Pomfret VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Pomfret, Vermont.
1. Mount Moosilauke Loop via Gorge Brook Trail
CHALLENGING MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
Mount Moosilauke Loop via Gorge Brook Trail is a 7.5-mile loop trail located in the White Mountain National Forest near Pomfret. The trail offers hikers a challenging but rewarding experience with significant elevation gain and spectacular mountain views. Hikers will enjoy diverse terrain through forested areas before reaching the summit with panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.
2. Appalachian Trail - Pomfret Section
ICONIC LONG-DISTANCE PATH
The Appalachian Trail section near Pomfret is a 7-mile black diamond singletrack trail that can be hiked in both directions. This moderately challenging section traverses rolling woods and passes through several open meadows that provide excellent views and picnic opportunities. Hikers will also walk along the historic 'old Kings Highway,' which features an impressive old stone wall.
3. Dupuis Hill Trail
SCENIC MODERATE HIKE
Dupuis Hill Trail is a moderate 2.6-mile round trip hike with approximately 750 feet of elevation gain. The trail offers hikers the chance to experience a section of the Appalachian Trail with excellent views from open meadows along the route. This hike is ideal for family groups and requires a car shuttle if hiking one-way from Joe Ranger Road to Pomfret Road.
4. Amity Pond Natural Area
PEACEFUL COUNTRY TRAILS
Amity Pond Natural Area contains approximately 2.7 miles of trails with several loop options of varying lengths and difficulty levels. The trails offer scenic views of the Vermont countryside from open meadows near the height of land, with vistas of Mt. Ascutney, Killington Peak, and Pico Peak visible to the south. The area features rustic lean-tos for camping on a first-come, first-served basis and is open to various non-motorized activities including hiking, horseback riding, and snowshoeing.
5. Amity Pond Loop
EASY MEADOW VIEWS
Amity Pond Loop is an easy 0.4-mile trail that starts near the entrance sign of Amity Pond Natural Area. The trail passes by a small pond and shelter before climbing wooden steps to a meadow with views of Mt. Ascutney, Killington Peak, and Pico Peak to the south. Hikers will enjoy a gentle descent through woods after passing through fields and apple trees on this accessible route.
6. Mount Tom and The Pogue Trail
HISTORIC CARRIAGE PATH
Mount Tom and The Pogue Trail is a scenic hike that follows historic carriage roads through the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. The moderate trail loops around The Pogue, a man-made pond nestled in the forest, before climbing to the summit of Mount Tom with views of Woodstock and the surrounding valleys. Hikers will appreciate the well-maintained paths and the blend of natural beauty with cultural history throughout this trail system.
7. Quechee State Park Trails
DRAMATIC GORGE VIEWS
Quechee State Park offers hiking trails that provide access to Vermont's deepest gorge, formed by glacial activity approximately 13,000 years ago. The park's trail system allows hikers to explore the rim of the gorge with spectacular views of the Ottauquechee River flowing 165 feet below. Visitors can experience varying difficulty levels from easy walking paths to more challenging trails that descend into the gorge itself.
8. Appalachian Trail - Norwich Section
RIVERSIDE FOREST PATH
The Norwich section of the Appalachian Trail offers hikers a pleasant journey through mixed forests and alongside picturesque streams. This moderate trail segment provides a taste of the famous long-distance path with gentler terrain than some other Vermont sections. Hikers can enjoy seasonal wildflowers, abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, and connections to other local trail networks.
9. Coolidge State Park Trails
MOUNTAIN RIDGE EXPLORATION
Coolidge State Park trails wind through one of Vermont's most scenic areas along the Black River with routes varying from easy nature walks to challenging mountain climbs. The park is situated on the eastern slope of Black Mountain with hiking paths offering spectacular views of the Green Mountains and the valley below. Visitors can explore old-growth forests, mountain streams, and diverse ecosystems while enjoying the area's rich natural and cultural history.
10. Pico Peak Trail
ALPINE SUMMIT CHALLENGE
Pico Peak Trail leads hikers to the summit of Vermont's fifth-highest mountain at 3,957 feet, offering a challenging but rewarding experience. The trail climbs steadily through northern hardwood forests before transitioning to spruce-fir zones near the summit with spectacular panoramic views of the Green Mountains. Hikers can see Killington Peak, the Long Trail ridge, and on clear days, views extend to the Adirondacks in New York and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.