Long Trail Day Hike-a-Thon

Download a PDF copy of the Peer-to-Peer Registration Guide to get started!

The Long Trail Day Hike-a-Thon is a peer-to-peer fundraiser, which means you raise money from your family and friends to support your hiking effort. There are many ways to do this, and here are a few of our tried-and-true tips! 

Customize your personal fundraising page. Tell your friends and family why you love to hike and why you are supporting the Green Mountain Club in this fundraiser.  

Self-donate: Hikers who make a self-donation fundraise twice the amount of a hiker who does not donate. Set an example for your team and make that self-donation! 

Social media: Post your personal fundraising page link on your Facebook, Instagram, or other social media accounts to reach a broad network of potential supporters. Share your connection to the cause, and add a photo – it helps your post get seen. Use the hashtags #longtrailday or tag @greenmountainclub in the post, and we would love to reshare it! 

Just ask: You neighbors, carpool partners, Facebook friends, and hiking buddies are all potential supporters…the key is just to ask! By talking about your love of hiking and how important it is to care for trails, many folks are inspired to give. 

Connect with us for help! Having trouble coming up with a plan? Contact one of us and we can help you determine how to share your story to inspire support of the Long Trail. 

The Long Trail Day Hike-A-Thon is a choose-your-own adventure. You can set a mileage goal that is challenging to you, or simply get outside to enjoy some of your favorite trails. Some hiking suggestions are below.  

If you want to enjoy good views: 

• Long Trail North from Barnes Camp to Sterling Pond, with a detour to Elephant’s Head Cliff: 4.6 mi. Each way; 1,500 ft. Elev. Gain. - The 0.1 mi spur to the Elephant’s Head Cliff overlook affords stunning views of Smugglers’ Notch. There are many possible variations of this hike, including making a loop using the Sterling Pond Trail.  

• Belvidere Mountain Firetower via the Long Trail: 5.6 mi round trip, approx. 2,223 ft elevation gain – start at the Long Trail parking lot on VT 118 in Eden. The firetower on the summit offers views all around northern Vermont and Canada. As a bonus, you might see GMC’s Long Trail Patrol crew working on a relocation of this portion of the trail to be a more sustainable layout. 

• Bromley Mountain via Long Trail North, 6.0 mi round trip, approx. 1,460 ft elevation gain: the summit, with its newly opened observation tower and grassy, open ski trails gives views from all angles.  

If you want a family- or mobility-friendly hike: 

• Long Trail to Little Rock Pond, 4.0 mi round trip; 324 ft elevation gain - This easy section of the Long Trail gradually rises to Little Rock Pond. The pond is a great spot to swim, look for salamanders, and eat lunch.  

• Camel’s Hump View Trail, 0.8 mi, Universally Accessible. With easy grades and a wide path makes this trail a pleasant loop. There are several benches along the way and very nice vistas of Camel’s Hump. It is not ADA-accessible. 

• Barnes Camp Boardwalk: Spend the day with us at Barnes Camp, which offers options for the whole family. The 660-foot boardwalk is ADA-compliant and wheelchair accessible. Families can add on the rest of the Barnes Camp Loop, 1.5 miles of fun features including a mild stream crossing, stairs, a picnic area, and wetlands. 

GMC Sections will be leading group hikes all over the state, so stay tuned for details to join one of those. Staff will also be at Barnes Camp offering free snacks and drinks from our partners. 

If you can't join the September 20 festivities, you can celebrate with your own hike -- and we can help you plan it. Visit our website or visitor center on Route 100 in Waterbury Center for hiking recommendations and the information you need to plan your Long Trail Day hike.  

Every registered participant will receive a link to download digital Long Trail map. You may also be interested in purchasing the classic Long Trail Guide or paper Long Trail map for even more information on the trail.