Ahh, springtime in Vermont! The snow is melting, temperatures are warming up, the sun is shining more days than not, and Vermonters want to be outside! As a life-long Vermonter, Springtime means transitioning from riding my snowboard down mountains to climbing up them with my trusty hiking boots! In this blog, I will give you some tips on hiking in Vermont, and I will also share some of my favorite hiking routes across the state!

Mud Season

For those of you unfamiliar with Vermont's wacky weather patterns, you may be surprised to know that we have five seasons in our state. This yearly phenomenon is known in VT as our beloved mud season! Mud season starts as the ground begins to thaw and water is released up through the soil. If you choose to hike during mud season you will want to be prepared before you head out. Many trails, especially those in the state forests are closed during mud season to preserve the trails and vegetation. It's a huge bummer getting to a hiking spot only to find out it’s closed for mud season! If you find a trail that is open during mud season, be sure to stay on the trail 

Get the App!

Before I hop in the car to head out for a hike, I use the AllTrails app to find out whether the trail I want to go on is open. There are many other apps out there for hiking, but AllTrails works great in Vermont and is my favorite. The AllTrails app might even be my favorite app on my phone! The easy-to-use app allows you to search for trails, track your progress, write reviews, and so much more. I highly recommend getting this app before any hiking you choose to do. It’s also a lot of fun to take photos and leave reviews of the hikes you’ve done to look back on. 

Wear Layers

My last suggestion for hiking in Vermont is to make sure you bring layers. If you are anything like me, you get hot while traversing up the mountain, and then cool off once you reach the summit! Make sure to bring a light fleece or hat to put on while at the summit so you can enjoy the view for as long as you wish! One clothing company I recommend for layers is 32 Degree Heat. They have base layers for both hot and cold weather and are extremely affordable! 

Now that you are ready to go hiking, see the list below for some of my favorite hikes in Vermont! 

My Favorite Hikes In VT!

1. Sterling Pond, Smugglers Notch State Park

1. 2.3 Miles, Out and Back, 908 FT Elevation Gain*

1. Mount Pisgah, Willoughby State Forest

1. 4.1 Miles, Out and Back, 1653 FT Elevation Gain*

1. Spruce Mountain, Plainfield, Vermont

1. 4.3 Miles, Out and Back, 1158 Elevation Gain*

*Stats provided by AllTrails App