Ferrisburgh VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Ferrisburgh, Vermont.
1. Rokeby Museum Trails
HISTORIC WOODLAND PATHS
Rokeby Museum Trails offer free public access to 90 acres of scenic woodland paths with two main routes: the Blue Trail (approximately 0.75 miles) and the Red Trail (approximately 0.6 miles). The trails are restricted to foot travel only during daylight hours and feature highlights such as a pond, waterfall lookout, and historic schoolhouse foundation. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty while learning about the property's rich history through interpretive materials available at the reception desk.
2. Raven Ridge Natural Area
DIVERSE ECOLOGICAL WONDER
Raven Ridge Natural Area features hiking trails that lead up to a ridge offering magnificent views of the Champlain Valley. The moderate difficulty trails wind through an extraordinarily diverse landscape including calcareous cliffs, outcrops, caves, vernal pools, shrub swamps, and streams like Lewis Creek. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the area's remarkable biodiversity, which supports an astounding 142 bird species and serves as part of a forested wildlife corridor connecting multiple conservation areas.
3. Button Bay State Park
LAKESIDE SCENIC TRAILS
Button Bay State Park spans 253 acres located on a bluff in Ferrisburgh along Lake Champlain, offering scenic hiking opportunities with lake views. The trails are generally easy to moderate in difficulty, making them accessible for most visitors looking to enjoy outdoor recreation. Hikers can experience the natural beauty of Vermont's landscape while exploring paths that showcase the park's location along the impressive 130-mile long Lake Champlain.
4. Camel's Hump State Park
ICONIC MOUNTAIN TRAILS
Camel's Hump State Park offers a variety of hiking trails that cater to all skill levels, from accessible paths to challenging summit routes. The park features one of Vermont's most recognizable mountains, with trails that range from beginner-friendly woodland walks to strenuous summit climbs with significant elevation gain. Hikers reaching the summit are rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views of the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, and on clear days, the Adirondacks and White Mountains.
5. Shelburne Pond Natural Area
ACCESSIBLE LAKESIDE LOOP
Shelburne Pond Natural Area features an easy-to-hike, one-mile trail loop maintained by the University of Vermont. The relatively flat trail circles the picturesque pond and offers opportunities to observe diverse wetland ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Visitors can also explore the shoreline, making it an ideal destination for families and casual hikers looking for a peaceful nature experience close to Ferrisburgh.
6. Allis State Park
HISTORIC MOUNTAIN RECREATION
Allis State Park, established in 1928 as Vermont's second developed state park, offers scenic hiking trails on the former Bear Mountain Farm property. The moderate difficulty trails wind through verdant forests and lead to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the surrounding countryside. The park combines natural beauty with historical significance, making it an enriching hiking destination for visitors to the region.
7. Audubon Vermont Green Mountain Center
BIRD-LOVER'S WILDERNESS PARADISE
Audubon Vermont Green Mountain Center encompasses 250 acres of conserved lands with 5 miles of trails open from dawn to dusk daily. The trails range from easy to moderate in difficulty, winding through diverse habitats that support an impressive variety of bird species and other wildlife. Nature enthusiasts can explore these well-maintained paths while learning about local ecology through educational signage and programs offered by the center.
8. Cutler Memorial Forest
PEACEFUL VILLAGE WOODLAND
Cutler Memorial Forest, located off Peace Street near the Dorset Village, offers accessible walking trails through a serene forested landscape. The easy to moderate difficulty trails provide a tranquil hiking experience through mature woodlands with seasonal wildflowers and diverse plant communities. Visitors appreciate the well-marked paths and the peaceful atmosphere of this public woodland preserve.
9. The Pinnacle
ELEVATED FOREST VIEWS
The Pinnacle property consists of a 35-acre forested parcel and an adjacent seven acres offering hiking trails with elevation gain and scenic vistas. The moderate difficulty trails lead hikers through varied terrain to lookout points that showcase the surrounding Green Mountain landscape. This compact but rewarding hiking destination provides an excellent outdoor experience within a reasonable distance from Ferrisburgh.
10. Lewis Creek Trail
RIPARIAN NATURAL CORRIDOR
Lewis Creek Trail follows one of the region's significant waterways mentioned in connection with Raven Ridge, offering streamside hiking through lush riparian habitats. The easy to moderate trail provides opportunities to observe diverse wildlife, particularly bird species that thrive in the creek ecosystem. Hikers can enjoy the soothing sounds of flowing water while traversing this natural corridor that connects several conservation areas in the region near Ferrisburgh.