The Best Day Hikes in America: Devil’s Gulch
Long Trail State Forest, Vermont
Vermont, located in the northeastern U.S., is dominated by the Green Mountains, a northern range of the Appalachians. This wooded range is comprised of more than 200 mountains over 2,000 feet.
The 2,184-mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through this area, a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately one of the premier long backpacking trails in the United States.
Long Trail State Forest, Vermont
Passing through a mature hardwood forest, this 6.2-mile out-and-back contours gradually up Mt. Moosalamoo for fine views of the Green Mountains, Adirondacks, and Lake Dunmore.
At 9.9 miles, this multi-use loop gently climbs an old logging road crisscrossing Cotton Brook, then moves up the banks of a reservoir with dramatic views of the Worcester Range.
Climb less than 1,000 ft. to craggy overlooks of Lake Willoughby and Mount Pisah on this 8.3-mile out-and-back in Willoughby State Park.
This 6.1-mile hike in the Green Mountains leads to a plane-crash site, crosses a rare alpine zone, and ends up on the state's third-highest peak.
Check out the largest patch of alpine tundra in Vermont on this 4.8-mile out-and-back to the highest mountain in the state.
Brilliant fall colors, sparkling waterfalls, and a mountaintop lookout tower highlight this scenic 5.2-mile dayhike in Ascutney State Park.
On the way up to three Green Mountain summits, this strenuous 12.4 mile loop scampers along ridgelines and rewards with expansive views of Lake Champlain.
This loop lumps a lot into 4.9 miles: big climbs (2,200 feet), panoramic views (from New York to New Hampshire), and alpine plants rarely found in the Northeast.
Just outside Burlington, the summit of Mount Philo offers sweeping views of Lake Champlain along with Adirondack and Green Mountain peaks.
A popular dayhike or trail-run near Burlington, the 2.9-mile out-and-back to Stowe Pinnacle treks through hardwood forest to an overlook of neighboring Green Mountain peaks.
See how weather and geology conspire to make topography.
This 4.1-mile loop on the southwestern slopes of Mount Mansfield offers dayhikers a healthy dose of elevation, fun rock scrambling, and Champlain Valley vistas.
A stiff, 1.8-mile climb to the Taylor Lodge shelter on Vermont's Long Trail, this 3.6-mile out-and-back works as both a half-day hike and a challenging trail run.
The first 16-mile chunk of the Long Trail starts in Massachusetts, kicking off with a steep climb to the Vermont state line (the Trail's official start) and a rugged trek north.
This 20-mile stretch of Vermont's Long Trail tops out at a fire tower overlook on Glastenbury Mountain and offers thru-hikers four shelter options along the way.
A pair of 1,300-foot ascents bookend this 25-mile stretch of Vermont's Long Trail. In addition to Stratton and Bromley Mountains, this route also samples numerous forested brooks and Green Mountain vistas.
Even as this 19.2-mile stretch of the Vermont Long Trail loses more elevation than it gains. Plus: thru-hikers are treated to pond-side shelters, Green Mountain overlooks, and more challenging terrain.
Nearly 7,000-feet of climbing are spread over this 22-mile point-to-point on Vermont's Long Trail; the highlight is a 2,400-foot ascent to 360-degree views atop Killington Peak.