Some of the Best Hikes in The Valley

Content borrowed from The Valley Reporter, June 28, 2007, "Mountains Offer a Summer Full of Fun", and the 2007 4-Season Guide

Sunset Rock -- For a short hike good for an evening outing, take a trip to Sunset Rock.  As the name suggests, this is a nice place to take in the views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains as the sun goes down.  The trailhead is located at the top of the Lincoln Gap Road, accessed off Route 100 in Warren.  Park on the left hand side of the road and follow the Long Trail south.

Mount Abraham -- The trailhead for this hike is located just across the road from parking for Sunset Rock on Lincoln Gap road.  Follow the Long Trail north for about 2.5 miles, passing an overnight shelter along the way, to reach the rocky summit.  At just over 4,000 feet in elevation, Mount Abraham is the fifth tallest mountain in the state and offers panoramic views.  The treeless summit boasts fragile arctic-alpine vegetation, and hikers are asked to stick to the designated trail.  Hikers looking for a longer journey may continue down the Long Trail for another 8/10's of a mile to Lincoln Peak, one of two mountains hosting the ski trails of Sugarbush Resort.

North Fayston Walk -- This four mile stroll begins on the North Fayston Road off Route 100.  For the best views of Burnt Rock Mountain, it is recommended that hikers start by walking west on North Fayston Road, completing the loop via Center Fayston Road and Randell Road.  Roads are unpaved and low traffic

Stetson Hollow -- This route is a four mile long out and back trip on a National Forest Service road.  Access to the trail is via Stetson Hollow Road off Route 100, about two miles past the south entrance to the village of Warren.  Parking is limited.  The route follows Stetson Brook and features several cascades and a waterfall.

Camel's Hump, 4080' -- From Waitsfield, follow Rte 100 north for 10 miles to Duxbury; turn left on River Road and go 4.5 miles to a 3 way fork.  Turn left; go 3.5 miles.  Or, take Rte 17 over Appalachian Gap, after the summit take the first right to Huntington Centre, take a right past the town hall to the end of the road.  Summit is 3.5 miles either way, 3-5 hours round trip.

Burnt Rock, 3168' -- It offers views of the Green Mountain range, north to Mount Ira Allen, Mount Ethan Allen, and Camels Hump, and west across Lake Champlain to New York's Adirondacks.  There are refreshing waterfalls of fresh cold water hidden in the woods here.  Park at the end of Big Basin Road, follow Hedgehog Brook Trail 2 miles to the intersection of the Long Trail, up to the summit.  5.2 miles round trip.

Mount Ellen, 4083' -- Hike up the ski trails at Sugarbush to Lincoln Peak or Nancy Hank's Peak, then follow the 4000' ridgeline to Mount Ellen...this is arduous but rewarding!

General Stark Mountain, 3662' -- Take Rte 17 to Applachian Gap.  Take Long Trail south for 3.1 miles to the summit, passing Mad River Glen.  You can overnight in shelters at:  Theron Dean (1.8 mi); Stark's Nest (2.5 mi); or Glen Ellen Lodge (0.5 mi past summit), 4-5 hours round trip.

Catamount Trail -- North America's longest continuous ski trail is one of Vermont's treasures.  This trail winds 300 miles through Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada, offering terrific back-country skiing, snowshoeing and biking for all abilities.  Pick it up in the Valley along the Millbrook Trail.  The trail crosses old logging roads, farms, x-c ski centers and inns.  The non-profit Catamount Trail association is dedicated to maintaining and protecting the trail.