Are these turn-by-turn itineraries?

No. They are trip-planning outlines. Confirm named access points, distances, route difficulty, and current conditions before using them to organize a walk.

When should a foliage-focused visit take place?

Fall is the relevant season for inland New England foliage. Check local reports when choosing travel dates; no specific peak window is established here.

Can camping or overnight facilities be assumed?

No. Confirm overnight locations, applicable rules, and availability with the managing agency before planning a multiday walk.

Is Brattleboro a confirmed Long Trail access point?

No Long Trail access is established here for Brattleboro. Do not use the town as a trailhead without separately verifying the route and transportation arrangements.

What needs checking before departure?

Verify the exact route, access, walking distance, conditions, weather, water needs, and any overnight arrangements. Confirm permit and booking requirements directly with the managing agency.

Long Trail (Vermont)

The 273-mile north–south spine of Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada — America's oldest long trail.

Plan a trip to Long Trail (Vermont)

Where on earth

Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Long Trail (Vermont), Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.

Region: Vermont, USA
Country: Worldwide
Biome: Northern hardwood forest (300–1,340 m)
Best season: June – October
Difficulty: moderate

Known for

Backpacking
Hiking
Wildlife Viewing

Key takeaways

Biome: Northern hardwood forest (300–1,340 m)
Best season: June – October
Difficulty: moderate
Top activity: backpacking

Loading live weather & climate for Long Trail (Vermont)…

Photos of Long Trail (Vermont)

Topic summary

The 273-mile north–south spine of Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada — America's oldest long trail.

Key takeaways

Difficulty: moderate
Best season: June – October

Intended uses

backpacking

Climate suitability

Northern hardwood forest (300–1,340 m)

Region

Worldwide

Biome

Northern hardwood forest (300–1,340 m)

Difficulty

moderate

Tools for a trip here

Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.

backpacking

Plan with verified data

Long Trail (Vermont) trip tools

Month by month Weather & climate Itineraries Wildlife Photos Plan a trip here

How to get there

Long Trail (Vermont) is in Vermont, USA, Worldwide. Its center point is 43.9000, -73.0000. 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.

Driving directions ↗Open on a map ↗Plan the drive in the Trip Planner

Popular pursuits at Long Trail (Vermont)

Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.

Animals around Long Trail (Vermont)

Browse all wildlife guides →

Maps, GPS & compass for this trip

Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.

Waterproof topo maps

GPS picks

See all 10 handheld GPS picks →

Compass picks

See all 10 compass picks →

Fishing at Long Trail (Vermont)

Planning to fish Long Trail (Vermont)? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Vermont are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.

Do I need a fishing license at Long Trail (Vermont)?

A Vermont fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
Read the current Vermont fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife — official Vermont licenses & regulations

The Fishing Guide — species, best times & gear Wild10 fishing guides, knots & lure planner

Hunting near Long Trail (Vermont)

Thinking about hunting Long Trail (Vermont)? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Vermont are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.

Is hunting allowed at Long Trail (Vermont)?

Confirm the land around Long Trail (Vermont) is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.

What do I need to hunt in Vermont?

A Vermont hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife — official Vermont licenses & regulations

The Hunting Guide — gear, permits & seasons Wild10 hunting guides & season calendars Best deer hunting broadheads Deer archery season gear list

Regional setting

The Long Trail is a Vermont destination, so the useful regional context is inland New England rather than the Atlantic coast. Inland travel centers on mountain landscapes, smaller communities, and fall foliage, while much of New England’s population and tourism infrastructure lies along the coast. That distinction matters when organizing an outdoor trip: a regional gateway is not necessarily a convenient trail access point, and general visitor information does not establish hiking logistics. Build the itinerary around verified trail access rather than around a broad New England sightseeing route. Exact trail alignment, walking distances, elevation changes, and connections to nearby communities need to be established before choosing a starting point or committing to an overnight plan.

Brattleboro as regional context

Brattleboro sits in southeastern Vermont, about 10 miles north of the Massachusetts state line, at the meeting of the West River and Connecticut River. The Connecticut River also forms Vermont’s eastern border with New Hampshire. The town has historically served as a gateway through river trade and later road and rail infrastructure, and it remains an economic hub for surrounding rural communities and Vermont tourism. Those facts make it useful geographic context, but they do not establish Brattleboro as a Long Trail trailhead or a direct transport connection. Treat a town stop and a trail approach as separate planning tasks. Confirm the actual access location and onward transportation before using Brattleboro as the starting base for a hiking itinerary.

Season and trip preparation

New England has four distinct seasons, and inland mountain travel calls for plans that match the weather rather than a fixed sightseeing calendar. Fall foliage is a regional attraction, but scenery alone is not enough to choose hiking dates. Check current conditions, carry layers and weather protection suited to the forecast, and allow flexibility if conditions change. Some inland destinations support year-round recreation; that does not establish year-round access or suitable hiking conditions on a particular trail. Before departure, verify the intended route, access arrangements, overnight options, and any applicable requirements with the responsible land manager. Keep walking plans provisional until those details are clear, and avoid assuming that regional tourism services provide trail transport or backcountry support.

Sample itineraries

Single-day walking plan · 1 day
Plan one Long Trail outing after confirming an access point, route length, and current conditions with the managing agency. Keep the return flexible. This is a planning outline, not a verified route itinerary.
Two-day walking plan · 2 days
Arrange lodging and choose a separate walk for each day once access and route details are confirmed. Do not assume overnight trail facilities or camping availability. Keep both walks within the group's ability and the available daylight.

Seasonal conditions

Spring

Spring; confirm local conditions before departure

New England has four distinct seasons. Let current weather and trail conditions determine footwear, layers, and route choice rather than assuming a spring outing will be warm or dry.

Summer

Summer; choose dates after checking conditions

For inland outdoor travel, carry drinking water and check the forecast before setting out. Summer alone does not establish whether a particular Long Trail access point or service is available.

Fall

Fall; foliage timing is not specified

Fall foliage is a feature of inland New England. Plan walking time around available daylight and carry layers suitable for the day's forecast. Confirm local conditions rather than scheduling around an assumed foliage peak.

Winter

Winter; assess conditions before committing

Treat winter as a separate planning problem, not a summer itinerary with extra clothing. Confirm trail suitability, access, weather, and equipment needs before choosing an outing.

Season	Window	Conditions
Spring	Spring; confirm local conditions before departure	New England has four distinct seasons. Let current weather and trail conditions determine footwear, layers, and route choice rather than assuming a spring outing will be warm or dry.
Summer	Summer; choose dates after checking conditions	For inland outdoor travel, carry drinking water and check the forecast before setting out. Summer alone does not establish whether a particular Long Trail access point or service is available.
Fall	Fall; foliage timing is not specified	Fall foliage is a feature of inland New England. Plan walking time around available daylight and carry layers suitable for the day's forecast. Confirm local conditions rather than scheduling around an assumed foliage peak.
Winter	Winter; assess conditions before committing	Treat winter as a separate planning problem, not a summer itinerary with extra clothing. Confirm trail suitability, access, weather, and equipment needs before choosing an outing.

Permits, fees & closures

Confirm permit requirements, overnight rules, and any booking requirements with the managing agency before departure.

Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.

Hazards & regulations

Weather exposure: inland New England includes mountain terrain; choose clothing and turnaround decisions according to the forecast.
Insufficient drinking water: carry enough for the planned outing rather than assuming water will be available.
Seasonal mismatch: a route or equipment choice suitable for one season may be unsuitable in another.

What to pack for Long Trail (Vermont)

Navigation and planning

Current route map
Confirmed access information
Written outing plan and return arrangements

Weather protection

Layers matched to the forecast
Rain protection
Footwear selected for confirmed trail conditions

Day-out essentials

Drinking water
Food
First-aid supplies
Headlamp

Build this list in the gear builder →

Long Trail (Vermont) FAQ

Are these turn-by-turn itineraries?: No. They are trip-planning outlines. Confirm named access points, distances, route difficulty, and current conditions before using them to organize a walk.
When should a foliage-focused visit take place?: Fall is the relevant season for inland New England foliage. Check local reports when choosing travel dates; no specific peak window is established here.
Can camping or overnight facilities be assumed?: No. Confirm overnight locations, applicable rules, and availability with the managing agency before planning a multiday walk.
Is Brattleboro a confirmed Long Trail access point?: No Long Trail access is established here for Brattleboro. Do not use the town as a trailhead without separately verifying the route and transportation arrangements.
What needs checking before departure?: Verify the exact route, access, walking distance, conditions, weather, water needs, and any overnight arrangements. Confirm permit and booking requirements directly with the managing agency.