Orwell VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Orwell, Vermont.
1. Mount Independence State Historic Site
HISTORIC REVOLUTIONARY WAR TRAILS
Mount Independence State Historic Site offers six miles of walking and hiking trails that wind past archaeological sites from the Revolutionary War era. The trails range from easy to difficult with options like the Orange Trail (2.5 miles, moderate) and Blue Trail (2.2 miles, difficult) that pass historic locations including batteries, blockhouses, and the general hospital. Hikers can enjoy scenic views of Lake Champlain and the surrounding countryside while exploring this significant historical area.
2. Snake Mountain
PANORAMIC SUMMIT VIEWS
Snake Mountain is a popular hiking destination near Orwell offering a moderate 4-mile round trip trail to a stunning summit. The trail climbs through hardwood forests to an elevation of 1,287 feet where hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of the Champlain Valley, Adirondacks, and Green Mountains. This former site of a hotel in the late 1800s features remnants of the building's foundation and a relatively smooth, well-maintained trail suitable for hikers of various skill levels.
3. Trail Around Middlebury
SCENIC COMMUNITY PATHWAY
The Trail Around Middlebury (TAM) is an 18-mile network of hiking paths that encircle the town of Middlebury, connecting various natural areas and parks. The trail system offers easy to moderate sections with varied terrain including woodland paths, open meadows, and riverside walks along Otter Creek. Hikers can choose shorter segments or complete the entire loop, experiencing the diverse landscapes and ecological features of the Champlain Valley region.
4. Allen Mountain
CHALLENGING WILDERNESS TREK
Allen Mountain presents hikers with a difficult 18-mile round trip journey through the Adirondack wilderness not far from western Vermont. The trail features significant elevation gain, stream crossings, and occasionally muddy conditions as it climbs to the 4,340-foot summit of this remote High Peak. Hikers who complete this challenging route are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and views of surrounding mountains through tree gaps, making it popular with serious hikers and peak-baggers.
5. Street & Nye Mountains
ADIRONDACK PEAK ADVENTURE
Street & Nye Mountains offer a moderate 8-mile round trip hike to two Adirondack High Peaks accessible from western Vermont. The trail follows old logging roads and herd paths as it climbs through dense forests to reach both summits—Street Mountain (4,166 feet) and Nye Mountain (3,895 feet). Though these peaks have limited views compared to other High Peaks, hikers enjoy the wilderness experience, quieter trails, and the satisfaction of summiting two of the Adirondack 46 mountains in a single day.
6. Lincoln Gap via Long Trail
GREEN MOUNTAIN RIDGE WALKING
The Lincoln Gap section of Vermont's iconic Long Trail offers hikers a challenging route along the spine of the Green Mountains. Starting from one of the highest paved roads in Vermont, the trail climbs steeply to Mount Abraham (4,006 feet) before continuing along the ridge to other peaks including Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen. This section features stunning alpine zones with sweeping views, unique plant communities, and the opportunity to experience one of America's oldest long-distance hiking trails.
7. Branbury State Park Trails
LAKESIDE MOUNTAIN PATHS
Branbury State Park offers several hiking trails that connect the shores of Lake Dunmore with the surrounding mountains and forests. The Falls of Lana Trail is particularly popular, leading hikers from the park to a series of beautiful cascades and connecting to the more challenging Rattlesnake Cliffs Trail with its outstanding views. These interconnected paths provide options for both casual walkers and more experienced hikers seeking elevation gain and panoramic vistas of the lake and Champlain Valley.
8. Bomoseen State Park
LAKESIDE FOREST EXPLORATION
Bomoseen State Park features a network of hiking trails winding through 3,576 acres of land along the shores of Lake Bomoseen. The park's Half Moon Pond Trail and Bomoseen Loop offer easy to moderate hiking through mixed hardwood forests with historical remnants of the area's slate quarrying industry. Hikers can enjoy wildlife viewing, lakeside scenery, and interpretive elements that highlight both the natural and cultural history of this western Vermont landscape.
9. Half Moon Pond State Park
TRANQUIL WOODLAND PATHS
Half Moon Pond State Park offers serene hiking trails circling its namesake pond and extending into the surrounding Taconic Mountains. The main loop trail provides an easy 2-mile walk through diverse forest habitats with frequent views of the peaceful, undeveloped pond. More adventurous hikers can connect to the longer trails of Bomoseen State Park or explore the park's quieter northern sections for opportunities to spot wildlife in less-trafficked areas.
10. Hubbardton Battlefield Trails
HISTORIC MILITARY SITE WALKS
The Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site offers several interpretive hiking trails across the landscape where the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Vermont took place in 1777. The network of easy to moderate trails takes visitors through forests and fields to key tactical positions, with interpretive signs explaining the battle's progression and significance. These well-maintained paths combine historical education with natural beauty, offering views of the surrounding mountains and opportunities to understand how the terrain influenced this important military engagement.