Danville VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Danville, Vermont.
1. Matsinger Forest
EXPANSIVE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
Matsinger Forest is a 515-acre nature preserve in Danville that serves as the Fairbanks Museum's expansive outdoor classroom. The property contains approximately five miles of easy to moderate trails that are perfect for hiking and exploration. During winter months, snowshoes and/or micro spikes are recommended as the trails are not groomed for cross country skiing.
2. Rodgers Lot Town Forest
LOCAL WOODLAND TRAILS
Rodgers Lot Town Forest offers accessible hiking trails maintained by the Town of Danville. The forest features well-marked paths suitable for casual hikers and families looking to explore local woodland environments. Visitors can enjoy the changing seasonal landscapes while traversing through this community-maintained natural area.
3. Pumpkin Hill Town Forest
SCENIC HILLTOP VIEWS
Pumpkin Hill Town Forest is a local hiking destination featuring trails that wind through Danville's preserved woodland areas. The forest offers moderate difficulty trails that lead to scenic hilltop views of the surrounding countryside. Hikers can experience diverse forest ecosystems while exploring this municipal conservation area.
4. Mount Washington Loop
CHALLENGING MOUNTAIN TREK
Mount Washington Loop via Tuckerman Ravine Trail and Boott Spur Trail is one of the most popular hiking destinations accessible from the Danville region. This challenging route takes hikers to the summit of the Northeast's highest peak, offering stunning alpine views and dramatic mountain landscapes. The loop requires proper preparation and equipment due to its difficulty level and potential for extreme weather conditions.
5. Greenbanks Hollow Trails
HISTORIC NATURAL SETTING
Greenbanks Hollow Trails provide hiking opportunities near the historic Greenbanks Hollow covered bridge area in Danville. These easy to moderate trails wind through a historically significant area that combines natural beauty with Vermont heritage. Hikers can enjoy seasonal wildflowers and forest views while exploring paths near the Matsinger Forest area.
6. Kingdom Trails
EXTENSIVE TRAIL NETWORK
Kingdom Trails is a renowned network of multi-use trails located in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom region. While famous for mountain biking, the system offers excellent hiking opportunities with paths ranging from easy walks to challenging summit routes. Visitors can explore diverse terrain including fields, forests, and ridgelines with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
7. Groton State Forest Trails
DIVERSE FOREST ECOSYSTEM
Groton State Forest offers an extensive network of trails through one of Vermont's largest state forest complexes near Danville. Hikers can choose from numerous paths ranging from easy lakeside walks to moderate summit trails leading to panoramic viewpoints. The forest is known for its diverse ecosystems including wetlands, ponds, and hardwood forests that showcase Vermont's natural beauty in all seasons.
8. Burke Mountain Hiking Trails
SUMMIT VISTAS AWAIT
Burke Mountain Hiking Trails offer a network of paths ascending this prominent Northeast Kingdom peak near Danville. The moderate to difficult trails lead hikers through varied forest environments to spectacular summit views of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Canada. During fall foliage season, these trails provide some of the most spectacular color displays in New England.
9. Peacham Bog Trail
UNIQUE WETLAND ECOSYSTEM
Peacham Bog Trail explores one of Vermont's most significant wetland environments in the town neighboring Danville. This relatively easy trail features boardwalks that allow hikers to experience a rare northern peatland ecosystem without disturbing the fragile environment. Nature enthusiasts can observe unique plant species including carnivorous plants and specialized bog vegetation not commonly found elsewhere in Vermont.
10. Willoughby State Forest Trails
DRAMATIC GLACIAL LANDSCAPE
Willoughby State Forest Trails traverse the dramatic landscape surrounding Lake Willoughby, often called the 'Fjord of the Northeast.' These moderate to difficult trails climb the steep cliff faces of Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor, rewarding hikers with breathtaking views of the glacially-carved lake below. The area is known for its unique alpine plant communities and spectacular scenery throughout all seasons.