- Region
- Vermont, USA
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm current Long Trail permit requirem…
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Photos of The Long Trail
How to get there
The Long Trail is in Vermont, USA. Its center point is 43.9000, -72.8500. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Vermont, USA · Season: Best: mid Jun – Sep
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Hiking
- Backpacking
The country
The Long Trail follows the spine of the Green Mountains for 273 miles. It is the country's original long trail — the Green Mountain Club began cutting it in 1910, more than a decade before the Appalachian Trail existed. The southern third overlaps with the AT; the northern miles run rougher, wetter, and lonelier, ending at the Canadian border in a spruce-fir tunnel.
Why enthusiasts come
You get a real long trail without western-scale logistics. Water is everywhere, resupply towns are 3–5 days apart, and the shelter system means you can travel light. Mud and roots are the crux, not altitude.
Top experiences
Camel's Hump summit above tree line, the Presidential-style traverse over Mt. Mansfield's ridge, the granite ledges of Mt. Abraham, and the classic Jay Peak final push. Weekend backpackers usually pick the Mansfield-to-Smugglers or Killington-to-Sherburne segments.
Planner-relevant notes
Northern LT is famous for hip-deep mud in June — plan for it or wait until July. Shelters are first-come; carry a tarp for backup. The Green Mountain Club sells the essential Long Trail Guide and end-to-ender packet with permit and shelter info.
Field notes
- Black flies peak late May–mid Jun; head net + DEET are not optional.
- Above tree line is fragile alpine tundra — stay on rock, never soil.
- Water is plentiful but tannic; a squeeze filter beats a pump on this trail.
- Snow can hit Mansfield by early Oct; check the GMC weather thread before shoulder trips.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to The Long Trail, Vermont, USA. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 43.9000, -72.8500
- Latitude (DMS)
- 43° 53′ 60.0″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 72° 50′ 60.0″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for The Long Trail, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
America's oldest long-distance trail — 273 miles of Green Mountain spine from Massachusetts to Canada.
Key takeaways
- Region: Vermont, USA
- Best season: Best: mid Jun – Sep
- Coordinates: 43.900, -72.850
Climate suitability
Best: mid Jun – Sep
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at The Long Trail
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Animals around The Long Trail
Wildlife guideBlack bearUrsus americanus
Big gameWhitetail DeerOdocoileus virginianus
GamefishBrook TroutSalvelinus fontinalis
Wildlife guideNorth American beaverCastor canadensis
Big gameBlack BearUrsus americanus
GamefishSmallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu
Wildlife guideSnowshoe hareLepus americanus
Big gameWild HogSus scrofa
Vermont setting
Planning a Long Trail trip starts with understanding Vermont’s inland mountain setting. The state lies in New England, between Massachusetts to the south and Quebec to the north, with New York to the west and New Hampshire to the east. The Green Mountains run north–south through the middle of Vermont, separating Lake Champlain and western valley terrain from the Connecticut River Valley to the east. Much of the state is forested with hardwoods and conifers. That geography provides useful regional context, but it is not a substitute for a trail map. Before choosing a walking itinerary, establish the exact route, legal entry points, and transportation arrangements rather than treating nearby valleys or state borders as trail access.
Weather and seasonal preparation
Vermont has warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, making season a central planning decision. For summer walking, account for humidity when setting a pace and choosing how much water to carry. Cold and snow call for a different level of clothing, equipment, and experience; a winter outing should not be planned as a summer walk with an extra layer. New England has four distinct seasons, and its inland landscapes are known for fall foliage. Seasonal appeal alone does not establish suitable trail conditions, however. Check the forecast and current conditions for the specific section before departure. Pack protection appropriate to the expected weather, and leave room in the itinerary to shorten or change the outing.
Build a trail-specific plan
Keep regional travel planning separate from the details needed to walk the Long Trail. Vermont’s mountain spine and extensive forests explain the broad setting, but a workable hiking plan also needs verified trailheads, section lengths, route descriptions, and overnight arrangements. Confirm those details before committing to transport or lodging. For a point-to-point itinerary, settle how the finish connects with the starting point; for a shorter outing, establish a clear turnaround plan. Do not assume that a named town or mountain offers parking or a legal trail entrance. Confirm any permit or access requirements with the managing agency. Choose daily objectives only after checking actual distances and terrain, and carry navigation that covers the intended route and the return.
Sample itineraries
- Long Trail day-hike planning option · 1 day
Plan a single-day outing in Vermont’s forested mountain landscape. Confirm a suitable Long Trail access point and route with the managing agency before departure. Choose a turnaround time that leaves room for breaks and changing conditions.
- Two-day hiking base stay · 2 days
Use a confirmed lodging base for two separate Long Trail day hikes rather than assuming overnight trail facilities are available. Confirm access and route details before choosing each outing. Adjust the second day to weather and the group’s energy.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Vermont’s cold, snowy winters make current conditions important when planning spring mountain travel. Confirm the condition of the intended route rather than assuming warmer weather means summer footing.
Summer
Summer
Vermont summers are warm and humid. Carry drinking water, allow frequent breaks, and choose a pace that accounts for heat as well as mountain terrain.
Fall
Fall
Inland New England is known for fall foliage. Vermont’s hardwood and conifer forests provide the setting; check current weather and carry layers rather than planning around an assumed foliage peak.
Winter
Winter
Vermont winters are cold and snowy. Plan conservatively, carry insulation, and confirm route conditions before deciding whether a mountain outing matches the group’s equipment and experience.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Vermont’s cold, snowy winters make current conditions important when planning spring mountain travel. Confirm the condition of the intended route rather than assuming warmer weather means summer footing. |
| Summer | Summer | Vermont summers are warm and humid. Carry drinking water, allow frequent breaks, and choose a pace that accounts for heat as well as mountain terrain. |
| Fall | Fall | Inland New England is known for fall foliage. Vermont’s hardwood and conifer forests provide the setting; check current weather and carry layers rather than planning around an assumed foliage peak. |
| Winter | Winter | Vermont winters are cold and snowy. Plan conservatively, carry insulation, and confirm route conditions before deciding whether a mountain outing matches the group’s equipment and experience. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current Long Trail permit requirements and overnight-use rules with the managing agency before making plans.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Warm, humid summer weather can increase heat stress. Moderate effort and carry drinking water.
- Cold winter conditions demand adequate insulation and a conservative turnaround plan.
- Snow can make mountain travel more demanding. Confirm conditions and match the outing to the group’s experience.
What to pack for The Long Trail
- Current trail map
- Offline navigation
- Confirmed access and route information
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Rain protection
- Extra insulation for cold conditions
- Drinking water
- Food
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp
The Long Trail FAQ
- What landscape should shape trip planning?
- Vermont’s geography is dominated by the north–south Green Mountains. Much of the state is forested with hardwoods and conifers. Plan for a forested mountain setting, while confirming the terrain of the specific Long Trail section selected.
- Which access point should a first visit use?
- Confirm an access point and suitable route with the managing agency. Choose based on current conditions, available daylight, transportation, and the group’s hiking ability.
- How should summer weather affect the plan?
- Expect Vermont’s generally warm, humid summer climate. Carry drinking water, leave time for breaks, and reduce the planned effort when heat makes travel harder.
- Can an overnight hike be planned without checking rules?
- Confirm overnight-use rules, permitted locations, and any reservation requirements before committing to an overnight itinerary. Do not assume a campsite or shelter will be available.
- Is winter a casual hiking season?
- Vermont’s cold, snowy winters call for more preparation than a warm-weather outing. Check route conditions and choose a trip that fits the group’s cold-weather skills and equipment.