Chelsea VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Chelsea, Vermont.
1. Warren Falls
POPULAR SWIMMING HOLE
Warren Falls is a popular local swimming hole just outside of Warren, VT on Route 100. The trail is a short 0.25-mile hike, making it an easy adventure for hikers of all skill levels. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful waterfalls and swimming areas surrounded by natural rock formations.
2. Texas Falls Recreation Area
SCENIC WATERFALL VIEWS
Texas Falls Recreation Area offers a scenic 1-mile hiking trail with a modest 209 ft elevation gain. The trail features wooden footbridges that cross high above the flume and gorge, providing spectacular viewing points of the falls. Hikers can enjoy various viewpoints with safety railings that protect visitors from steep drops while admiring the dramatic waterfall scenery.
3. Owl's Head Trail Overlook
PANORAMIC LAKE VIEWS
Owl's Head Trail Overlook is an easy 3-mile round trip hike starting at 1746 ft of elevation. The trail offers dramatic views of Lake Groton, Kettle Pond, and the Green Mountains of Vermont as its rewarding payoff. The trailhead begins in New Discovery Park, along the dirt road to Osmore Pond, making it accessible for hikers seeking beautiful vistas without extreme difficulty.
4. Foss Mountain Trail
SHORT BUT SWEET
Foss Mountain Trail offers a quick 0.5-mile hiking experience with a 225-foot elevation gain. The trail is considered beginner-friendly while still providing a satisfying climb and scenic views. Hikers can enjoy the natural beauty of the Vermont landscape without committing to a lengthy expedition.
5. Rattlesnake Cliff
CHALLENGING CLIFF ASCENT
Rattlesnake Cliff trail stretches 1.9 miles with a challenging 1,020-foot elevation gain. The trail offers more experienced hikers a moderate to difficult climb with rewarding panoramic views at the summit. Visitors should be prepared for some steep sections that lead to impressive vistas of the surrounding Vermont landscape.
6. Flume Gorge Trail
NATURAL WATER FORMATIONS
The Flume Gorge Trail is a 1.8-mile path featuring impressive natural rock formations and waterfalls with a moderate 477-foot elevation gain. Hikers traverse wooden walkways that wind through a natural gorge with walls rising up to 90 feet tall. The trail offers spectacular views of cascading water, moss-covered rocks, and unique geological features that make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.
7. Spruce Mountain
FIRE TOWER SUMMIT
Spruce Mountain trail offers hikers a moderate challenge through Vermont's beautiful forest landscape. At the summit, visitors can climb a restored fire tower that provides 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for intermediate hikers looking for a rewarding day hike near Chelsea.
8. Appalachian Trail - Norwich Section
HISTORIC LONG-DISTANCE TRAIL
The Norwich section of the Appalachian Trail offers hikers a chance to experience part of the famous 2,190-mile footpath. This segment features moderate terrain through beautiful Vermont forests and occasionally opens to scenic vistas. Hikers can choose to do a day hike on this section or connect to longer portions of the historic trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine.
9. Kettle Pond State Park
SERENE GLACIAL LANDSCAPE
Kettle Pond State Park features several hiking trails around pristine glacial ponds formed during the last ice age. The trails range from easy to moderate difficulty and wind through forests and along shorelines, offering peaceful water views. Hikers can enjoy the tranquil setting and observe local wildlife in this well-preserved natural area.
10. Stowe Pinnacle Trail
REWARDING SUMMIT VIEWS
The Stowe Pinnacle Trail, located in CC Putnam State Forest, offers a mix of natural beauty and hiking challenges. The trail ascends through hardwood forests before reaching an open summit with spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Considered a moderate to difficult hike due to its steady climb, the trail rewards hikers with one of the best vistas in the region.