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Jamaica State Park
Overlook Trail: two hour loop hike to the top of a small mountain. Great views! (Some steep sections - would not recommend it for kids under 4 unless they are riding in a backpack.) Ball Mountain Dam Trail: first section is easy, it follows the West river along old railroad bed. Further down the hike becomes more difficult as it branches towards the Dam and Hamilton Falls. Portions of trails are open to biking. The park offers nice swimming area with picnic tables, restrooms and great playground for kids with swings, slides and more.
Driving time: 5 minutes. Open: last Friday in Apr to Oct 15th. Admission.
285 Salmon Hole Lane, Jamaica, VT 05343
Directions: from Jamaica village go 1.5m east on Depot St.
802-874-4600
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/jamaica.cfm |
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Ball Mountain Lake
80 acre lake above the dam on the West River. Hiking, canoeing, fishing. Overlook at the dam has views of Stratton and Bromley mountains. Built in 1961, the dam is part of flood control projects in Connecticut river basin.
Driving time: 5 minutes. Open: year round.
88 Ball Mountain Lane, Jamaica, VT 05343
Directions: off Rt. 100 between Jamaica and Stratton.
802-874-4881
http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/bml/bmlhome.htm |
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Townshend State Park
Hike to the top of Bald Mountain (vertical climb: 1,100 feet; summit: 1,680 feet). You will encounter waterfalls, chutes, and pools along the trail. There are views north, south, and east from the forested top. Park offers camping, picnic area, bathrooms. Nearby Townshend Dam Recreation Area has trails, sandy beach, playground, picnic tables with grills, bathrooms.
Driving time: 15 minutes. Open: Mid-May to Labor Day.
2755 State Forest Rd, Townshend, VT 05353
Directions: from jct. Hwy 30 and Town Rd: go 3m north on Town Rd.
802-365-7500
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/townshend.cfm |
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Townshend Dam Recreation Area
Ledges Overlook Trail is a moderate 1.7 miles loop with 400-foot elevation gain. The reward is great views of the surrounding mountains and the West river valley beneath. Exercise caution at the ledges, especially with children. Also, the recreation area offers great swimming (sandy beach), picnic areas with grills, nice playground (really really nice) and bathrooms.
Driving time: 15 minutes. Open: Mid-May to Labor Day.
Directions: take Rt. 30 towards Townshend, you will see the Dam on the right a few miles before the village.
802-365-7500
http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/tsl/tlrec.htm |
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Stratton Mountain Resort
Lots of hiking trails on and around the mountain. Gondola rides to the summit (3,936 feet). Also horseback riding, tennis, golf, sports center. Fireworks on the 4th of July.
Driving time: 15 minutes.
800-STRATTON
http://www.stratton.com |
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Winhall Brook Campground
Beach (West River), bath house, playground, picnic areas, restrooms. Has a hiking trail along the river (West River Loop Trail).
Driving time: 15 minutes. Open: May - Sept.
Directions: take Rt. 100 from Jamaica to Londonderry. Sign on your right.
802-874-4881
Trip Advisor Reviews |
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Lowell Lake State Park
3.5m flat terrain hiking trail around the lake. Trail features a revolutionary war-era cemetery, stands of large white pine trees, beaver lodges and scenic views of the lake and wetlands. The park also offers kayaking and canoeing on the lake. Boat launch, picnic areas, including on an island, wetlands.
Driving time: 20 minutes. Open year round.
1756 Little Pond Rd, Londonderry, VT 05148
Directions: several miles east of Londonderry on Rt. 11.
802-824-4035
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/lowell.cfm |
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Hapgood Pond
Hapgood Pond Nature Trail is an easy 0.8 mile loop that goes around the 8-acre reservoir. Also, nice sandy beach with picnic tables, restrooms and a bathhouse at the pond. Great for children! Other activities include fishing.
Driving time: 30 minutes. Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day. Admission.
Directions: from Peru Village on VT Rt. 11 take Forest Hwy 3 north 1.4m to the junction with the access road to Hapgood Pond on the left.
802-362-2307 (Manchester Ranger Station)
http://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/112314.html |
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Prospect Rock
Moderate hike to a steep drop-off ledge called "Prospect Rock" that gives nice views of the town of Manchester and the valley below. The trail crosses Long Trail at 1.5 miles. Continue past Long Trail to a spur trail that leads 200 feet west to the Prospect Rock. Total distance: 3 miles. Hiking time: 2.5 hours. Vertical rise: 1100 ft.
Driving time: 30 minutes.
Directions: in Manchester, take East Manchester Road for 150 feet, then turn left on Rootville Road for 0.5m to the dead end. Do not block the road and do not park near or past the "No Parking" signs.
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Lye Brook Falls
Very beautiful maple and birch forest. Most of the time the trail goes along the side of a steep ravine with the Lye Brook roaring far below. The trail is rocky, crosses several streams and gradually ascends for most of its length towards the falls. The end point of this moderate hike is one of the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Vermont. This is one of the best hikes we experienced in Vermont and is highly recommended! Trail length: 2.3 miles one way. It took us 5 hours to enjoy the round trip with 4 and 5 year olds. Make sure you have enough time to get back before dark.
Driving time: 30 minutes.
Directions: in Manchester, take East Manchester Road for 1.1m to Glen Road (immediately after an overpass). Take a left into Glen Road and proceed to a fork. At the fork, continue straight ahead. The gravel road dead-ends at the trailhead in 0.4 miles. |
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Grafton
Lots of hiking and biking trails in and around Grafton village. Pick up a trail map in Grafton Village General Store. In winter, all hiking trails become excellent cross-country/snow-shoeing trails. Start at the Nature Museum, cross the street to a school playground, visit a blacksmith studio, continue along a winding path towards Grafton Cheese. You will pass a pond (fishing permitted if you are under 12), sheep barn, restrooms, cow pasture (you may feed the cows), covered bridge, swinging bridge, picnic areas. Kids might enjoy a dip into a small river in summer. Lots of nice round pebbles to play with.
Driving time: 30 minutes. Open year round.
http://www.graftonponds.com |
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Soapstone Quarry - Grafton
A modest walk along the VAST trail roads to an old quarry. About 1 hour each way. Roads are sometimes used by ATVs in summer and might get muddy but the walk is generally pleasant, although slopes get rather steep in several places. Small kids may get tired quickly. During the second half of the hike you'll see lots of old stonewalls consumed by the forest. Near the quarry there are a number of small ponds fully surrounded by woods. The ponds look majestic and tranquil and but full of life, huge toads being only the tip of the iceberg. Only 100-200 years ago this place was full of agricultural and industrial activity and now it is buried in the middle of nowhere. Feels strange walking there.
Driving time to trailhead: 30 mins.
Directions: in Townshend take Townshend Road towards Grafton. A couple of miles before Grafton Village turn right into Turner Hill Rd. The road goes steeply uphill and dead ends at a private property. 100 yards prior to the dead end the trailhead starts on the left. It is marked with a green VAST trail marker. There will be two three-way intersections along the hike. Keep right at both of them. Ignore less pronounced turns and side roads, always keep to the better worn trail. At the first three-way intersection turning right will follow the VAST trail. At the second three-way intersection the VAST trail will go left and sharply downhill. Bear right and follow a better road for about 200-300 yards until a sharp left spur that leads to the quarry. You can access this spur by car (thus considerably shortening your hike) by taking Walker Road from the Athens Pond on Rt. 35.
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Vermont Country Store Nature Trail
Easy 30-45 mins loop trail that passes several different ecosystems and demonstrates how nature reclaims former pastures and orchards. Beautiful flower meadow, dense cool forest of white pines, lots of blackberries, mushrooms, remnants of former stonewalls, pastures and orchards. Ideal for children! Interpretive brochure available at the trailhead. Very nice on a hot summer day, as the trail meanders mostly below the forest canopy in a cool clear air.
Driving time: 30 mins.
The trailhead begins in the parking lot of the Vermont Country Store in Weston.
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Botany Trail at Southern Vermont Arts Center
The Southern Vermont Arts Center is a non-profit educational institution located on a beautiful 407-acre estate listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Boswell Botany Trail is an easy half-hour walk through the woods that identifies trees, ferns and wildflowers. Afterwards, explore the Sculpture Gardens or enjoy an exquisite lunch at The Garden Café (May-October). Exhibits are closed on Mondays, but you can still hike the grounds.
Driving time: 30 minutes. Daily except Mon. Admission for the exhibits.
West Road, Manchester, VT 05254
802-362-1405
http://www.svac.org |
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Equinox Pond
2.25 mile loop trail, plus 3/4 of a mile round-trip to Robin's lookout. Not difficult. Start at the red gate (behind The Equinox Hotel in Manchester, pick up the trail map at the hotel). Proceed along the Red Gate Trail to Trillium Trail to the Pond Loop Trail. Excellent view and a rest-snack opportunity at the Robin's Lookout. Plan a 2-hour hike for the loop plus an hour for the lookout detour.
Driving time: 30 minutes.
Rt. 7A, South of Manchester's blinking light.
Trailhead is behind The Equinox Hotel. |
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Hildene
Mansion of Robert Todd Lincoln, the eldest son of President Abraham & Mary Todd Lincoln. Several easy hiking trails with good views of the valley and surrounding mountains. One of the trails crosses a farm with alpacas, llamas, goats and cows. Also, check out Hildene in the Museums category for more details.
Driving time: 35 minutes. Open year round. Admission.
1005 Hildene Road, Manchester, VT 05254
802-362-1788
http://www.hildene.org
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Equinox Mountain Skyline Drive
Spectacular drive to the top of Mount Equinox (3848'). Several paved picnic/viewing areas along the way. Great vistas! There is an inn at the top (currently closed). A short hike from the parking area at the summit to Lookout Rock provides for a beautiful view of Manchester and the valley.
Driving time to Toll House: 40 mins. Open: May 1 - Oct 31. Admission.
Directions: from Manchester, take historic Rt 7A south towards Arlington. The toll house will be on your right in about three miles.
802-362-1114
http://www.equinoxmountain.com/mountain |
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Fisher-Scott Memorial Pines, National Natural Landmark
One of the finest old-growth large-diameter white pine stands in Vermont. (About 22 acres.) Has the tallest white pine tree in Vermont (143.4 feet), and sizable hemlocks grow on the slopes along Mill Brook. This is not a "hike" in a true sense of the word. But children and adults will enjoy a short stroll among the towering giants. No comparison to redwoods or sequoias, but still something to admire and enjoy.
Driving time: 40 mins.
Directions: from Manchester, take Rt. 7A towards Arlington. Right turn into Red Mountain Road. Just before pavement turns to gravel (at the end of uphill climb) there is a path on the left leading into the woods. |
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Shaftsbury State Park
This nature trail (1 mile loop) around lake Shaftsbury is one of the best in Vermont. It is short and very easy even for small kids. It offers great diversity: various types of forests and swamps, wildlife, local history and even a glacial esker! Pick up an excellent trail brochure at the beach house.
Also in the park: sandy beach, playground, volleyball court, picnic areas among stately white pines, beach house, concession stand, rowboats, canoes and paddleboats rentals.
Driving time: 45 minutes. Open mid-May to Labor Day.
262 Shaftsbury State Park Rd, Shaftsbury, VT 05262
Directions: park entrance is on Rt. 7A, 4 miles south of Arlington.
802-375-9978
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/shaftsbury.cfm |
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Camp Plymouth State Park
1.5 mile loop trail (.5 mile to the vista). Moderate trail that passes an old cemetery, climbs atop a hill that offers great views of the Echo lake and descends to the Buffalo brook. The trail passes deer, black bear, snowshoe hare, red squirrel, fisher and long-tailed weasel habitats. Also in the park: sandy beach, playground, picnic area, beach house, concession stand, boat launch, fishing and boat docks, boat rentals.
Driving time: 45 minutes. Open mid-May to Labor Day.
1960 Scout Camp Rd, Ludlow, VT 05149
Directions: from Ludlow, continue on Rt. 100 to Tyson and follow signs.
802-228-2025
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/plymouth.cfm |
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Merck Forest and Farmland Center
Working farm with a mission to teach sustainable forest and farmland management. Stop by the visitors center. Explore the farm, its crops, its animals and farming practices. Stop by the sugar house. Admire unbelievable views for miles around! Lots of various hikes, interpretive and nature trails - ask for a map.
Driving time: 50 minutes. Open year-round dawn to dusk.
Directions: take Rt.30 to Dorset. In Dorset turn left into Rt. 315 (Rupert Rd). After about 2.5 miles the road will crest a hill, Merck Forest sign will be on your left.
P.O.Box 86, Route 315 Rupert Mountain Road, Rupert, VT 05768.
802-394-7836
http://www.merckforest.com
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Fort Dummer State Park
Two easy 1 mile loops: sunrise trail and sunset trail. Each offers an overlook. Sunset trail has a better overlook over Guilford area and the town church (allegedly the oldest in VT). The park also offers camp sites and bathrooms. The only drawback - traffic is heard from I-91.
Driving time: 50 minutes. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission.
517 Old Guilford Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Directions: in Brattleboro Rt 5 South, left into Fairground Rd, pass school on right, right into Main Street which becomes Old Guilford Rd.
802-228-2025
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/fortdummer.cfm |
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White Rocks National Recreation Area
Great hike! Somewhat difficult, but our 3.5 and 4.5 year old kids managed with style. The views are spectacular! White quartzite rocks sometimes peel away their layers like onions and lush spike mosses are inviting for a touch. Lots of mushrooms in August. The end of the trail leads to the bottom of huge rock slide where ice keeps itself cold and frozen in rock crevices through most of the summer. The temperature here is about 20 (F) degrees cooler than the surroundings. Round trip: 1.6 miles. Highly recommended.
Driving time: 1 hour.
Rt 140, 3 miles east of Wallingford.
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_nra/vt_white.htm
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Long Trail
As you travel Rt. 11/30 between Bromley and Manchester, the road crosses the Long Trail [parking]. To the north, the trail climbs up to the Bromley Mountain summit (3260') [observation tower], then drops to Mad Tom Notch (2446')and climbs up the Styles Peak (3394'). Short hike further north brings you to Peru Peak (3429') and later to Griffith Lake (2719') [good campground]. Continue to Baker Peak (2835') for good views. After that the trail descends to Mount Tabor-Weston forest service road (not maintained in winter).
To the south, the trail transects Lye Brook Wilderness and reaches the Prospect Rock with nice views of Manchester. Then passes Stratton Pond and climbs on top of Stratton Mountain (3936'), then continues south towards Arlington.
http://www.greenmountainclub.org |
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