Celebrate Long Trail Day on September 20!
Show your love and support for the trails by making a gift to Long Trail Day and join us for a guided group hike, a volunteer trail work day, or post-hike celebration on Saturday, September 20.
See the list (and map) below to find hikes and celebrations around Vermont hosted by GMC staff and volunteers.
Can’t hike as part of Long Trail Day this year? You can make a gift to help reach our $80,000 fundraising goal – our most ambitious Long Trail Day goal yet! No matter how much you’re able to give, Long Trail Day is for everyone, and we hope you join us. See you on the trails!
GMC Staff – Stowe Area
Trail Magic at Barnes Camp - Stop by the Barnes Camp Visitor Center, located at the base of Smugglers’ Notch in Stowe, for trail magic and hiking info from GMC staff and volunteers. Enjoy snacks and drinks from our event donors, including Cabot and Unreal Snacks, before heading out on a guided hike with GMC staff or exploring the Barnes Camp boardwalk, a hike on one of the many trails in the Mount Mansfield area, or enjoying a fall foliage drive through Smugglers’ Notch on Vermont 108.
Guided Hike to Sterling Pond - GMC Deputy Director Alicia DiCocco will lead a guided hike to Sterling Pond, starting at 2 p.m. Moderate, 2.4 miles round trip, approx. 930′ elevation gain. No drop, family-friendly. Participants are then invited to join Alicia and other GMC staff for a post-hike celebration at American Flatbread in Stowe (see more info below).
Benefit Bake at American Flatbread - Celebrate Long Trail Day with a Benefit Bake at American Flatbread in Stowe. Grab a pre or post-hike bite from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. A portion of every eat-in and to-go order ($3.50 per large, $1.75 per small) will go toward Long Trail Day. Thank you, American Flatbread, for supporting the Green Mountain Club’s work and celebrating the trails with us as a Long Trail Day event partner!
Bread Loaf Section
Sunset Ledge, out-and-back - Beginning in the early afternoon, this easy to moderate out-and-back hike starts from Lincoln Gap and heads south on the Long Trail to reach open ledges with views west to Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Easy to moderate and family friendly, 2.2 miles round trip with 400’ elevation gain. Contact Beth Eliason at betheliason@gmail.com for more information.
Bread Loaf Mountain, point-to-point - Starting from the Emily Proctor Trail, the group will hike up to the Long Trail, summit Bread Loaf Mountain and continuing south to the Skylight Pond trail. Challenging, approx. 8 miles with 2,000’ elevation gain. Leashed dog friendly. Contact Ellen Cronan for more information, 908-595-2926.
Worth Mountain, out-and-back - Hike to Worth Mountain starting from Middlebury Gap, and gain views of Lake Pleiad. Moderate, 4 miles round trip with 1000’ elevation change. Contact Ken Corey at (802) 349-3733 or kencorey53@gmail.com to register.
Post-hike event at Woodchuck Hard Cider - Join the Bread Loaf Section at Woodchuck Hard Cider for a post-hike Long Trail Day celebration in Middlebury from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Burlington Section
The Burlington Section will host two tables with trail magic and information about the Green Mountain Club and local hikes in Underhill State Park, with one at the base of the Sunset Ridge Trail and the other at the Stevensville parking area.
Manchester Section
Stratton Mountain, out-and-back - Hike up Stratton Mountain via the Long Trail north, and return on the same route. Moderate, 7.6 miles round trip with 1710’ elevation gain. Contact Marge Fish at marge.fish@gmail.com or 802-384-3654 by 9/18 noon to RSVP.
Tabling at the Route 11/30 Trailhead - The Manchester Section will be tabling the Long Trail trailhead and parking lot on Route 11/30, offering information about the Green Mountain Club and local hikes.
Montpelier Section
Bamforth Ridge, out-and-back - Starting at the Long Trail trailhead on River Road in Duxbury, join a moderate hike to Duxbury Wiindow. Those who want to hike further can go another mile, just past the turnoff for the Bamforth Ridge shelter, to a small beaver pond off the Long Trail. 3.2 mi round trip with approx. 800′ elevation gain to Duxbury Window, additional mileage and elevation gain for optional extension. Contact Steve or Heather Bailey at stevecbailey@gmail.com for further details.
Northeast Kingdom Section
Hazen’s Notch to Frank Post, point-to-point - Hike from Hazen’s Notch (Rte 58) on the Long Trail south to the Frank Post Trail and Trailhead. Strenuous, 6.6 miles, approx. 1500 ft elevation gain.
Northern Frontier Section
The Northern Frontier Section will host a table with trail magic and information about the Green Mountain Club and local hikes at Jay Pass from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sterling Section
Volunteer Trail Work Day near Morrisville - Join the Sterling Section for a volunteer work day on the trails! Spend the day learning about the work that goes into caring for the trails and giving back by performing routine trail maintenance near Beaver Meadow Lodge. Help cut back vegetation in the trail corridor and use hand tools to dig out a level tread surface. No previous trail work experience necessary!
Meet at 9 a.m. at the Beaver Meadow trailhead in Morrisville. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, bring plenty of snacks and water, and by the end of the day expect to be muddy, tired, and filled with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment at a job well done! Contact sterlingsection@greenmountainclub.org for more information or to RSVP.
Upper Valley Ottauquechee Section
Vermont Appalachian Trail in Pomfret, point-to-point - Hike on the Vermont Appalachian Trail in Pomfret, VT from Cloudland Road to Stage Road, enjoying views from DuPuis Hill (1730 feet elevation). Moderate, 4 miles point to point. Contact hike leader Debbie Marcus, 978-578-4198, debbie.marcus57@gmail.com to RSVP and for questions.