Vermont Destination Resources
Vermont’s Appalachian Region: Along the Spine of the Green Mountains
Running like a green backbone through the heart of Vermont, the Green Mountains create an Appalachian landscape where forested peaks rise above working farms, river valleys, covered bridges, and small mountain communities.
This is a region where outdoor adventure and everyday life remain closely connected to the land. The historic Long Trail follows the mountains from Massachusetts to the Canadian border, while the Appalachian Trail shares its path through southern Vermont before turning east toward New Hampshire.
From the summit of Mount Mansfield and the forests surrounding Camel’s Hump to mountain villages, maple sugarhouses, ski towns, and generations-old farms, Vermont offers a distinctly northern Appalachian experience—one shaped as much by community and tradition as by the mountains themselves.
Top Outdoor Adventures
The Long Trail
Stretching 272 miles from the Massachusetts border to Canada, Vermont’s Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States.
Built and maintained by the Green Mountain Club, the trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains and crosses many of Vermont’s highest peaks. Nearly 100 miles of the southern Long Trail are shared with the Appalachian Trail before the two routes separate near Killington.
Whether attempting an end-to-end journey or exploring a shorter section, hikers experience dense forests, mountain ponds, rocky summits, shelters, and some of the landscapes that helped inspire America’s long-distance hiking tradition.
Vermont Tourism – The Long Trail
Appalachian Trail in Vermont
Approximately 151 miles of the Appalachian Trail pass through Vermont.
The trail enters from Massachusetts and follows the Long Trail north through the Green Mountains for roughly 100 miles. Near Killington, the Appalachian Trail turns east toward the Connecticut River and New Hampshire while the Long Trail continues north toward Canada.
Vermont also holds a special place in Appalachian Trail history. Benton MacKaye, who conceived the idea for the A.T., drew inspiration from Vermont’s Long Trail and the landscape surrounding Stratton Mountain.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy – Vermont
Mount Mansfield
At 4,393 feet, Mount Mansfield is Vermont’s highest mountain and one of the defining landmarks of the Green Mountains.
Its distinctive ridgeline resembles the profile of a human face when viewed from the east, with features traditionally known as the Forehead, Nose, Lips, Chin, and Adam’s Apple.
Hiking trails lead into the mountain’s alpine environment, while seasonal options provide other ways to experience the high country and expansive views across Vermont.
Vermont Tourism – Mount Mansfield
Smugglers’ Notch State Park
Carved between Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, Smugglers’ Notch is a narrow mountain pass surrounded by dramatic cliffs rising roughly 1,000 feet above the roadway.
The area offers hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, access to Sterling Pond and connections with the Long Trail.
Its unusual name reflects a colorful history. During periods when trade with Canada was restricted, the remote mountain passage provided a route for moving goods between northern Vermont and Canada.
Vermont State Parks – Smugglers’ Notch State Park
Camel’s Hump
With its unmistakable silhouette rising above central Vermont, Camel’s Hump is one of the state’s most recognizable mountains.
Standing just over 4,000 feet, the mountain—known as Tawabodiiwajo in Abenaki—offers sweeping views from its summit and preserves an important area of alpine habitat.
The Long Trail crosses the mountain, making it one of the signature hiking destinations along Vermont’s Appalachian spine.
Vermont Tourism – Hiking in Vermont
Historic & Cultural Sites
Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site
The rural village of Plymouth Notch preserves the birthplace and childhood home of Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States.
Coolidge was sworn in as president here in the early morning hours of August 3, 1923, following news of President Warren G. Harding’s death. His father, a notary public, administered the oath by lamplight inside the family home.
Today, the historic village provides an unusually intact glimpse into rural Vermont life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site
Billings Farm & Museum
Located in Woodstock, Billings Farm & Museum explores Vermont’s agricultural traditions through a working dairy farm, historic farm buildings, exhibits, demonstrations, and educational programs.
The property provides visitors with an opportunity to understand the farming practices, rural traditions, and relationships with the land that have helped shape Vermont’s cultural landscape.
Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
Located in Stowe, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum preserves the history of winter sports that have become inseparable from the identity and economy of Vermont’s mountain communities.
Its collections document generations of skiers, snowboarders, equipment makers, resorts, competitors, and pioneers who helped establish Vermont as one of America’s iconic winter destinations.
Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
Unique Stays & Lodging
Trapp Family Lodge
Set on a sprawling mountainside property above Stowe, Trapp Family Lodge combines Vermont’s Green Mountain landscape with the Austrian heritage of the von Trapp family made famous by The Sound of Music.
After leaving Austria, the family eventually settled in Vermont, where the surrounding mountains reminded them of their homeland. They purchased their Stowe farm in 1942 and later began welcoming guests.
Today, the property offers lodging, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, dining, and expansive views across the surrounding mountains.
The Pitcher Inn
Located in the small village of Warren near the Mad River and Green Mountains, The Pitcher Inn combines luxury lodging with the character of rural Vermont.
Its individually designed rooms draw inspiration from Vermont history and culture, creating a distinctive base for exploring the Mad River Valley and surrounding mountain landscape.
Local Eats & Markets
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
Located in Waterbury Center, Cold Hollow Cider Mill has become a well-known stop for travelers exploring central Vermont.
Visitors can watch cider being made, browse Vermont-made products, sample local specialties, and experience one of New England’s classic autumn traditions—fresh apple cider paired with a cider doughnut.
Stowe Farmers Market
The Stowe Farmers Market brings together Vermont farmers, food producers, artisans, prepared-food vendors, and musicians against the backdrop of the Green Mountains.
Held seasonally along Mountain Road, the market provides travelers with a direct connection to the farms, makers, and small businesses that remain an important part of Vermont community life.
Vermont Maple Sugarhouses
Maple sugaring is deeply woven into Vermont’s agricultural traditions.
Each spring, sugar makers across the state collect sap from maple trees and transform it into syrup, maple sugar, candy, cream, and other specialties. Many family-run sugarhouses welcome visitors during the sugaring season, particularly around Vermont’s annual Maple Open House celebrations.
Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association
Festivals & Events
Vermont Maple Festival
Held annually in St. Albans, the Vermont Maple Festival celebrates one of the state’s most recognizable agricultural traditions.
The multi-day event typically brings together maple producers, food, demonstrations, entertainment, contests, exhibits, crafts, and family activities celebrating Vermont’s maple heritage.
Stowe Foliage Arts Festival
Autumn color provides the backdrop for this annual arts festival in Stowe, where artists and craftspeople gather to showcase fine art and handmade work.
The event combines Vermont’s creative traditions with one of the most spectacular seasons for visiting the Green Mountains.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Summer provides excellent hiking, cycling, paddling, and outdoor recreation. Late September through October brings Vermont’s famous fall foliage, while winter offers skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other mountain activities.
- Remember Mud Season: Spring snowmelt can leave mountain trails extremely wet and vulnerable to damage. Hikers are encouraged to avoid high-elevation trails during mud season and wait for trails to dry before heading into the mountains.
- Getting Around: A personal vehicle is recommended for exploring the Green Mountains and Vermont’s smaller communities. Scenic state highways and back roads are part of the experience, but travel times can be longer than distances suggest.
- Explore the Villages: Some of Vermont’s most memorable experiences aren’t major attractions. Make time for small downtowns, country stores, farm stands, covered bridges, local bakeries, and community markets along the way.
- Prepare for Mountain Weather: Conditions can change rapidly at higher elevations. Hikers should carry appropriate clothing, navigation tools, food, water, and emergency supplies.
- Respect Working Landscapes: Much of Vermont’s character comes from working farms, forests, and privately owned land. Observe posted signs, remain on designated trails, and respect private property.
- Check Current Conditions: Trail access, mountain roads, seasonal attractions, lodging, and events can change throughout the year. Check official sources before traveling.
Useful Links
- Vermont Vacation – Official Tourism Site
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy – Vermont
- Green Mountain Club
- Vermont State Parks
- Green Mountain National Forest – U.S. Forest Service
- Vermont Trail Finder
Follow Vermont’s Appalachian spine through a landscape where mountains and communities have grown together for generations. From the historic Long Trail and forested summits of the Green Mountains to maple sugarhouses, working farms, mountain villages, and winter traditions, Vermont offers a quieter expression of Appalachia—one rooted deeply in the relationship between people and place.