Peak

Heading west on R.11/30, the AT/LT parking lot will be on your right, 4.4 miles from Peru. Park here and cross the highway to hike south 2.2 miles to Spruce Peak (marked with a blue blaze) where you will find great views of the Manchester valley. This is a moderate walk which will take approx. 3.5-4 hours B1

Stratton Mountain

South from Stratton Mountain, take the first right after the Maintenance Garage. Right at first stop sign and drive to the end of this road into the town ot Stratton. Take a right onto Kelly Stand Road and drive until the AT/LT crosses the road near the Deerfield River bridge. Park here and start your 3.3 mile hike north to Stratton Mountain where there is a fire tower which provides views of all of southern Vermont and Mt. Monadnock. This is a moderate to difficult hike and if you have two cars you can make a loop by connecting wilh the Stratton Pond Trail. B2

Stratton Pond Trail

From Stratton Mountain, travel south and take the first right after the Maintenance Garage. Take a right at the first stop sign and drive to the end of this road into the town of Stratton. Take a right onto Kelly Stand Road, travel approx. 1 mile past the AT/LT trailhead and park on the right. This easy to moderate hike leads to the largest body of water on the Long Trail. B2

Styles & Peru Peaks

In Peru, turn onto Hapgood Pond Road, then left onto North Road. After .5 mile, turn left onto Mad Tom Road until the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail (AT/LT) crosses the road. A small parking area will be on the left. Styles is 1.5 miles north and Peru is another 1.7 miles past that. This hike is difficult but rewarding with good views at Styles. B1

Winhall/West Trail

From South Londonderry, drive south on R.100 looking for campground signs. Turn left onto Smith Mill Road. At the end of the road, approximately 1 mile, is the entrance of the Winhall Campground. From here you can choose which side of the river to walk: the south side curves around into South Londonderry and the north side will bring you to Ball Mountain Dam. Picnic tables and firepits galore! C2