The Long Trail

Jeff Garmire

4 years ago

Region: New England (Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont)
Length: 272 miles (15-25 days)

Long Trail GPX File Download

Physical Difficulty: Extremely Difficult

Steep climbs and descents, some involving ladders
Muddy, rooty, technical terrain
Fast-changing weather

Logistical Difficulty: Moderate

Well-spaced resupply locations
No permit required
Difficult to get to and from both termini

Season: Summer, Fall
Elevation (Average): ~2,000 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 66,000 feet

Miles / Day (average)	Days to complete (rounded up)
10	27
15	19
18	16
22	13
25	11
30	10

Hiking the Long Trail

The Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States. It is known for its mud, rugged terrain, and spans the length of Vermont from north to south. Most long-distance hikers describe the route as the Appalachian Trail but much more difficult.

Switchbacks are a rare occurrence on the difficult terrain and the grade is rarely flat. But the trail maintains the East Coast style in being dotted with shelters about every 10 miles, and frequent water. Although it is still a green tunnel, the views are more prevalent than on the rest of the Appalachian Trail.

The Long Trail shares the southern 100 miles with the Appalachian Trail and these are the easiest miles of the entire trail. There is a notable difference in both the difficulty and quality of the trail, ranging from the most difficult up north to the least difficult once the trail joins with the AT at Maine Junction.

Many hikers go NOBO to acclimate themselves to the trail before hitting the harder sections in the north.

How to Get to the Long Trail

The trail is difficult to get to on both ends, and it’s best to set up a shuttle ahead of time.

How to get to the Northern Terminus from Burlington

1) Options for getting to Burlington

Fly into Burlington International Airport, then take Amtrak to Essex Junction / Burlington Station. From there, take Greyhound Bus Lines to Burlington.

2) Options for getting from Burlington to Northern Terminus

Take a private shuttle to the Northern Terminus (listed here).

You can also take the the Montpelier Express Bus to the Waterbury Park & Ride, the Jeffersonville Commuter Bus to Jeffersonville, and the St. Albans Express Bus to St. Albans.

How to Get to the Southern Terminus

1) Options for getting to Williamstown, Massachusetts

Fly into Albany International Airport, take Peter Pan Bus Lines to Williamstown— Peter Pan Bus Lines connects to Williamstown from most major cities. From there, the Pine Cobble Trail in Williamstown connects to the Appalachian Trail just south of the Vermont border.

When to Hike the Long Trail

Spring hiking in Vermont starts after mud season, usually around Memorial Day. NOBO hikers can start in June, although that’s peak bug season. The northern peaks might still have snow and ice in June. The prime time for a NOBO hike is mid-August, when the bugs are mostly gone and the air is cooler. A late September, early October finish at Journey’s End (the Northern Terminus) would be at near-peak foliage season. A SOBO hike starting around Labor Day would put you ahead of the falling temperatures and chances of snow and ice in the north.

Long Trail Terrain

The trail can be broken into two segments: the Massachusetts border to Killington, and Killington north to the Canadian border. South of Killington the trail rolls up and down over moderate terrain, climbing a few notable mountains: Glastenbury, Stratton, Bromley, and Killington. North of Killington the terrain turns harder, with hikers scrambling up and down ladders (yes, a real aluminum ladder in Ladder Ravine) and rebar ladders through rocky ravines and on mountainsides.

Logistics: Camping, Permits, Water

Camping: Dispersed camping is permitted along the entire Long Trail, and there are nicely spaced shelters throughout the entire trail. Be aware that dispersed camping is harder, and sometimes impossible, to find north of Maine Junction.

Permits: No permits required

Water: There is plentiful water along the trail, but some sources dry up in August and September during dry years.

Bears: Hikers are required to use a bear box, bear can, or hang all food and refuse 12 feet from the ground and 6 feet from a tree and branch on Green Mountain National Forest Land. The Long Trail and its side trails from Massachusetts to Route 17 (Appalachian Gap) are mostly on GMNF land. The Green Mountain Club recommends using these food storage methods on the entire trail. Most shelters and campsites south of Killington have a bear box.

Resupply: Good resupply options are, from south to north, Bennington, Manchester, Rutland, Waitsfield, and Johnson. The Bus runs from the Long Trail trailhead in Killington to Rutland.

Know Before You Go

Mud: This is a very muddy trail at most points in the summer. Stay on the trail, and don’t make it wider to try to avoid the mud. You’re going to get muddy; just deal with it.

Terrain: This is a VERY hard trail. Mile for mile, you’re gaining significant elevation on tough tread, especially in the northern half. Don’t underestimate the difficulty of this trail, and don’t expect to have 20-mile days right off the bat. It’s also humid in July and August. So add that to the list.

Off-Trail: The Vermont beer scene is fantastic. Any town will have a selection of the state’s finest, but for a truly fine sampling of Vermont’s beers Waterbury can’t be beat. The hitch into Waterbury can be long and difficult, but if you have the time it’s worth it. Runner-up for beer sampling is Waitsfield.

Sleeping Under the Stars: The Long Trail passes over several ski mountains, and sleeping on the peaks is possible in warming huts or under the stars.

Views Worth the Climb: The views are fantastic from old fire towers on Stratton and Belvidere mountains. The fire tower on Glastenbury Mountain is closed because it is considered unsafe.