Weybridge VermontHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Weybridge, Vermont.
1. Weybridge Cave State Park Trails
UNDEVELOPED WILDERNESS EXPLORATION
Weybridge Cave State Park offers a collection of roughly eleven hiking routes weaving through fields and upland forests. Trails range from easy strolls to demanding expert-level routes, catering to both beginners and seasoned hikers. The area is notable for its natural cave system, the largest in Vermont, and excellent opportunities for solitude and wildlife observation.
2. Snake Mountain Trail
SUMMIT WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS
The Snake Mountain Trail leads hikers up through hardwood forests to a summit that provides sweeping views of the Champlain Valley and Adirondack Mountains. This intermediate-to-challenging trail offers a steady climb and is known for its wildflowers and birdwatching. Multiple trailheads, including one in Weybridge, make it accessible from different directions.
3. Trail Around Middlebury (TAM)
SCENIC LOOP TRAIL
The Trail Around Middlebury (TAM) is a 16-mile loop that circles Middlebury and passes through forests, meadows, and along rivers, including a pleasant section bordering Weybridge. Suitable for all skill levels, the trail offers varied terrain and highlights such as wildlife habitats and picturesque vistas of the Adirondacks. Several easy-access points, including the Jackson Trailhead in Weybridge, allow for flexible hiking options.
4. Otter Creek Gorge Preserve
WATERFRONT WOODLAND WALK
Otter Creek Gorge Preserve features a 2-mile trail following the scenic Otter Creek, known for its gorge and tranquil riverside woodlands. The trail is mostly easy and accessible, ideal for leisurely walks and wildlife spotting along the creek. Its network connects to the greater TAM trail system, adding opportunities for extended hikes.
5. Jackson Trailhead Section (TAM)
POND AND MEADOW WALK
The Jackson Trailhead section of the Trail Around Middlebury offers an easy 0.8-mile walk through open meadows, along a pond, and into restored wetlands. This short trail is great for birdwatchers, with abundant waterfowl and muskrats often visible. The gentle terrain makes it suitable for families and casual hikers.
6. Colin O'Neil Class of '97 Trail (TAM)
STUDENT-DESIGNED WOODLANDS
The Colin O'Neil Class of '97 Trail is a scenic segment of the TAM, crafted by students to highlight the area's environmental diversity. This intermediate trail traverses woodlands and meadows near the southern edge of Middlebury College. Hikers enjoy a mix of shaded forest paths and open vistas, with a moderate difficulty suitable for most hikers.
7. Hamilton Road to Otter Creek Section
WETLAND AND WOODLAND LOOP
This section of trail starts at Hamilton Road, winds past a scenic pond and through wetlands favored by waterfowl, and continues into deer habitat before ending at Otter Creek. It offers gentle grades and easy walking, making it ideal for nature study and photography. The proximity to water and fields creates a diverse hiking experience.
8. Colchester Pond Nature Park
WATERFRONT TRAIL ADVENTURE
Colchester Pond Nature Park boasts a 3-mile loop trail encircling a serene pond, providing hikers with tranquil water views and varied habitats. The trail is mostly flat and accessible, suitable for all ages and abilities. It is especially popular in spring and fall for birdwatching and peaceful strolls around the water.
9. Robert Frost Interpretive Trail
POETIC FOREST STROLL
The Robert Frost Interpretive Trail invites hikers to experience gentle, mostly flat woodland paths featuring placards with poems by Robert Frost. This easy trail is accessible for all and provides immersion in the landscapes that inspired Frost's writing. Interpretive signs add educational value to a peaceful, literary hike.
10. Branbury State Park Trails
LAKE AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS
Branbury State Park offers several interconnected trails ranging from easy lakeside walks to moderate climbs through wooded hills. The main highlights include access to Lake Dunmore's shoreline and panoramic views of the Green Mountains. Hikers can enjoy swimming, picnicking, and a variety of trail lengths in a scenic park setting.