Cavendish VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Cavendish, Vermont.
1. Mount Ascutney via Weathersfield Trail
STUNNING SUMMIT WITH FALLS
Mount Ascutney via Weathersfield Trail is a challenging 5.2-mile hike with 2,326 feet of elevation gain that passes by the gorgeous Cascade Falls. The trail offers a great spot to eat lunch at the summit with views from the hang glider landing area. Hikers can enjoy beautiful vistas from the top of Mount Ascutney, making it a rewarding trek despite the difficulty.
2. The Pogue and Mount Tom Trail
SCENIC LAKE LOOP
The Pogue and Mount Tom Trail is a moderate 8-mile loop trail that takes hikers by a picturesque lake near Woodstock. The trail features approximately 751 feet of elevation gain, making it accessible for most skill levels. Hikers can enjoy diverse forest scenery and lake views throughout this well-maintained path.
3. White Rocks Ice Beds Trail
COOL NATURAL PHENOMENON
The White Rocks Ice Beds Trail is a short 1.6-mile round trip hike in the Green Mountain National Forest with just 180 feet of elevation gain. This blue-blazed trail starts from the Ice Beds parking lot and leads to a fascinating natural phenomenon. Hikers should be careful to follow the correct trailhead signs, as a nearby path leads to cliffs rather than the ice beds.
4. Quechee Gorge Trails
VERMONT'S LITTLE GRAND CANYON
Quechee Gorge Trails offer spectacular views of Vermont's most famous gorge, with a 165-foot deep ravine carved by the Ottauquechee River. The trails provide easy to moderate hiking options with incredible vistas from the steel bridge that passes over the gorge. Visitors can combine hiking with camping at the adjacent Quechee State Park for a complete outdoor experience.
5. Hardy Hill Trails
CONSERVATION LAND ADVENTURE
Hardy Hill Trails cover approximately 215 acres of conservation land adjacent to Lord State Forest in Cavendish. These trails offer hikers a chance to explore permanently conserved land that is being donated to the State of Vermont. Visitors can experience diverse woodland ecosystems while supporting local conservation efforts.
6. Proctor Piper State Forest
UNDEVELOPED WOODLAND EXPLORATION
Proctor Piper State Forest encompasses over 1,500 acres of mostly undeveloped woodland offering pristine hiking opportunities in the Cavendish area. The forest provides hiking, picnicking, and seasonal hunting across its extensive natural landscape. Visitors can access the state forest via Forestry Road after turning onto Pratt Hill Road from Depot Street in the Village of Proctorsville.
7. Knapp Pond Wildlife Management Area
DIVERSE WILDLIFE HABITATS
Knapp Pond Wildlife Management Area is a 1,272-acre parcel featuring unique wildlife habitats including vernal pools, seeps, beaver flowages, and two stocked fishing ponds. Hiking trails wind through diverse ecosystems and around the ponds, which were created by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department in the late 1950s. Visitors can combine hiking with fishing, kayaking, or winter activities like ice skating in this versatile outdoor destination.
8. Hawk Mountain Wildlife Management Area
WILDLIFE VIEWING PARADISE
Hawk Mountain Wildlife Management Area offers hikers the opportunity to view black bears and white-tailed deer in their natural habitat near Cavendish. The area features hiking paths through diverse ecosystems within southern Vermont's picturesque landscape. Located just a few miles from covered bridges and fishing ponds, this wildlife area combines hiking with excellent nature observation opportunities.
9. Tuckerman Ravine Trail
FAMOUS ALPINE EXPERIENCE
Tuckerman Ravine Trail is a legendary hiking path known for its challenging terrain and popularity among experienced hikers and backcountry skiers. The trail climbs steeply up the famous glacial cirque on the eastern slope of Mount Washington, offering spectacular alpine views. Hikers should be well-prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and the physically demanding nature of this iconic New England trail.
10. Mount Willard Trail
REWARDING VIEWS FOR EFFORT
Mount Willard Trail offers one of the best view-to-effort ratios in the White Mountains, with a relatively short climb leading to spectacular panoramic vistas. The moderate trail climbs steadily through mixed forest before opening to a dramatic clifftop overlook of Crawford Notch. Hikers of various ability levels can enjoy this trail year-round, though winter hikers should come prepared with appropriate gear.