Vermont has hiking trails for everyone from beginners to experienced trekkers, and the views we take in along the way are worth every sore muscle we feel after. Sometimes we're not up for something too extreme, so we thought we'd put together a go-to list with hikes under 5 miles in Vermont. No matter where you are in the Green Mountain State, we've got 18 rewarding short treks that will make you love hiking in Vermont.
1. Moss Glen Falls, Stowe
This easy hike is less than a mile, and the waterfall is amazing!
2. Owl's Head, Peacham
This easy to moderate hike has open fern meadows, rocky outcrops and lots of views. 3.8 miles should take roughly 2 hours.
3. Wheeler Mountain, Sutton
This 2.5-mile hike will take about 2 hours to complete and will bring you to rocky cliffs and amazing views.
4. Elmore Mountain, Elmore
This 4.4-mile hike has multiple rock outcrops, a fire tower, amazing views and the famous balancing rock.
5. Mount Pisgah, Westmore
Just under the 5-mile mark is the great Mount Pisgah. Enjoy 4.8 miles of high and rocky perches over the lake.
6. Lye Brook Falls, Manchester
You won't want to miss the 125-foot waterfall in this steep valley. The hike is moderate and it may take about 3 hours to do this 4.4-mile hike to the breathtaking falls.
7. Harmon Hill, Woodford
This 3.7-mile moderate hike will take about 2.5 hours, longer if you stop to check out the wildlife and eat some wild berries in the ridge line fields.
8. Putney Mountain, Putney
An easy ridge line walk that takes about an hour, you'll enjoy the grassy summit after trekking 1.2 miles on this easy hike.
9. Little Rock Pond, Mount Tabor
This hike is 4.8 miles and is considered easy. Plan for about 3.5 hours to do the loop around this pond. Bring your swimsuit as there are plenty of places to swim here.
10. Snake Mountain, Addison
A moderate hike through a mature hardwood forest and cliff top views galore. This 3.6-mile hike should take about 2 hours.
11. Deer Leap, Killington
2 miles in about 1.5 hours, this easy hike has rocky outcrop and wonderful mountain views.
12. Spruce Mountain, Plainfield
Bring the kids or the dogs to this 4.4-mile beauty.
13. White Rock Mountain, Middlesex
A moderate to strenuous hike, this 4.6-mile trek hikes up 1,558 feet.
14. Mount Horrid's Great Cliff, Goshen
You'll find rare plants and wonderful views on this moderate 1.6-mile hike in Goshen.
15. Mount Philo State Park, Charlotte
This beautiful hike has scenic views from beneath the cliff. Prepare for a moderate 2.4-mile hike that will take about 1.5 hours.
16. Eagle Mountain, Milton
This easy 2.1-mile trail hikes the highest point on Vermont's shore of Lake Champlain.
17. Burton Island, St. Albans
This hike is a minimum of 2.8 miles, but you can add to it. The wonderful loop offers lots of shoreline spots to relax or swim.
18. Stowe Pinnacle, Stowe
This steep hike is 2.8 miles, 1,520 feet and the views are worth every step of the way.
Grab your sneakers and fill up your water bottles - we're ready to hit the trails and embark on an outdoor adventure in Vermont!
What do you consider to be the best hiking trails in Vermont? Let us know by sharing a comment below. For more hiking articles, check out this post here of the 8 best kid-friendly hikes in Vermont.
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